Podcast
Oxford Brookes Unscripted
Hosted by The Public Engagement Network, Oxford Brookes University · EN
This podcast series from the Public Engagement Network (PEN) at Oxford Brookes University is a platform for academics, across all faculties, to informally share, discuss and contemplate their research with the wider community
37episodes
Episodes
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Why the Human is Still the Most Important Technology: The Science Behind Human Performance
5d ago00:36:40Tap to summarizeWhen we think about modern warfare, we often picture drones, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology. But behind every mission is a person whose physical fitness, mental resilience and decision-making can mean the difference between success and failure. In this episode, Dr Peter Wright explores the science of human performance and explains why soldiers are better thought of as "tactical athletes", people who must combine strength, endurance, resilience and cognitive performance in some of the world's most demanding environments. From sleep and nutrition to wearable technology and the future of military research, discover why looking after the human behind the mission isn't just important for soldiers, it contains lessons that can help all of us perform at our best.
Transcribe →What Can the Amazon Teach Us About Climate Change?
5d ago00:13:44Tap to summarizeWhat if the most important lessons about climate change and sustainability didn’t come from universities, but from the communities living closest to nature? In this episode, Dr Carolina Redolfi discusses an innovative collaboration between Oxford Brookes University, Goldsmiths, University of London and Unviersidade Federal de Rondonia in Brazil that is working with traditional and Indigenous communities in the Amazon. Rather than exporting education, the project focuses on listening, co-creating and empowering local people to share their own stories through digital communication. Discover why local knowledge matters, how global partnerships can become more equal, and what universities can learn when they stop assuming they have all the answers.
Transcribe →Hidden in Plain Sight? Addressing Alcohol Harms Amongst Vet Professionals
3w ago00:21:20Tap to summarizeVeterinary professionals dedicate their careers to caring for animals, but who supports them when the pressures of the job become overwhelming? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Olivia Cormier, a veterinary surgeon turned psychology PhD researcher, about her work exploring alcohol use, mental health and stigma within the UK veterinary profession. Olivia discusses the realities of modern veterinary practice and draws on her recent studies to talk about the role alcohol can play in coping with stress, and why seeking help can feel so difficult in this population. The conversation explores the hidden challenges facing veterinary teams, the impact of workplace drinking culture, and how research could help veterinary professionals access alcohol-related support in the future. This is an honest and thought-provoking discussion about wellbeing, stigma and the importance of ensuring those who care for others receive the support they need themselves.
Transcribe →Why Engagement Matters: Rethinking Corporate Governance Through Stakeholders
Jun 900:38:07Tap to summarizeCorporate governance might sound technical, but it shapes everyday decisions — from the products we buy to the prices we pay. In this episode, Dr Samira Issa explores why stakeholder engagement is at the heart of better decision-making. Drawing on her PhD research at Oxford Brookes University, she shares how companies can move beyond “tick-box” governance to meaningful engagement, and how her practical stakeholder engagement handbook is helping turn complex principles into real-world action.
Transcribe →Moving Through Menopause: How Exercise Supports Health, Confidence and Community
Jan 1300:46:26Summary readyMenopause is a natural part of life - but for many women, it can bring physical, emotional, and social challenges that are still rarely talked about openly. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Dr Anne Delextrat and Dr Adam Bibbey about their research exploring how exercise can support women through menopause - not just physically, but mentally and socially too. From Zumba Gold classes in local communities to innovative workplace-based exercise programmes, they share findings from studies that show improvements in strength, energy, mental wellbeing, motivation, and social connection - particularly for women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The conversation explores why community, enjoyment, and feeling safe and supported matter just as much as the exercise itself, how workplaces can play a powerful role in wellbeing, and why it’s never too late to start moving - even if exercise feels daunting. Whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how research can improve everyday lives, this episode offers insight, reassurance, and plenty of inspiration.
SummaryCan Fashion Grow Without Costing the Earth? Rethinking Clothing Through Circular Fashion with Dr Rebecca Beech
Dec 1601:04:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Dr Rebecca Beech takes us inside the world of circular fashion — and why the future of what we wear may depend on renting, repairing and rethinking our relationship with clothes. Drawing on her United Nations PRME research, cross-UK interviews, and comparative analysis of four rental fashion start-ups, Rebecca explores the motivations and barriers behind renting, the role of trust, and how stigma around sustainable choices still shapes everyday behaviour. We discuss the rise of flexible rental subscriptions, how technology like virtual try-on tools could close experience gaps, and why belonging, community and education are crucial to shifting mindsets. From microplastics to mending workshops, policy gaps to AI chatbots, this episode asks: What would a truly circular, sustainable wardrobe look like — and how close are we to getting there?
Transcribe →Laying the Foundations for Change: Building Skills, Curiosity and Community
Nov 1300:31:11Tap to summarizeConstruction is changing - and so is how we learn from it. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Morgan Sindall Construction and Oxford Brookes University discuss how their partnership is inspiring young people, empowering students, and embedding social value and sustainability into the heart of the construction industry. Featuring voices from Morgan Sindall’s team, Brookes students on placement, and those leading social value initiatives, this episode explores how industry and academia can collaborate to create real impact - building skills, confidence, and opportunities for everyone, and showing that there’s a place for all in construction.
Transcribe →FACT Episode 3: Fatigue after critical illness- looking to the future
Nov 1100:26:20Tap to summarizeIn this final episode of a three-part mini-series, Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and Rebecca Langley discuss how the FACT intervention is being delivered and evaluated to support ICU survivors living with post-critical illness fatigue. The team explores the role of healthcare professionals, the importance of digital accessibility, and the value of both qualitative and quantitative feedback in shaping meaningful recovery. Looking ahead, they consider the potential impact of the study on future healthcare practice and how listeners can get involved in supporting this vital work.
Transcribe →FACT Episode 2: Co-producing an intervention to help people affected by fatigue after critical illness
Nov 1100:17:43Tap to summarizeHow can research help ICU survivors manage the long-term effects of critical illness? In this second episode of a three-part mini-series, Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and Rebecca Langley discuss the development of the Fatigue After Critical Illness Trial (FACT) study - a co-produced, web-based self-management intervention designed to support people living with post-ICU fatigue. The team reflects on the inspiration behind the project, the challenges in existing post-critical care support, and how genuine collaboration between researchers, patients, healthcare staff and families has shaped this innovative approach to recovery.
Transcribe →FACT Episode 1: Fatigue After Critical Illness - a Hidden Burden
Nov 1100:07:40Tap to summarizeFatigue is one of the most common - and least understood - challenges people face after surviving a critical illness. In this opening episode of a three-part mini-series, we speak with critical care researchers Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and patient co-applicant Rebecca Langley about the hidden impact of fatigue on recovery and daily life. Rebecca shares her personal experience of rebuilding strength and confidence, while the team explores why awareness of post-ICU fatigue has become even more important in the wake of COVID-19.
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