GCU Common Good Podcast

Dr Andrea Quinlan, Professor Lesley McMillan, Dr. Gethin Rees and Professor Deborah White, join the Common Ground podcast to discuss their international project on sexual assault care in rural and remote areas of Scotland and Ontario, Canada. Included in the podcast are voices from sexual assault service providers from both regions. Together, they describe the challenges in accessing and delivering sexual assault care and forensic evidence collection in rural and remote areas, and what can be done to address them.

In the latest podcast in the Global Voices series Dr Gordon Hill meets up with Lisa Forrest, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, first year student, Rosie Howes and Blessing Christian, a second year student. Both Rosie and Blessing are studying the MSc Pre-Registration programme in Occupational Therapy at Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Blessing and Rosie tell us about what motivated them to apply to GCU, what is was like arriving in Glasgow, details about their programme and give us some great hints and tips for new international students. Lisa also tells us about her experiences of meeting international applicants overseas, the vibrant discussions in the OT classes and about international opportunities in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Gordon, Lisa, Rosie and Blessing also discuss the support available at GCU for international students This is a must listen for everyone who is applying for or starting Occupational Therapy at GCU.

In this podcast, Dr. Gordon Hill meets with Dr. Natalia Farmer, Lecturer in Social Work, and Amaka Ofili, a recent graduate of the MSc in Social Work program. Amaka is now working as a Social Worker in Glasgow, within the Children and Families team. Amaka, who moved to Scotland from Nigeria to pursue her studies, shares with Gordon and Natalia her motivation to become a Social Worker and what led her to choose Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Amaka discusses her experiences of moving to a new country and her dissertation, which explored the experiences of African students. Together, Amaka, Natalia, and Gordon also highlight the support available at Glasgow Caledonian University for students, emphasizing the value of learning from the experiences of past students. Natalia provides insight into the Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, including international opportunities within the Department of Social Work, her own research, and the various roles that Social Work graduates can pursue. If you are interested in Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, this is the podcast for you! (The corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Dr Gordon Hill, the Assistant Head for International at the School of Health and Life Sciences, sits down with Dilan Aydemir, a first-year PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University, specialising in pelvic health research. Dilan, originally from Türkiye, previously completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in physiotherapy and rehabilitation before embarking on her PhD journey at Glasgow Caledonian University. During their conversation, Gordon and Dilan explore her experiences of moving to Scotland, adapting to life in Glasgow, and the various challenges she has encountered along the way. They also discuss important topics such as scholarships, student support, and ways for international students to engage with the local community. Dilan's research focuses on the conservative treatment of endometriosis-associated pain, a complex and often debilitating condition affecting millions of women worldwide. Her goal is to identify new therapeutic targets and develop effective, evidence-based physiotherapy treatments to alleviate pain, improve quality of life, and enhance sexual function for women suffering from endometriosis. By emphasising non-surgical and non-pharmacological options, Dilan aims to reduce the burden of this condition. Join us as Dilan shares her excitement about the potential impact of her work and her commitment to advancing the field of endometriosis research. (The perfect corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Dr Patrick Ring, a Reader in Financial Services at Glasgow Caledonian University, and Jack Stanbury, a Senior Project Manager at the University of Bristol, join the Common Good Podcast to discuss Future Finance, a new initiative that aims to enhance innovation and productivity in the sector and help organisations adapt to challenges, ranging from AI and data to changes in regulation and widening access to services. The £1.8million initiative, funded by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council, is initially being rolled out as a pilot in Scotland today. The pair discuss the genesis of Future Finance, how business can benefit from it, and how it can grow and develop in the future.

Dr Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh, a lecturer in the Department of Cyber Security and Networks, and Dionysios Voutos, a fourth-year student on the programme, join the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss the development of a cutting-edge cybersecurity project that could be key to safeguarding our critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks – a cyber test bed that has taken the form of a model trainset.

