Manchester Metropolitan University Podcast

Welcome to this special festive edition of MetCast. First, we step back in time to uncover a long-held Christmas tradition: the telling of ghost stories. From gothic Victorian tales and the enduring magic of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, we discover how the festive season once embraced the spooky and the supernatural – and how this convention has been updated for modern audiences. Then, we turn to the sparkle of festive fashion - and its impact on the planet. With insights from Dr. Patsy Perry of the Manchester Fashion Institute, we'll discuss how to shine sustainably this season, while reducing waste and embracing a circular economy. 

As part of our ongoing celebration of Manchester Met's 200th anniversary, in this edition of MetCast, we are exploring our final area of strength: Tackling Inequalities. We hear from psychology student, inclusivity model and coach, Kai Da'Costa. Kai's life took an unexpected turn after a motorbiking accident left him without the use of his left arm. But his journey didn't stop there. Thanks to the support of the University's Manchester Movement Unit and its cutting-edge physiotherapy clinic, Kai's story has become one of resilience and transformation. We also sit down with Professor Sara Ryan, a leading voice in social care. Sara shares her fight for justice for her son, Connor, whose life and legacy inspired the critically acclaimed play Laughing Boy. The production earned rave reviews during its recent West End run, and Sara will tell us more about the powerful message behind the story. Finally, we'll talk with Professor Rob Drummond about accent prejudice and the complex relationship we all have with language. With oracy education gaining national attention, Rob shares insights from a report recently launched in the House of Lords that calls for a focus on speaking, listening and communication skills. 

In case you hadn't heard, it's our 200-year anniversary here at Manchester Met, and we're celebrating two centuries of proudly driving progress. One of our key areas of strength is sustainability, and that's what we're talking about this month.We've been a top three sustainable university for over a decade, prioritising the environment in everything we do – whether that's geography, printing, or poetry.In this episode, we hear how a top poet from our Manchester Writing School responded to climate change when she visited Greenland with our climate scientists. Expect science, sediment, and stanzas. And we'll also explore how our biodiversity research is identifying key climate threats in the Amazon, and how's it's helping to shape protective new laws.

In this September episode of MetCast, we continue our 200-year anniversary celebrations here at Manchester Met and we're turning our attention to our next theme, sustainability. As a top three sustainable university, protecting the environment is key to everything we do.In this edition, we hear how a graduate's vital conservation work is helping to protect one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef.We explore how our Manchester Fashion Institute is combatting fast fashion and instead leading the way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle. And we find out from our lecturers how Manchester's climate is changing due to global warming, as well as the impact of the humble domestic garden.

Welcome to our August edition of MetCast. As we gear up for the Paralympic Games later this month, we catch up with Manchester Met visiting professor and honorary graduate Dame Sarah Storey, who is part of the Paralympic cycling squad for Paris 2024. Dame Sarah has made history with 17 gold, eight silver, and three bronze medals. From her rise to stardom at just 14 in Barcelona 1992, to her unstoppable success as a para cyclist, Sarah's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.  With her sights set Paralympic glory once again, we had the privilege of catching up with Sarah at the Manchester Metropolitan Institute of Sport. We dive into her medal memories, her thoughts on the future of inclusive sports, and those all-important preparations for the Paris time trial and road race ahead of the games. 

In the July edition of MetCast, we turn our focus to the excitement of the Olympic Games, which will begin at the end of this month in Paris.  With Manchester Metropolitan's world-class Institute of Sport offering state-of-the-art facilities and supporting elite athletes and top-class teams, it's no surprise to hear that our impactful research is not only relevant, but provides vital insight to help Olympians prepare for the games.  In this edition, we meet Irish track cyclist, Olympic hopeful and Manchester Met Alumna, Alice Sharpe. Alice discusses her preparations for the games and her fond memories of studying at our University.We also look at the undeniable impact genes have on athletic performance and we revisit our environment chamber and discuss how athletes can prepare for Summer games and extreme temperatures.

In the June edition of MetCast, we continue to champion Creative Excellence and explore how Manchester Metropolitan innovates and shapes the film, media, fashion, literature, art and design industries. First up, we explore how we are making our mark at the box office. We meet creative writing lecturer, Andrew Hurley, and senior filmmaking lecturer, Loran Dunn. They share more about their involvement in writing and producing for film and discuss how it feels to see your work come to life on the big screen.  Then, we meet Manchester Metropolitan alumnus and Creative Director of Max Mara, Ian Griffiths. Ian talks about his life as a student in 1980s Manchester and how studying a creative subject at University helped shape his career.  And finally, we hear more about Passiontide, the new novel from Monique Roffey. Monique  won the Costa Book of the Year award for her last novel, The Mermaid of Black Conch.  She is also Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Met's Manchester Writing School. We learn more about her inspiration behind the novel's key themes of feminism, protest and politics. 

