University of St Andrews Kaleidoscope Alumni Network

This is the final episode of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series, Ad lib. Julie Barry has spent 25 years working in development, primarily in higher education. She has a BS in Journalism and an MBA and is currently Senior Development Officer at The Ohio State University. Julie's daughter graduated this July in Environmental Earth Sciences and plans to stay in Sco...

This is episode eight (8) of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series Ad Lib. You can access the transcript for the podcast on the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network blog: https://kan.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/listen-2/ . It is available on other podcast platforms.   Crispian Riley-Smith and Jade Mkparu developed their entrepreneurial talents while studying at the University of St And...

This is a special episode of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series Ad Lib. Patricia Hill Collins , author of Black Feminist Thought (1990) was at the University of St Andrews in October 2024 to give a lecture as part of the Andrew Carnegie Lecture Series. During her visit, she spoke to some St Andrews students and recent graduates on various topics for this episode. Yo...

This is the sixth episode of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series Ad Lib. A transcript of this podcast is available on the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network blog - here . “If you can't think of a route to get from where you are to world domination, then you're not going think of it on the way” ~ Darran Milne   Darran talks to Akira about his journey from Scotland to...

Elika Ansari , alumna of the School of International Relations and Dina Nayeri, Reader in the School of English – both published authors who have written about seeking refuge – speak to Dr Jeffrey Murer, Senior Lecturer on Collective Violence in the School of International Relations.   This is the fifth episode of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series Ad Lib. You can a...

Juno Lee chats with Dr Shruti Narayanswamy about a lifetime of entrepreneurship, identity, and serving in the marine corps. This is the fourth episode of the first series of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network podcast series Ad Lib. You can access a transcript of this episode using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/s98mzb8e In this recording, you will hear the voices of: Juno Lee (MA, 2018) co-f...

Steven Weathers and Lisa-Rose Moller are friends who both graduated from St Andrews in 1995. In this episode, they talk about Steven’s experiences of being a foreigner in Scotland and China and on building a career there in the entertainment industry. In this recording, you will hear the voices of: Steven Weathers (MA 1995 English Language and Literature). Steven is based in Shanghai, where he wor...

Tasnia Khandaker Prova discusses advocacy for street dogs, and the cross-section of migration and conflict issues experienced by street animals, wildlife and people. Also mentioned in this episode: Tasnia mentions Jack Baker (MA 2019). Tasnia and Jack Baker’s discussion about Bangladesh’s street dogs on Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast can be accessed using the following link: https://tinyurl.co...

In this episode, Ryan Patterson discusses the significance of EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) and the importance of both creating and sustaining diverse, fair and inclusive environments for students and alumni. Ryan Patterson worked as a Careers Adviser, providing one-to-one advice to students and recent graduates until April 2023 when she returned to work in her home state of...

In this episode, Paul Gardner discusses how to think about inclusion and opportunity, and the importance of transforming lives through education. You can access a transcript of this episode using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5n6krrmd In this episode you will hear the voices of: Paul Gardner, Senior Lecturer (Education Focused), School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St And...

Rita Tojeiro speaks about the purpose of education, inclusivity in STEM and on understanding science’s human cost through examining the discipline in a wider context. You can access a transcript of this episode using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3t4e559v In this episode you will hear the voices of: Rita Tojeiro , Reader, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews. Rita’s...

Jonathan Kemp is on the production side of all our podcast episodes, but in this episode, he is also on the recording side! He chats to us about his current research in the physics of music, and producing music events at St Andrews.  You can access a transcript of this episode using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/27phcbf6 In this recording, you will hear the voices of: Jonathan Kemp is a...

In this episode, Bill Shackman discusses his role as interfaith chaplain at the University of St Andrews, how the chaplaincy brings the faith communities on campus together in interfaith dialogue, and his philosophy of radical acceptance. Correction: This episode shares two insights from Pirkei Avot that were combined into one. "Judge everyone favorably" (1:6) and "Receive everyone with a smile" (...

In this episode, Lesley Caldwell shares how she represents the University in the wider community, moving away from the 'town and gown' divide, and supporting sustainable and diverse projects across Fife. In this recording you will hear the voices of: Lesley Caldwell , Community Engagement and Social Responsibility Officer at the University of St Andrews. Lesley studied Fine Art at Duncan of Jordan...

In this episode , organists Michael Koenig, Jonathan Pinto (MLitt 2022) and Chris Bragg share their experiences and study of the organ in contrasting cultural environments. They explore how this beautiful instrument has been adopted outside of Europe for different forms of worship in East Africa, West Africa and India. The conversation provides a thoughtful perspective on how the organ, originally...