Dr Ruth Barn joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about a new approach to tackling diabetes-related foot ulcers in Scotland. Dr Barn and her team have received a grant of almost £300,000 from the Scottish Government's Chief Scientist Office to develop a research project exploring "motivational interviewing", which can empower patients to adopt new lifestyle changes and ultimately reduce ulceration, amputation and death rates among people with diabetes.

Professor Katrina Bannigan joins the latest Common Good Podcast to share her experiences of taking part in Points of Pride, one of the most important events that takes place at GCU and gives our staff the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success and the achievements of their peers and colleagues. Professor Bannigan talks about receiving a nomination, why she nominated others, and what it meant to her both professionally and personally.

Oscar Mendoza, a former political prisoner and Chilean refugee who has lived in Scotland since 1975, joins the Common Good Podcast to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Chilean coup d'état where the democratically elected President Salvador Allende was overthrown and replaced by a military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet. Speaking with host Craig G Telfer and University Archivist Carole McCallum, Oscar talks about his early life in Chile and the events that led up to 11 September 1973, the day itself, and the immediate aftermath. He then goes on to discuss his 20-month detention under the regime, his exile to Scotland and his time at the Glasgow College of Technology, one of the founding institutions of Glasgow Caledonian University.

Josh Roberts, the Acting Head Student Recruitment (UK) at Glasgow Caledonian University, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about clearing. Clearing opens for students who received their SQA qualifications on Tuesday 8 August. Josh discusses what it means, how the process works, and how any potential students can get involved. He also provides some hints and tips and dos and don'ts. Find out more about clearing at Glasgow Caledonian University by visiting gcu.ac.uk/study.clearing or by phoning us on 0800 027 9171.

Dr Azam Nekahi, a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Power Engineering, and Gail McEwen, a member of the University's Suite of Assessment team, join the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about Women in Engineering Day 2023. The pair discuss why events like this are important, the barriers that prevent girls and young women from studying STEM subjects, and what needs to be done to change this. They also talk about a new piece of research that explores the harm of gender-coded language and the obstacles in can create.

Dr Karen Lorimer joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her research examining working-class women's experiences of sexual violence. Dr Lorimer explains why this is a first-of-its-kind study, how we define "working class" and how this research can be used in a practical context. She also discusses other research projects, her methodology, and her background in sexual health and wellbeing.

Alan Jack, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Video Games, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about his experiences of living with ADHD. Alan, who was diagnosed with ADHD with autistic traits in his late thirties, describes what his life was like before and after his diagnosis, and how he supports students with similar neurodivergent traits. He also talks about games design and how GCU is developing the next generation of video games developers.

Jimi Mitchell, a Senior Library Administrator at the Sir Alex Ferguson Library, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about a brand new recording facility on our Glasgow campus. Jimi talks about the genesis of the snappily titled Recording Studio, his hopes and ambitions for it, and how it can become and important facility for students, staff and the wider GCU community. He also talks about his own background in podcasting and his career at the University.

The second of our special podcasts celebrating International Women's Day 2023 sees Dr Yvonne Dempsie, a lecturer in pharmacology, joining the show. Dr Dempsie looks over her career, from her undergraduate degree to working at Glasgow Caledonian University. She discusses the challenges of academia, her experiences on the Aurora Programme, and what International Women's Day means to her.

As part of International Women's Day 2023, the Common Good Podcast is proud to bring you the first of two interviews with female members of the GCU community. Tabitha Nyariki joins the show to talk about her journey from the African Leadership College in Mauritius to the University's Race Equality Charter Project Officer. Tabitha talks about why she chose to study at GCU, her experiences in student politics and what International Women's Day means to her.

Dr Bryan McCann and Dr Ciara Reidy join the Common Good Podcast to talk about the ProActive Minds programme, a knowledge transfer partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University and Sport Aberdeen designed to embed the principles of sports psychology in high schools. Dr McCann and Dr Reidy discuss the genesis of the project, how it will work, and how it could be rolled out across the country.