In this special UEFA Euro 2024 episode of Metcast, we spoke to top English referee Anthony Taylor, ahead of the tournament in Germany, about his preparations at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport (IoS).In the weeks before the tournament where he is one of 19 referees officiating - and part of a cohort of eight English officials in Germany - he made use of the IoS's world-class facilities and expertise to complete acclimation training to help ensure he is in peak physical condition.This was a return to the IoS for Anthony, who previously used the facilities to prepare for the World Cup in Qatar.We also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Sports Performance at the IoS, Dr Dale Read, who has been leading the team working with Anthony. He explained the work they have done with him and how it benefits his performance. 

In the May edition of MetCast, we continue our 200-year celebrations focusing on how Manchester Met is harnessing imagination to drive innovation for creative excellence.In this edition, we hear how using design to develop a storytelling game has helped to boost the confidence and wellbeing of people with dementia.  We also explore how cutting-edge technology has played a key role in a captivatingtheatre performance. Finally, we find out how a researcher has taken their art in a different direction to break down the stigma of talking about mental health. 

In the March edition of MetCast, we continued our 200 year celebrations and focused on how we are transforming health, helping people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.  In this edition, we continue that theme and start with how we are closing the gender health gap, through a pioneering collaboration that aims to help people with endometriosis communicate their pain more confidently and effectively.We also meet Olivia, who graduated last year from the Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan. Olivia has worked with the NHS to develop a sustainable, functional, and cost-effective hospital gown and recovery wear range to help patients feel more comfortable. 

On this month's episode, we focus on how we transform health: helping people to live happier, healthier and longer lives. We look at how we are leading the way for new life, through IVF. We meet Alexandra and Luke, to learn about their IVF journey and find out more about our exclusive NHS partnership to train reproductive scientists. Continuing our health theme, we investigate the ground-breaking research that helps us understand more about Parkinson's disease. We speak to experts from Manchester Metropolitan and in clinical practice to hear more about how new technology is improving symptoms and making life-changing advancements for people living with the condition. Finally, with the NHS under continuous pressure, we look to the future and developing a pipeline of talented healthcare professionals.  

In this month's episode we're looking at the ways Manchester Met drives economic growth. It's our 200-year anniversary and we're celebrating two centuries of supporting innovation and progress through excellent education and research.Key to that is boosting skills, increasing employability, and supporting wider prosperity by helping businesses get off the ground, and thrive.We discover how a Manchester Met graduate's fabulous new fashion business has been helped by our start-up incubator Innospace.And, we speak to experts from the University's Centre for Enterprise following a new report published this year showing how it has supported more than 2,000 businesses, boosting economic growth in the region, and creating jobs, new products and services.

On this month's episode, we look at a very special celebration – 200 Years of Manchester Metropolitan University. With roots dating back to 1824 at the Manchester Mechanics Institution, our bicentenary gives us the opportunity to reflect on two centuries of proudly driving progress and transforming lives. We recently kicked off the celebrations with a fantastic light display across the city. We'll also be looking to the future and how the University is Driving Economic Growth: starting with a spotlight on our research supporting UK high streets, and, with National Apprenticeship Week round the corner, we also look at how degree apprenticeships are transforming lives and lifting employers. 

In this month's episode, we're embracing Christmas and everything the Festive season has to offer.  First, we investigate healthy eating and how making positive choices can keep those post-holiday blues at bay. We also discuss sustainability at Christmas and the small changes we can make to reduce our impact on the environment during the festive period.  Finally, we look to January and the inevitability of New Years Resolutions. Easy to keep and even easier to break, we discuss personal transformation and how sticking to our goals doesn't have to be difficult.  

In November's episode, we investigate the causes of diabetes and new treatments. And as Christmas is round the corner, we also find out why the new retail sales season has become so popular in the UK and what to expect with changing spending habits.Finally, we take a look at the impact remote working is having on wellbeing and productivity. 

In this month's episode, we speak to Oscar award-winning film director Danny Boyle and students from our School of Digital Arts who are working together on a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration.  We also find out about a new study that has revealed how children who have been in care are disproportionately likely to have been involved in the youth justice system.And finally, we explore healthy ageing and speak to academics from our Institute of Sport who are answering the question - how can we live healthier and better as we grow old?

In this month's episode, we join researchers who have been digging into the latest substance use trends across Greater Manchester and how this helps to cut harm and inform new policy.  We also head to the great outdoors, to find out about the potential of peatlands to play a vital role in the fight against global warming.   And finally, we explore the enormous diversity in our spoken language. We find out from researchers why we're all guilty of accent bias and how our perception of people's accents subconsciously influences our behaviou

In this month's episode, we take a look at fast fashion and clothing waste, as we hear from researchers at Manchester Met on new ideas for the fashion industry to make their products more sustainable. We hear from our researchers at the Para Swimming World Championships, partnered by the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, who are playing a vital role in the performance of the Great Britain Para swimming team and shaping the sport's classification system. Finally, we sat down with fine art graduate Stan Harland from our Manchester School of Art who proved - at the ripe old age of 80 - that it's never too late to achieve your dreams.

