THE Connect

In the UK and worldwide, the gender health gap continues to create significant challenges when it comes to women’s health, with women spending around 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health than men. So why is the gender health gap still so wide – and what can be done about it? In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Shakila Thangaratinam, professor of wo...

The University of Exeter and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have launched an Accelerated Law Programme, giving students the opportunity to combine an undergraduate degree at SFU with a Bachelor of Laws at Exeter. The six-year dual degree aims to broaden students’ perspectives through international and interdisciplinary study, while creating new opportunities for collaboration between the two instit...

Higher education is central to research and knowledge creation. But today, institutions are being challenged to go one step further by turning their excellence into innovation, entrepreneurship and measurable impact. Programmes such as the Higher Education Initiative by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, recognise this shift, helping institutions strengthen their innovation capac...

Neurological disorders affect more than 3 billion people worldwide, representing the leading cause of disease burden and the second leading cause of death. In response to this global challenge and aligned with the World Health Organization’s action plan for epilepsy and other neurological disorders, the Liverpool Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Centre, known as LINC, brings together nearly 170 rese...

Higher education participation varies significantly across the UK. In areas known as higher education cold spots – regions with historically low rates of university enrolment – businesses often struggle to access the skilled talent they need, limiting both regional and national economic growth. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn is joined by Mark Durkin, pro vice-chanc...

Social and emotional learning (SEL) refers to the development of students’ abilities to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions and navigate complex social environments. While traditionally emphasised in primary and secondary education, SEL is increasingly recognised as critical in higher education. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host A...

The Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at City University of Hong Kong focuses on shaping students to be compassionate about animal welfare and nurturing their development as emerging veterinary scientists In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Sreethu Sajeev speaks with Vanessa Barrs, dean of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, and...

Led by researchers at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, the LINKS project evaluates and strengthens evidence-based early-childhood programmes in conflict-affected countries, developing culturally grounded models that connect quality early education with long-term social cohesion and peacebuilding outcomes. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with...

The Centre for Precision Technologies at the University of Huddersfield advances precision engineering through integrated research, doctoral training and close collaboration with industry partners. Through diverse funding streams and strategic innovation efforts, the centre delivers both fundamental research and real-world manufacturing impact while preparing for emerging technologies. In this epi...

Digital technologies give universities powerful ways to enhance how students learn, but the real challenge lies in using them effectively. Too often, new tools are introduced without input from those who will use them, leading to poor adoption. At Queen’s University Belfast, the Centre for Technological Innovation, Mental Health and Education collaborates with clinicians and educators to design im...

A partnership between University of Exeter and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has seen the two institutions collaborating to share resources, expertise and ideas relating to sport science. The partnership is addressing the needs of India’s rapidly growing sports sector, improving outcomes for elite athletes and increasing participation at the grassroots level. In this episode of the THE...

From the science of hearing and spatial perception to innovations in sound design, psychoacoustic research is transforming the way we listen. Audio and psychoacoustic engineering explore how humans perceive sound and how researchers use that knowledge to shape audio technology. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Hyunkook Lee, a professor of audio and psycho...

The communities of microorganisms living within and around us shape the way infections begin, progress and resolve. By studying the microbiome alongside pathogens, researchers are uncovering why some individuals are more resilient than others and how this insight could transform prevention and treatment strategies. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Jo Foth...

UK railway research is making rail transport more competitive, environmentally friendly and passenger-centric – both at home and abroad. The Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield works with academic, industry and government partners to ensure that its research has real-world impact. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Paul Allen, di...

Rapid advances in AI are fundamentally altering how work is organised worldwide. Enterprises are rethinking how they operate, roles are being redesigned, and the skills required to succeed are evolving faster than ever. In response to these changes, Huawei has published a white paper, ICT Job Roles and Skills in the Intelligent World, offering guidance for organisations, educators and policymakers...

The landscape of forensic investigation and national security is rapidly evolving, demanding a sophisticated fusion of academic rigour and operational experience. At the forefront of this movement is the University of Huddersfield, which is taking a pioneering approach to investigative psychology. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with John Synnott, who is dire...

As AI transforms every facet of society, universities face the challenge of rethinking how we learn, teach and innovate. The National University of Singapore's School of Computing is rethinking its curriculum to move beyond traditional knowledge delivery and embrace AI-enabled, lifelong learning. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Tulika Mitra, dean of the...

Investigations into the Holocaust and other instances of mass violence require a compassionate approach that brings together disciplines from forensic science to poetry. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Caroline Sturdy Colls, a professor of Holocaust archaeology and genocide investigation at the University of Huddersfield. This episode is sponsored by the...

Faced with the urgency and severity of the climate crisis, and growing volumes of disinformation sowing doubt and confusion, universities must work together to ensure that those charged with making decisions affecting the future of our planet are provided with the robust, evidenced analysis they need. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Stuart Brocklehurst,...

The global population is projected to hit nearly 10 billion by 2050, creating a significant rise in demand for food. Societies urgently need to rethink traditional sources of protein, keeping environmental, ethical and health implications at the forefront of research. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Sreethu Sajeev speaks with Weibiao Zhou, head of the Department of Food Science an...

Advances in neuroscience and AI are improving our understanding of how the brain develops, ages and becomes vulnerable to disease. As scalable technologies bring the possibility of population-level brain health monitoring closer to reality, researchers are looking to a future where neuroscience, medicine and AI converge to transform care and prevention. In this episode of the THE Connect podcast,...

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, produced in partnership with Nazarbayev University, host Phil Baty speaks with Waqar Ahmad, president of Nazarbayev University. They discuss the universities rapid rise in global university rankings, the landscape of higher education in Kazakhstan, and Ahmad's vision for the future.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, produced in partnership with City University of Hong Kong, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Benjamin Horton, dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong. They discuss the urgent and grave threat that climate collapse poses to communities and ecosystems. Horton explains the vital role that higher education has to play in pr...

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, produced in partnership with the University of Liverpool, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Iain Buchan, W.H. Duncan Chair in Public Health Systems and associate pro vice-chancellor for innovation, and Procheta Sen, lecturer in computer science at the University of Liverpool. They discuss the university's the AI for Life research frontier, which places hum...

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, produced in partnership with City University of Hong Kong, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Christine Huang, head of communication and media at City University of Hong Kong. They discuss how rapid advances in healthcare technologies and the constant flow of information shape the public's understanding of and response to health risks. Standing at the inter...