...Explained!

Over the last decade or so, developing technology in the film and TV industry has allowed for the creation of increasingly photorealistic CG characters in live action - including the digital resurrection of deceased actors. But in the last couple of years, the impact of AI has accelerated that process substantially, seemingly making it easier than ever to bring yesterday’s stars back to life. But....

The best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie continues to draw readers in. No matter how much time passes since Christie's last novel, books keep selling while TV and film adaptations abound. So, in this episode of Southampton Solent University's ...explained! podcast, leading Agatha Christie historian, Dr Mark Aldridge is on hand to answer why. An Associate Professor of Screen Histories...

Trigger warning: this episode contains references to body image, body weight and cosmetic surgery. The beauty industry is booming, but is our consumption of it always good for us? In this episode of Southampton Solent University's ...explained! podcast, Lecturer in Makeup and Hair Design, Charlotte Logue dives into the complex world of beauty standards. Learn more about Southampton Solent Universi...

The maritime industry is as big a business as you can get and, right here in Southampton, it contributes a whopping £2.5bn to the UK economy. But, like every industry, there are challenges to be navigated. From a skills shortage to the climate crisis, the maritime industry is facing a moment of opportunity and obligation – as explored during this year’s World Maritime Day. In the first episode of...

By 2032, the live events industry – music festivals, sports, concerts and gigs – is estimated to reach a value of $1.2trillion. But while those of us in the audience just see a slick, well-polished show, there’s a vast amount of work going on just out of sight, and huge numbers of people working with the latest technology bring it to life.   While Covid-19 saw an exodus among highly skil...

When we think of fashion, there are few events that spark the kind of fervour that comes with the Met Gala. First introduced in 1948 as a fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the gala brings together the biggest names in the creative industries, promising iconic looks and a whole lot of reaction. This year’s event took place on Monday 5 May, and there’s a lot to unpack. But beyond...

The care we receive in our most vulnerable moments is what shapes our experiences of healthcare. A huge chunk of that care is delivered by a nurse, yet their role often flies under the radar.  In this episode Robyn's joined by Solent’s Simulated Learning Nursing Lead, Joelle Salje, to explore the vital role of nursing, take a look back at the history of the profession, and discuss what it mea...

The maritime industry might not be something you think about, much, but it’s huge ... and it’s essential infrastructure for modern life. Shipping is the backbone of modern trade, transporting 90% of the world’s commodities... cars, TVs, food; you name it, it’s been in a shipping container somewhere along its way to you.  But the industry is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions...

Sampling has always been in use within the music industry, and it’s a rare song that doesn’t owe something to the artists who came before... but in recent years we’ve seen an influx of headlines centred on plagiarism lawsuits – often involving some of the biggest stars.  So what's that about? Is music getting more derivative? Is the industry getting more litigious? To help uncover the answers...

The Oscars are back on the telly on Sunday 2 March, so in this episode we’re diving into the world’s biggest awards night. The Academy Awards are emotional, celebratory and sometimes controversial.   But are they still relevant?  Joined by connoisseurs of cinema Dr Stuart Joy and Dr Adam Vaughan, on this episode Robyn's exploring what's changed over the awards' 97 years? What d...

In this episode Robyn's celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Together with Solent's Head of Science and Engineering, Sarah Radif, and Dr Janet Bonar – Course Leader Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering – she'll explore the progress made in STEM, and discussing what steps need to be taken to ensure gender equality across these fields. You can find out more about Internat...

This week on ...explained!, we’re exploring the changing world of journalism and how social media is changing the way we understand news. To tackle the subject, Robyn is joined by Andy Ford, Senior Lecturer Sport Journalism and a qualified journalist with more than 30 years’ experience across national and regional print, online, radio and television media, including ITV and Sky Sports. Together th...

The UK video games industry is worth around £6 billion, employing hundreds of thousands across the country - and according to analysis platform Statista, 37.7 million people in the UK play video games, almost half of them women.  Gaming's come a long way from its humble, male-dominated roots - but in going mainstream and broadening its appeal, has it lost some core part of its identity? And d...

According to the Health and Fitness Association, nearly 11% of gym members join in January, and around 80% of New Year’s Resolutions are abandoned by February. Google searches for health and fitness also peak at the beginning of a year.   So what gets us on a health kick at the start of a new year? Welcome to ...Explained! , the Southampton Solent University podcast where we attempt...