UCL Minds

Can your hair type really prevent you from participating in neuroimaging research? In this episode, Beverley Isibor sits down with Dwaynica Greaves, a PhD candidate at UCL, to unpack the scope of a research study funded by the Centre for Equality Research in Brain Sciences. Along with the research team, Antonia Hamilton and Isla Jones, Dwaynica discusses how hair types and styles can impact partic...

In this episode, we host Dr Elise Burton, an historian of science, race and nationalism in the modern Middle East and an Assistant Professor at the Institute of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at the University of Toronto. As part of a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss some of Dr Burton's findings from her recent book, “Genetic Crossroads: The Middle East and the Science of Hu...

In Episode 5 of Campus Conversations, Kate, Sophia and Nadia interview Dr Sonia Greenidge, Head of the UCL Counselling Services, to discuss the role of counselling in supporting students' mental well-being. They explore the importance of seeking help, the common misconceptions about counselling, and the skills counsellors use to create a safe and supportive environment. The conversation also highl...

In episode 04 of Campus Conversations, Keira and Inara are joined by Student Success Manager Luther where they dive into the impacts of pop culture on society. From cancel culture and social media’s influence to the role of reality TV and news consumption, they explore how these trends shape our perceptions, values, and everyday lives. The discussion also touches on the balance between staying inf...

Today Olivia is joined by Dr Jessica Farren, a consultant gynaecologist at University London College Hospital (UCLH) with a passion for early pregnancy care, and for empowering women with education about their health. Jessica’s PhD focused on the psychological impacts of early pregnancy loss. Today we dive into her work by discussing what these psychological impacts are, and how best to support wo...

In the months of both Ramadan and Lent, Generation One joins in with reflections on the relationship between food, community, and health with our fifth episode of Season 5. Hosts Mark and Simon explore not only the impacts of climate change on global food availability, but societal behaviour around food and decision-making, and the effects of both on our health. They’re joined by two UCL experts:...

In this episode, we speak to Chloe He, Postgraduate researcher at UCL, who educates us on fertility treatments. We cover the 50-50 split between male and female infertility factors, the rising rates of infertility (now affecting one in six people), and the worrying impact of pollution on male fertility. The conversation also touches on the challenges of accessing fertility services, including the...

In episode 03, Ayesha and Angelica are joined by Student Success Officer Adella to share and chat about their experiences of living and studying in London. They discuss the challenges of adjusting to the city's fast-paced lifestyle, high cost of living, and competitive housing market while also highlighting the vibrant opportunities London offers—from cultural diversity and student discounts to fr...

As populations continue to grow, what can increased pressures from climate change and financial crisis shape what modern urban generation means? In this podcast, we'll be talking about who are the main players in modern urban regeneration and can it be done without the dark side of social exclusion. Peter George, Strategic Director of Economy and Sustainability at Ealing Borough Council, joins exp...

Episode 02 dives into finance by interviewing UCL staff. Join Kate, Sophia and Nadia as they ask Josh from the UCL Student Funding team the important questions about finance. Josh talks about financial support and, cost-of living and how students can manage their finances. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of our students and do not necessarily reflect the...

Did you know that disposable nappies account for approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste each year, representing 2-3% of household waste? Period products don't fare much better with one study indicating 200,000 tonnes of waste annually and then there's also adult incontinence products - we’re looking at 3 billion waste products annually for that. These are staggering numbers and ones we just aren't...

Episode 1 dives into all things student life. Whether you're in the middle of your studies or reminiscing about your time at university, we’re here to explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. From myths about university life to the impact of COVID-19, and the real value of exams, we’ll cover a range of topics that all students can relate to. Date of episode recording: 2025-02-11T00:00:0...

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 exploring the relationship between religion and violence. What are the circumstances in which organisations motivated by religious ideas resort to violent methods? And how can such violence best be prevented? The relationship between religion and violence is a subject of enduring debate. Religion is often portrayed as a force for peace and compassion. Yet history is littered with i...

In this episode, the host Angel Au (UCL) speaks with Professor Roz Shafran (UCL) about her extensive research on perfectionism and her work in expanding access to evidence-based psychological interventions. This episode covers: 1. How perfectionism affects mental health and how cognitive behavioural therapy can address it. 2. The Lucy Project and its role in improving mental health support for you...

In this chapter we talk with the Geologist David Dobson. David is a Professor of Earth Materials at UCL. His research focuses on high-pressure physical property measurements, from sudotakalytes in the Earth's crust to mantle reology and deep earthquakes, as well as the reologys of magma and terrestrial planetary cores. Out of the lab, he enjoys being out in the mountains, unusually migrating north...

In the second episode of Little ears, big challenges: navigating mild and unilateral deafness in children, we talk to parents about their decision making processes around technologies and other management options for their children, and whether they chose to wait and see or maximise hearing. There isn't clear evidence about what works for mild and unilateral deafness, so this can make decisions di...

In episode 3 of Little ears, big challenges: navigating mild and unilateral deafness in children, we ask the parents to tell us about their experiences of how they prioritise their child and family's needs, and they also discuss various avenues they explored to help with their child's hearing and communication. Listen in as our conversations continue. Transcript link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ear/epi...

In episode 4 of Little ears, big challenges: navigating mild and unilateral deafness in children, we start by talking to some of the parents about how the decisions they made when their child was first diagnosed with mild or unilateral deafness have evolved or changed over time, perhaps due to a change in circumstances or a change in hearing. Then all the parents give their advice to other parents...

In the final episode of Little ears, big challenges: navigating mild and unilateral deafness in children, we're talking about what the future holds with young people and adults who all have experience of having mild or unilateral deafness. They tell us about their how they navigate the world, what technology they use, and their advice to parents who may have recently found out that their child has...

In this episode, we speak to Stephen Morris, VaxHub's Senior Outreach and Partnerships Manager, and Ludovica Vaiarelli, VaxHub's Partners Relationship Manager, to learn a bit more about how vaccines are manufactured and distributed worldwide. We'll hear how the process works, and how we're working with partner Universities like Oxford, along with manufacturers and industry, to ensure we create the...

In this first episode of Little ears, big challenges: navigating mild and unilateral deafness in children, we introduce you to the voices of parents, young people and adults who feature in our series. We’ll meet parents who open up about what mild or unilateral deafness means for their children and the impact it has on their day to day lives. You’ll also hear how parents approach explaining mild o...

In this chapter we talk with Hannah Cornish, curator at the Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL with Thomas Kador, Lecturer in Creative Health on the UCL Arts & Sciences programme. Hannah provides intellectual access to a collection of 68,000 specimens. She designs and facilitates museum teaching, collaborating with researchers and artists, managing collection documentation, and working on events, exhibi...

In this chapter we talk with the artist, programmer, writer and performer Martin Howse. Martin explores connections between the earth, its living organisms, geophysical phenomena, software, and the human psyche, working with speculative hardware based on environmental data in open physical systems, code that investigates the layers of abstraction, free software and situational performances and int...

In this chapter we talk with the social anthropologist Roger Sansi. Roger has worked on Afro-Brazilian culture and religion, the concept of the fetish, and on contemporary art. His publications include the books Fetishes and Monuments, Sorcery in the Black Atlantic, Economies of relation: Money And Personalism in the Lusophone World. One of Roger’s important researches has been on the animist reli...