Dr Liza Morton, a Lecturer in Applied Psychology, joins the first Common Good Podcast of 2023 to talk about her new book Healing Hearts and Minds: A holistic approach to coping well with congenital heart disease. Dr Morton talks about her own experiences of living with congenital heart disease and how it inspired her to write the book, as well as how she hopes it can be used to help and support other people condition, their families and health professionals.

Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, joins the Common Good Podcast to look back on her 17 years at Glasgow Caledonian University. The Principal discusses how GCU has changed under her leadership, the challenges she faced along the way, and what the future holds when she steps down at the end of December.

Fiona Stewart-Knight, Assistant Vice Principal Business Partnerships and the Director of GCU's Institute for University to Business Education, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about the role of her team and its wider work in Scotland and around the world. Fiona discusses how U2B solves problems for industry and some of her proudest achievements.

This week's episode of the Common Good Podcast looks forward to the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the first international football match. GCU sports historian Dr Fiona Skillen, Graeme Brown, founder and gaffer of the Hampden Collection, and Glasgow Football Tour founder Lindsay Hamilton join the show to talk the famous match between Scotland and England, the events taking place in the build up to the anniversary, and their own favourite memories from following the national team.

Michail Georgiou, a PhD researcher at the University, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about how living near a blue space can reduce the risk of mental health conditions derived from socio-economic deprivation by 6 per cent. Michail discusses the importance of this project, how it was carried out, and how its findings can be put into a practical context.

This special episode of the Common Good podcast, released to coincide with Black History Month, focuses on the subjects or racism, language and self-identity. Hosted by Adrian Lui, Glasgow Caledonian University's Equality and Diversity Advisor, the podcast brings together members of the GCU community to discuss how they identify themselves and the evolution of language in relation to race. Adrian is joined by Professor Tuleen Boutaleb, the Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Dr Davena Rankin, Student Mobility and International Partnership Administration; and Tabitha Nyariki, Race Equality Charter Project Officer.

Dr Emma Green and Leona McQuaid join the Common Good Podcast to talk about the launch of the snack-sized self-care initiative, a scheme designed to boost the mental health and wellbeing of our students. The Pair discuss the project's genesis, how it was developed with partners across GCU and how it can be rolled out across the University and beyond.

Points of Pride is GCU's flagship event that celebrates staff success and achievement. As nominations close on Friday 7 October 2022, Claire Currie, a lecturer in diagnostic imaging, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her experiences of being nominated and why she's "paid it forward" for this year's event.

Professor Simon Hunter returns to the Common Good Podcast to talk about the results from the Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Survey. Professor Hunter had previously spoken about the project after it launched and now he discusses its findings and how they can be put into a practical context.

Mandy Abbott, a lecturer in podiatry at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her recent experience volunteering at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, providing foot healthcare for hundreds of elite athletes. Mandy reveals how the opportunity came about, the camaraderie amongst her colleagues and how the spending 10 nights in student accommodation.

Professor Rohinton Emmanuel, Director of the BEAM Centre at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the phenomenon of urban heat islands and their contribution to the climate emergency. Professor Emmanuel explains how urban heat islands develop in our city centres, why some neighbourhoods in the same city are hotter than others, and how we can mitigate against this phenomenon. He also reflects on a career in academia that has seen him travel the world.

Dr Chioma Nwafor, a lecturer in financial services, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss The Paradox of Educational Attainment and Income/Poverty: Has the Nexus Broken?, a new study that examines why there is a disparity between the calibre of education and income amongst Scottish Africans. Dr Nawfor discusses the project and why previous studies into this area have been flawed. She outlines how she carried out the research and how its findings - including the requirement of a new term to replace "BAME" - can be put into practice.

Dr Jane McKay joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the concept of perfectionism and how it can be used to help improve the student learning experience. Dr McKay explains the positive and negative connotations of perfectionism and its role in mental health. She discusses the HAPPY project and how our students can benefit, as well as her background in athletics, which has shaped her career in academia.

