Oxford Brookes Unscripted

In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we talk to criminologist and PhD student Simon McFadden, whose work explores the strange intersection of dark tourism, screen-induced tourism, and 'dark fandom.' From Jack the Ripper-associated sites in London to crime tours in Milwaukee and Los Angeles, Simon takes us into the shadowy spaces where culture, crime, and curiosity collide. Drawing on fiel...

In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we’re joined by PhD student and artist Sylvia Morgado de Queiroz from the School of Arts, whose practice-led research reshapes how we think about diversity, participation, and belonging in arts institutions. From Oxford to Rio de Janeiro, Sylvia has worked directly with communities to explore what makes people feel welcome in museums and galleries — an...

What happens when societal stigma shapes how we treat mental illness? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted Podcast Series, we explore the complex relationship between public attitudes and mental health treatment in the UK. Oxford Brookes undergraduate student, Georgia-Mae Williams-Sims, delves into her research on how stigma influences the perceived acceptability and necessity of antidepre...

In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted Podcast Series, Professor Marcel Vellinga takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of vernacular architecture - buildings created by communities for their own needs, often without formal architects. He explains why these structures are much more than quaint relics; they embodied cultural identity, social values and sustainable design long before...

In this episode, we dive into the FORTEe project, an innovative European study exploring how exercise combined with digital health technologies could help children and young people during cancer treatment. Joined by Professor Eila Watson who is a Professor in Supportive Cancer Care, and Hayley Marriott and Dr Alba Solera-Sanchez, who are both researchers in this project at Oxford Brookes Universit...

In this episode, we speak with Dr Sam Thrower, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Oxford Brookes University, about the vital but often overlooked role that parents play in youth sport. Drawing upon over 10 years of experience, Sam explains how parent education and support interventions can have a powerful impact on young athletes' participation, long-term development, and performa...

In this episode, we dive into Banking on Health – a project empowering young people and their families to cook nutritious, affordable meals while building essential life skills. Led by Dr Shelly Coe and Dr Sarah-Louise Mitchell, researchers at Oxford Brookes University, the initiative tackles the growing challenge of food insecurity and low nutritional literacy by delivering hands-on workshops in...

The role of sustainability practitioners is evolving—so how can education and industry keep up? In this episode, we explore the shifting skill sets required for sustainability careers and what this means for workplace training and higher education. We discuss the importance of education-industry partnerships and how research informs both organisational strategies and teaching approaches. Speaking...

In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Dr Syahirah Abdul Rahman (Shera), Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, explores the transformative potential of commercialising SHAPE research - Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts for People and the Economy. She challenges misconceptions around commercialisation, explaining how it’s not just about profit but about creating sustainable...

Oxford Brookes Research Area Lead and Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Dr Sarah-Louise Mitchell discusses her paper: Refocusing marketing effort to support net-positive social impact. How can marketing go beyond profit to drive real social change? In this episode, Sarah-Louise explores how nonprofits, local government, businesses and researchers can refocus their marketing efforts to achieve net-posi...

Who really pays for policing football matches? In this episode, Oxford Brookes Lecturer in Criminology, Dr Rich Hester explores the complex world of special police services, cost recovery, and the ongoing tensions between football clubs and law enforcement. From high-risk fixtures to legal battles over policing costs, we dive into the challenges of keeping the game safe—and who should foot the bil...

How did the pandemic change the landscape of maternal healthcare? Senior Lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes, Dr Antonia Mackay, explores the digitisation of maternal healthcare during COVID-19, revealing the challenges, unintended consequences, and lasting impact of shifting essential care to virtual platforms. From the increased role of surveillance in maternity services to the isolation fe...

In this episode, we explore efforts to embed Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into academic library collections and practices at Oxford Brookes University. From responding to Black and BIPOC students' requests for more diverse content, to the challenges of overcoming systemic biases, we discuss what’s been achieved, what still needs work, and the wider implications for libraries in the fac...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr Jason Danely, a reader in Anthropology of Japan at Oxford Brookes, shares his ethnographic research on the lives of elderly individuals affected by Japan’s prison system. From stories of social isolation and repeat incarceration to the transformative work of community organisations, Jason highlights the challenges of reintegration and the urgent need for a mor...

Join us as we delve into the world of entrepreneurial wellbeing with Dr Jeremy Zwiegelaar, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Business at Oxford Brookes University. Explore the intricate balance between personal fulfillment and business success, and discover how strategies for wellbeing can empower small business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive. From navigating challenges faced by gender and imm...

In this episode, we delve into the findings of Melanie Diggle’s near-completed PhD research on bereaved caregivers' experiences with end-of-life care for individuals with advanced heart failure. We'll discuss the background, research methodology, key findings, and the implications for future practice and research. Join us for an insightful conversation on enhancing end-of-life care and supporting...

We sit down with Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Oxford Brookes, Dr Ethel Burns, to discuss her pioneering research on water immersion during labor and birth. Ethel shares her insights into how water birth can significantly enhance the childbirth experience, offering clear benefits such as reduced medical interventions and increased maternal satisfaction. Join us as we explore the evidence behind...

Join us as we discuss the pioneering work of Ka Yan Hess, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, and Dr Tanya Rihtman, Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Programme Lead, both in the Department of Sport Health Sciences and Occupational Thepary at Oxford Brookes, on integrating environmental reasoning and sustainability into occupational therapy education. This episode de...

Oxford Brookes Senior Lecturer in Child Development and Special Educational Needs/ Inclusion, Dr Jon Reid explores the critical issues affecting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, focusing on vulnerability, marginalisation, and the alarming rise in school exclusions. We also discuss the often overlooked emotional labor of teachers, their wellbeing, and the support they r...

Dr Zoe Jordan, Senior Lecture in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes, and Dr Cathrine Talleraas, Senior Researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute talk with us about the intricate relationship between European migration policies and their impact on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our discussion centers on the paradox of EU efforts to redu...

In this episode we explore the profound impact of digitisation, stemming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, on executive coaching and the coaching industry. Dr Brajesh Bajpai, who is an accomplished executive coach discusses with us the broader impact of digitalisation on organiations and their leaders as well as the crucial role of executive coaches in guiding leaders through digital transfor...

Oxford Brookes Research Fellow and Social Historian, Dr Annie Skinner takes us on a journey through time to explore the history of stigmatisation of children in care and outlines the landscape of today. Annie's research focuses on identifying the hidden and unheard perspectives of the children themselves and liberates the silent voices behind these social histories.

Oxford Brookes Subject Co-ordinator and Senior Lecturer of Photography, Dr Grant Scott discusses his new book: Inside Vogue House, and tantalises us with a selection of compelling stories from the 60 years history of this iconic institution. Grant does not describe himself as a photographer instead he sees photography as a tool to enable him to communicate visual storytelling. Grant hosts a weekly...

Join us for an insightful discussion on the Lung I-ACT project, a collaborative initiative between Oxford Brookes University and De Montfort University, funded by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Discover how this project is developing a vital resource to help Lung Cancer Nurses engage patients in conversations about clinical trial enrolment. Hear about key findings from focus groups with pa...

Oxford Brookes Principle Lecturer in Law, Dr Alex Powell explains the changes to the UK asylum system introduced by the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, alongside the controversial Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda. These legal shifts have sparked significant debate, with some refugee organisations claiming the 'abolition' of the right to asylum and the Un...