The BruPod

In episode 7 of our second series, we're in conversation with doctoral researcher Kiran Garcha about her PhD research in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Kiran explains her work focusing on Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), an inheritable trait affecting around 30% of the population. She delves into the links between SPS and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, and how her...

In Episode 6, Maggie Stephenson discusses her research on the lived experiences of parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Using a critical autoethnographic approach and interpretive phenomenological analysis, Maggie sheds light on the emotional and practical realities often overlooked in policy and practice. She talks about the power of storytelling in chal...

In Episode 5, Udita Bose discusses her research on the menstrual experiences of adolescent girls in Kolkata. She explains how her research tackles the pervasive stigma around menstruation, utilising innovative qualitative methods like drawing and collage, as well as a participatory action research approach. Udita also discusses the critical role of access to water and sanitation facilities in scho...

In Episode 4, Kat Lacey delves into her anthropological research on home education in the UK. Through interviews and observations, Kat explores the rich and often misunderstood culture of home-educating families. She talks about the challenges of accessing a private and protective community, and why it's crucial to represent the diversity and effectiveness of this educational path. Kat also shares...

In Episode 3, Lorraine Groves talks about her research into digital mental health support for university students. Drawing on her work as a wellbeing therapist, Lorraine uses interviews, focus groups, and co-design to create interventions that students will actually use, and stick with. She shares how her PhD blends practical experience with academic research, and why passion and self-care are vit...

In Episode 2, Rita Ekhareafo shares her research on the environmental and health risks posed by abandoned mines, where over a million sites remain largely unassessed. Rita explains how her work is focusing on the impact of abandoned mine sites in Nigeria on local communities, particularly regarding water quality and public health. She details how she is investigating the levels of heavy metals and...

In episode 1, we're in conversation with doctoral researcher Tabitha Carless-Frost about her creative writing PhD. She shares her unique approach to historical reconstruction, focusing on the fascinating, largely untold life of Anna Maria Morandi, an 18th-century wax anatomist. Tabitha delves into the ethical considerations of re-enlivening historical figures who can't speak for themselves, and ho...

In Episode 8, we’re in conversation with Adisa Akintola about his PhD research examining how the colour black is used to describe people of African Caribbean descent and how they feel about that. He explains why he thinks the use of the word black to describe people is archaic and nonsensical and how ultimately he hopes to put a stop to it. He advises those considering undertaking a PhD to do some...

In episode 7 we’re in conversation with Mulkie Al-Hashmi about her research on community entrepreneurship and place branding. She talks about her interest in why some of the unique and authentic entrepreneurship enterprises in rural areas of her home country Oman don't last and how she hopes to change that. She reflects on the challenges of doing a PhD and how she reminds herself that, if it were...

In Episode 6, we’re in conversation with Lawrence Reilly who is researching European Modernist Utopian Literature. He explains how he’s using his research to consider how we can all benefit more from advances in technology rather than just a few individuals. He encourages anyone undertaking a PhD to make the most of other opportunities at their own University whilst undertaking their research, but...

In episode 5 Bandana Adhikary talks about her PhD research looking at the “hidden curriculum” in private schools in Nepal. She explains how she’s getting to grips with what schoolchildren are learning from school as well the formal academic subjects. She explains how a PhD has helped her think more deeply about things and be more questioning of what others have to say.  Find out more about Ba...

In Episode 4 Zoe Tsu talks about her research which looks at how to brand a country, specifically her home country of Taiwan. She explains how she’s exploring innovative approaches for leveraging Taiwan's semiconductor expertise as a strategic asset for nation branding, particularly in light of ongoing challenges and tensions in the region. She concludes with some sound advice for those considerin...

Ep 3 Ash on the sexuality and reproductive rights of disabled women   In Episode 3 Aswathi Soman discusses her PhD research looking at sexuality and disabled women. She talks openly about her concerns as a disabled woman herself to change the law to better protect the reproductive freedoms and rights of women like her. She offers those considering doing a PhDs some advice on how to pick...

In Episode 2 Miguel Meirim discusses his research looking at the intricate dynamics of crime and education. He explains how he is using advanced econometric techniques and why he is so passionate about applying economic principles to critically examine and address pressing societal issues, specifically those influencing policy formulation and community development. Miguel tells those thinking of d...

In Episode 1 Robin Longobardi Zingarelli discusses his research focusing on trans and queer theory and video games as a medium. He talks about how intense it can feel to incorporate personal experiences into PhD research and why it’s important to have people to support you through that.   Find out more about Robin on LinkedIn   Read a full transcript of Robin's episode   Credit...