Dr Sanjukta Brahma, a Senior Lecturer in Finance, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast, to talk about her research exploring the links between the LGBTQ community and finance. Dr Brahma outlines the four areas her study investigates, how it fills in the missing gaps in existing literature, and how it can be implemented in a practical context.

Anna Talbot, the Programme Co-ordinator with the Rhodes University Community Engagement Team, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about her work and its importance within South African higher education. Speaking with Julie Adair, Anna discusses why community engagement is vital to universities, her team's outreach work with local schools, and how the University sprung into action during the pandemic.

Adil Rahoo, the outgoing Student President at the GCU Students' Association, joins the Common Good Podcast to look back on his 12 months in office. Adil discusses how he and his team supported the transition from remote learning to face-to-face teaching back on campus, as well as their other successes during his time in office. He also looks to the future and outlines his next steps.

Dr Gillian Hunter joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about how GCU is implementing sustainability in its laboratories. Dr Hunter, a lecturer in the Research Centre for Health, explains why her department is implementing the principles of LEAF and how a £5,000 grant from the University will help them cut down on their waste.

Dr Lucyna Gozdzielewska joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about World Hand Hygiene Day, which takes place on Thursday 5 May 2022. Dr Gozdzielewska, a researcher in the Safeguarding Health through Infection Prevention (SHIP) research group at GCU, talks about how the team are marking the day, as well as their wider work in raising awareness for good hand hygiene.

Dr Paul Baker joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about how the GCU campus in Glasgow has become a haven for birdlife. Dr Baker, a Lecturer in Cell and Molecular Biology and a passionate ornithologist, has been monitoring the campus' bird life for four years and last year he recorded 12 species on campus, including a migratory Woodcock, which may have flown in from as far away as Russia. He discusses why birdlife is thriving and his own role in attracting it to campus, as well as his long-standing interest in ornithology and shares stories of his time spent watching birds.

As we approach International Women's Day 2022, the GCU Common Good Podcast focuses on its success in Graduate Apprenticeships and how it is supporting girls and young women in STEAM. Sarah Speirs, a graduate apprenticeship in Environmental Civil Engineering, is joined by Dr Andrew Cowell, the Programme Leader for the Graduate Apprenticeship in Engineering, Design and Manufacture, to share their experiences in both areas.

Annamae Burrows, a PhD student in the School of Health and Life Sciences, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her forthcoming study into the impact of gender and masculinity on male loneliness and social isolation. Annamae outlines the project, which aims to talk to men aged between 18 and 30, and how we define terms like "loneliness" and "masculinity". She also discusses the role alcohol plays within this community and how it helps people communicate their feelings.

Adrian Lui, GCU's Equality and Diversity Advisor, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the University's Call It Racism campaign, a new initiative designed to tackle racism on our campuses. Adrian discusses racism within the higher education sector, why we need this new campaign, how our students and staff can benefit from it.

Dr Zoe Tieges, a SMART Technology Research Centre Research Fellow, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss a new study that's found people living close to canals can cut their risk of chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, stroke or hypertension by 15 per cent. Dr Tieges explains the regeneration of canals and their impact on areas like the north of Glasgow, how she and her team carried out their research, and how it can be applied in a practical context.

Nathan Tagg joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the work of the Caledonian Club, GCU's multi-award winning widening participation and community engagement initiative that works across our local communities in Glasgow and beyond. Nathan, the manager of the Caledonian Club, discusses its genesis, how it works with a wide spectrum of children, from nursery age to high-school leavers, and the challenges of working throughout the global pandemic.

Simon Hunter, a Professor of Applied Psychology at GCU, joins the first Common Good Podcast of 2022 to talk about the launch of a new survey that will allow people with experience of complex mental illnesses to share their views and experiences of stigma and discrimination to help shape policy, support and services in Scotland. Professor Hunter outlines the kind of stigmas people with mental health problems can face, why this survey is needed and how its findings can be put into practice.

