UCL Minds

This week we ask which companies oppose climate action — and whether ownership structures make a difference. Most people see action on climate change as essential. But powerful lobbies continue to push the other way. Understanding what drives corporate opposition to climate policy therefore matters enormously. New research examines one underexplored factor: company ownership structures. Are public...

In this episode, host Jade Hunter delves into Grand Challenges-funded project, Visible CoSpace Study - a youth-led, co-produced study aimed at addressing the health inequalities faced by young people from marginalised communities. Joined by project co-leads Dr Keri Wong and Dr Lusi Morhayim, the discussion uncovers the critical role of youth clubs and community spaces in supporting the mental heal...

In Episode 6 of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley speaks with Professor Carolyn McGettigan, former LGBTQ+ Committee Chair at UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences about pronouns what they are why they matter and how they support gender inclusion in everyday work and learning. Carolyn shares their personal journey to using they them pronouns explains why not everyone feels able or ready to share p...

In this episode of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley Isibor sits down with Professor Anna Cox (Vice Dean for EDI, 2019–2024) to unpack what EDI leadership looks like in practice. Anna shares how she first stepped into leadership through Athena Swan work, why fairness sits at the heart of her approach and what helped Brain Sciences make meaningful progress over five years. Together, they e...

Despite mine closures and talk of phasing out, global coal usage is at an all-time high, with countries like the UK still importing coal for key industries. Dr Andrew Seaton, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how coal never truly disappeared but evolved in form and influence. From Britain's re-importation of coal to global surges in consumption,...

The UK faces a deepening housing crisis. As the population grows, pressure on an already stretched housing stock continues to mount. Experts estimate that up to 4.5 million new homes may be needed to close the gap. That’s a shortfall that’s driving economic strain and worsening issues from social inequality to homelessness. In this episode Professor Priti Parikh is joined by Professor Stanimira Mi...

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, hosts Zhitong Li and Phoebe Chen sit down with pianist and UCL Management Science student Kaito Mizukoshi for a conversation that flows between introspection, culture, and the unexpected rhythms of life with ADHD. Kaito opens up about receiving his ADHD diagnosis in London, years after growing up in Japan where the condition is often overloo...

Discover how technology and innovative finance are helping communities protect forests and build sustainable economies. In this episode of Life of PIE, host Onye Idoko speaks with Nicolas Prieto, MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship alum and CEO of climate tech startup Voltiva, and Tereza Bízková., co-founder of Refi Medellin. They explore real-world examples of crypto and regenerative...

Date of episode recording: 2025-10-02 Duration: 00:47:48 Language of episode: English Presenter: Steve Fleming, Selina Wray Guests: Caswell Barry, Lucy Unwin Producer: Patrick Robinson

In this episode, Onya speaks with Mara Stoll (UCL MSc Prosperity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and theologian Dr. David Dark about how hermeneutics, the art of interpretation, can transform social entrepreneurship. Together, they unpack why understanding our own assumptions and a community’s lived reality is key to avoiding well-intentioned missteps. Discover how applying hermeneutic principles...

Cities in Flux - Rethinking Temporary Urbanism and Adaptability Can mega-cities use adaptability and temporary urbanism to ignite innovation, support communities, and become more resilient? While adaptability sparks fresh and innovative approaches to urban design and planning, can city planners adopt tools like - temporary urbanism and meanwhile use - to create longer-term benefits for more liveab...

In this episode of The Bartlett Review, Professor Dame Henrietta Moore, Founder and Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity, and Arthur Kay, Advisor to Innovo Group and founder of several technology and urban design companies, discuss their new book, Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars. They explore the social, financial, ethical, and environmental impacts...

Episode title: Ageing Playfully: Transforming perspectives on growing older In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, host Rochelle Burgess is flying solo, and dives into the transformative power of play in the context of ageing. Joined by Rachel Colles, a professional performer and ‘Elderflower’ with Hearts and Minds, and Dr Carrie Ryan, a lecturer in Creative Health at UCL, the discussion expl...

Dr Mehiyar Kathem speaks with Dr Mohammed Jassim on rebuilding Mosul University’s Central Library after ISIS. Date of episode recording: 2025-08-01 Duration: 24:08 Language of episode: English Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem Guests: Dr Mohammed Jassim Producer: Mehiyar Kathem Transcript link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-dr-mohammed-jassim

In the third episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter speaks with Dr Flaminia Ronca, Evie Watson, and Katie Sykes about the Active Minds Project at UCL, an innovative pilot exploring how students’ physical activity and lifestyle habits impact their mental wellbeing and cognitive function. Through wearable technology and behavioural insights, the team is working to ref...

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval, the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converging to shape healthier, more inclusive spaces for...

Beyond the neglectful state: unpacking the intersection of public health and personal freedom In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess tackle the concept of the "nanny state". Alongside guests Adam Briggs and Professor James Wilson, they delve into the delicate balance between government intervention and individual freedom in the realm of p...

AI’s influence on planning and cities is no longer theoretical—it is already transforming how urban environments are designed, managed, and experienced. While it holds great promise, can the sector address political, ethical, and practical challenges to ensure these technologies deliver on their potential for better, fairer cities? Prof. Mike Raco and Nissa Shahid join Prof. Lauren Andres to discu...

How can the history of enslavement be recognised in the way we shape and regenerate cities today? In this special episode marking 20 years of the Bartlett’s Sustainable Heritage MSc, we explore how cities can confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, the role of community-led projects, and how heritage can drive more inclusive and meaningful urban change. MSc, Professor Kalliopi Fousek...

Dr. Bzhar Othman Ahmed, history lecturer at the University of Soran, Kurdistan, Iraq, discusses his research on the Jewish community in Koya, Iraq from 1918 to 1951. Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-bzhar-othman-ahmed Date of episode recording: 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z Duration: 38:13 Language of episode: English Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem Guests:...

This week we ask: could the University be a wild place? A resilient ecosystem of biodiversity, interdependent relationships, entanglements and emergence? What would it look like if we let go of command, control and management, and allowed the University to grow and thrive in ways that can't be predicted in advance but might exceed our wildest dreams? Join us to celebrate the achievements of Prof....

What are the prospects for constitutional reform in the UK? What options are on the government’s agenda? What might actually happen? And will any such changes be adequate for resolving underlying problems? Politics in the UK has been in turmoil in recent years—Brexit, Covid, movements for independence in Scotland and Northern Ireland, rule-breaking Prime Ministers, and now the shockwaves from Dona...

This week we ask what drives ideological disagreement in politics? How far do people on left and right disagree with each other because they have fundamentally different moral intuitions or for other reasons? Polarisation is a defining feature of contemporary politics, raising concerns among many observers. People on the left and right—liberals and conservatives—often seem to inhabit entirely diff...

This week we’re looking at the representation of disabled people in politics. Why are there so few disabled politicians? What impact does that have? And what can be done to level the playing field? While one in five people in the UK is disabled, the proportion of disabled individuals among elected representatives is significantly lower. Despite broader discussions on inclusive politics, disability...

This week we’re looking at AI and public services. How far could AI tools help to tackle stagnant public sector productivity? What dangers are associated with AI adoption? And how can these dangers be addressed? Artificial intelligence is increasingly being touted as a game-changer across various sectors, including public services. But while AI presents significant opportunities for improving effi...