GCU Common Good Podcast

Professor Penny Endersby, the Chief Executive of the Met Office, joins the second instalment of the COP26 Podcast Series to discuss the role the institution is playing in tackling the climate emergency. Professor Endersby outlines how the Met Office works with the UK Government to drive its policy on climate change, how it collaborates with its counterparts across the world, and whether or not cli...

The GCU Common Good Podcast is delighted to bring you the COP26 Podcast Series, a series that focuses on climate change and the bid to tackle the climate emergency in the build-up to COP26. The first episode stars Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of the Centre for Climate Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, to talk about the concept of climate justice, what it means, and how it can be achie...

Shirley Tulloch and Melanie Armstrong join the Common Good Podcast to talk about GCU's Menopause Cafe, a space where students and staff from across the University can talk about their experiences of the menopause. The pair discuss the genesis of the cafe, how they have both benefitted from participating in it, and where they see it going in the future.

Tabita Kristel, a final-year student on the Health Psychology programme, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her work with Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and how she provided remote psychological support to stroke survivors and their carers over the lockdown. She also talks about her journey in academia and her hopes and aspirations for the future.

Tabitha Nyariki and Priscilla Otuagoma, full-time officers with the GCU Students' Association, join the Common Good Podcast to talk about how the University is marking Black History Month. They outline the table of events before looking at how the meaning of Black History Month has changed over the last year. They also discuss their roles at the Students' Association.

PhD researcher Lauren Beatty and sports historian Dr Fiona Skillen join the Common Good Podcast to talk about a new study that charts the development in women's golf in Scotland over the past four decades. The pair touch on their findings and how they can be used in a practical context, before exploring how the women's game began (and busting a few myths along the way). They also discuss what golf...

Rebecca Meechan, a Student Communications Assistant, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about the small changes she's made to her behaviour and lifestyle in a bid to fight climate change. Rebecca talks about her burgeoning interest in this topic, how she's ditched fast fashion, and her hopes for the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow. She also discusses the Climate Group’s Young Le...

Daniel Baxter, a Lecturer in International Tourism and Event Management, joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss his research into drag events and how they can boost the happiness and wellbeing of their audiences. Daniel talks about the rise of drag over the past 15 years and RuPaul's influence on its mainstream appeal, how LGBTQ+ audiences have meshed with their cis-het counterparts at shows, an...

Dr Kareena McAloney joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss her research into people's mental health and resilience during the first lockdown of spring 2020. Dr McAloney outlines her findings and how they can be used in a practical context, as well as discussing her career in academia.

Student Events Co-ordinator Jessica Walker joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about one of the most important events of every new student's time at university: Freshers' Week. Jessica explains what Freshers' Week will look like as lockdown restrictions lift, the logistics and planning involved in such a high-profile event, and how her own role at GCU has changed over the last 18 months.

With lockdown restrictions across the country lifting, Professor John Lennon, the Director of the Moffat Centre at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the return of Glasgow's tourism industry. Professor Lennon explains how the industry has been decimated by the pandemic and why it will take years for it to recover. He also goes on to discuss what Glasgow needs to do to become a more m...

Dr Danielle Hutcheon joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the Men's Sheds initiative and how it supports the mental and physical wellbeing of men around the world. She also explains how it feeds into the Sheds for Sustainable Development Project, which created a toolkit to increase the number of Men's Sheds in the UK and Ireland.

Dr Tuleen Boutaleb joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about the ways in which GCU is tackling racism on its campuses. In this wide and varied discussion, Dr Boutaleb touches on concepts like microaggressions and decolonising the curriculum, as well as the nine steps the University is taking to eradicate racism.

Dr Elena Dimova joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her research into alcohol labelling and why alcoholic products in Scotland should carry mandatory health warnings. Dr Dimova also discusses the challenges in changing Scotland's drinking culture and how big a part alcohol plays in our society.

Professor Valerie Webster joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the Aurora Programme, a leadership development initiative for women and people who identify as women working in higher education. Professor Webster discusses the importance of Aurora and how it has led to systematic changes at GCU, as well as how it can enhance and develop the careers of our female members of staff.

Julie Fisher, Head of Admissions, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the clearing process at GCU and how prospective students can apply for a place to study at the University. Julie talks through the clearing journey and gives hints and tips for applicants, before discussing her wider role at GCU. For more information on clearing visit: https://clearing.gcu.ac.uk/

Dr Val Ness joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss her research into the behaviour of nurse independent practitioners (NIPs) and the discovery that two-thirds feel pressured into prescribing their patients with antibiotics, even if they might not need them. Dr Ness outlines why NIPs are motivated to do this and how they can better manage patient expectations, as well as the "global crisis" surro...

Dr Cara Connell, Programme Leader of the International Fashion Branding course, joins the Common Good Podcast to preview the GCU Fashion Showcase, one of the highlights of the University calendar. Dr Connell outlines the format of the showcase and the kind of designs on show, as well as how sustainability is a key theme. Dr Connell also explores how the fashion programmes at GCU prepare our studen...

Dr George Loumakis joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss his research into how Scotland's lochs hold the the potential to increase the country's solar power production through the use of floating panels. Dr Louamkis outlines his three-month research project to map lochs to determine their suitability to host floating solar panels and how his data can be practically implemented.

Glasgow Caledonian University is marking Carers Week (June 7 to 13) by highlighting the work we do to support our staff and student carers. In this episode of the Common Good Podcast, Gail Herrigan from the Professional Services talks about her experiences as a carer and how GCU has helped her balance her career and her caring responsibilities. Gail is joined by Adrian Lui, GCU's Equality and Dive...

Dr Alec Wersun, a Senior Lecturer in the Glasgow School for Business and Society, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about PRME, the Principles for Responsible Management Education, and how GCU has adopted this United Nations-supported initiative to build the business leaders of the future. Dr Wersun charts PRME's journey since it was introduced to the University in 2012, how its been woven int...

Professor Sebastien Chastin joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about his groundbreaking research into "the perfect cocktail" of exercise and rest that will lead to longer and healthier lives. Professor Chastin outlines the "three-to-one" formula, where three minutes of physical activity offsets every hour spent sitting, and how he and a team of international researchers carried out their study....

Julie Duncan, the Head of Conference and Events at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the future of the events industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. She talks how she and her team were affected by the lockdown, the challenges of hosting online-only events, and what the future holds for conferences as we approach the easing of restrictions.

GCU Students' Association Student President Susan Docherty joins the Common Good Podcast to reflect on her 12 months in office and how she and her team have supported our students throughout the pandemic. Susan discusses being the Student President during "these unprecedented times", the importance of positive mental amongst the student community, the challenges of remote working and her plans for...

Mark Majewsky Anderson, the Director of the Research and Innovation Office at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about social innovation and how it ties in with our mission as the University for the Common Good. Mark explains what we mean by the term “social innovation”, GCU’s participation in two recent social-innovation projects and how the concept will evolve and develop over the next d...