GCU Sports Historian Dr Fiona Skillen and Richard McBrearty, a curator at the Scottish Football Museum, join the Common Good Podcast to talk about a new exhibition celebrating Rutherglen Ladies FC, a trailblazing women's football side from the 1920s and 1930s who paved the way for today's superstars. Dr Skillen and Richard discuss how Rutherglen Ladies FC's story had been forgotten until very recently, the rise and fall of the club, and how and why this discovery has "rewritten the history books" about women's football.

Stephanie Pitticas, the Director of Recruitment and Admissions, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the admissions process at Glasgow Caledonian University. Stephanie discusses how she and her team have processed 11,000 applications from potential students and the challenges involved in dealing with such a large volume. She also talks about how her team have made a positive impact on hundreds of students as they start their journey with GCU, before looking back on her long association with the University.

Dr Elaine Ritch, a Senior Lecturer in Marketing, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about hew new book, New Perspectives in Critical Marketing and Consumer Society, and how it ties in with GCU's mission. She talks about how the book is based on her own teachings and how the concept of sustainability is embedded within her programme and lectures. Dr Ritch also talks about concepts such as "wokewashing" and "greenwashing" and where her own interest in sustainability comes from.

In the final instalment of our COP26 Podcast Series, we are delighted to bring you this special episode with Glasgow Caledonian University's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, Dr Annie Lennox OBE, humanitarian, singer-songwriter and Chancellor of GCU, and social activist Dr Satish Kumar about education and the role it can play in tackling climate change. Led by Professor Gillies, Dr Lennox and Dr Kumar talk about the importance of education and how it can inspire younger generations to take a serious interest in tackling the climate emergency. They also touch on the moment that sparked their own activism and how they successfully advocate for climate change in their everyday lives. The discussion closes with Dr Lennox and Dr Kumar talking about their own aspirations for COP26. Watch a video of this discussion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA0n9ylXfJw

Our COP26 Podcast Series continues with a special interview with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Emeritus Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, about climate justice and how it fits into his vision for a post-pandemic society. Professor Yunus says bold action is needed to stop humanity from continuing on its “suicidal path” and how mankind will become an “endangered species” unless climate change is prevented. He also talks about how tackling wealth inequality and preventing mass unemployment are the second and third pillars of his vision, and how we should build “new structures” to prevent the same mistakes being made. He finishes the podcast by talking about his long-standing relationship with GCU, which goes back to 2008. You can also watch a video of our interview with Professor Yunus on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQwUJvSuQXc

Professor Penny Endersby, the Chief Executive of the Met Office, joins the second instalment of the COP26 Podcast Series to discuss the role the institution is playing in tackling the climate emergency. Professor Endersby outlines how the Met Office works with the UK Government to drive its policy on climate change, how it collaborates with its counterparts across the world, and whether or not climate change denial is more than a fringe conspiracy theory. She also discusses her hopes for COP26 and the Met Office's involvement in the event. You can also watch a video of our interview with Professor Endersby on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFGe4GtS6Hg

The GCU Common Good Podcast is delighted to bring you the COP26 Podcast Series, a series that focuses on climate change and the bid to tackle the climate emergency in the build-up to COP26. The first episode stars Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of the Centre for Climate Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, to talk about the concept of climate justice, what it means, and how it can be achieved. Professor Jafry also discusses her work with the Centre for Climate Justice and how their research is benefitting communities across the globe, as well as her hopes for COP26. Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4nHUtyGEek

Shirley Tulloch and Melanie Armstrong join the Common Good Podcast to talk about GCU's Menopause Cafe, a space where students and staff from across the University can talk about their experiences of the menopause. The pair discuss the genesis of the cafe, how they have both benefitted from participating in it, and where they see it going in the future.

Tabita Kristel, a final-year student on the Health Psychology programme, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her work with Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and how she provided remote psychological support to stroke survivors and their carers over the lockdown. She also talks about her journey in academia and her hopes and aspirations for the future.