In this month's episode, we we celebrate 75 years of the National Health Service.   We explore the role Manchester Met plays in supporting the NHS: through placements, training and conducting vital research.  We also look at the changing face of the high street with the latest research from our School of Architecture and we catch up with our Institute of Place Management to discuss the major trends, issues and solutions facing our town centres.   Finally, we talk to Manchester Metropolitan fine art graduate and Met Magazine cover star, Paul Harfleet.   Paul introduces us to his project – ‘Birds Can Fly' - and discusses how the city and his experiences – both positive and negative - have influenced his work and life. 

In this month's episode, we discuss the role of unpaid carers in society as we look back at Carers Week - a week to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid children and adult carers face, and recognise their contribution to families and communities.     Also in this episode, we find out how the University's Manchester Poetry Library is working in collaboration with Words of Colour - an organisation opening up opportunities for people of colour in creative fields.   And finally, with the festival season upon us we take a look at Art School Live - a collaboration between Manchester Met's technical staff and students throughout the University that is developing the new generation of music professionals and giving them job-ready skills. 

In this month's episode, we focus on sport and health: how to get ready to run a race and why heading footballs could be dangerous.  First, we dig into a sporting debate that has dominated the headlines in recent years - the potential dangers of heading footballs and the risk to players' health.  We know footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of diseases like Alzheimers or Parkinsons, than people the same age.   We explore research from Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport that investigates the effects of heading in football, in the hope of being a step closer to understanding the lasting health impacts.  In this episode, we also speak to our sport psychology and nutrition experts for some useful hints and tips on preparing mind and body for a 10k of half-marathon race ahead of The Great Manchester Run on Sunday, 21 May.   We sought advice from Sport Psychologist Dr Martin Turner and Nutritional Physiologist Dr Adora Yau, both from the Manchester Metropolitan University of Institue of Sport. 

In April's episode, we attend the official launch of the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport. Harnessing the power of sport, the new Institute will bring together pioneering research, partnerships and teaching in sport, exercise and health.   We join Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and 17-time Paralympic gold medallist, Dame Sarah Storey to discuss how this world-class Institute will use research to inspire the next generation of athletes and help people grow well, live well and age well.  We also discuss the challenges around the Net Zero skill shortage and the impact this has on our workforce, training and the next generation.  Amer Gaffar from the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and Professor Liz Price, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability, explore the need to retrain our current workforce to ensure we hit our net zero targets.  And finally, we hear from Dr Derek Bousfield, Head of Department in Languages, Information and Communications and author of the book ‘Talking in cliches'.  We find out how cliches have a role to play in creating a sense of community and explain why we find them so useful for managing relationships and expressing identity. 

In March's episode, you'll hear from David Lee, Professor of Atmospheric Science, who will be discussing research into Net Zero aviation fuels and his recent report with the Royal Society, one of the world's leading scientific academies.   We also talk to Dr Stephen White, Reader in Cardiovascular Pathology.  We'll be discussing his new study that uncovered how smoking-triggered heart attacks happen and how they could potentially be prevented.   And finally, in March we celebrate World Poetry Day. We chat to acclaimed poet Andrew McMillan, Senior Lecturer in the University's Manchester Writing School, who has released three award-winning poetry collections.  Andrew talks through how beginners can get started in poetry, plus offers some useful hints and tips on writing a poem for the very first time. 

In February's episode you'll hear from Jonathan Grix, Professor of Sport Policy, as he discusses the legacy of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Dr Katy Jones, Research Fellow from the University's Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre, will be talking about the first major independent study into the universal credit system and Dr Joe Keenan, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, will be sharing some insight into why, come February, many of us have abandoned our new year's resolutions and offers some tips on how we can get back on track.  

To mark the start of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, we spoke to Dr Paul Brannagan, Senior Lecturer in Sport Policy and Management at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, about the controversies that have surrounded Qatar 2022 since it won the bid to host the tournament in 2010.  Dr Brannagan is the co-author of the book 'Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Politics, Controversy and Change'. In this episode of MetCast, we discuss why this World Cup is so controversial, the political motivations of Qatar, whether this was a good move for FIFA as a business, changes we have seen in the country,  and what the future might hold for Qatar. 

To mark the final day of COP27 – the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference – we spoke to Research Associate, Dr Carly Fletcher, about the potential for bioplastics to help reduce the impacts of plastic pollution. Bioplastics are plastics made from biological substances as opposed to petroleum or are materials that can biodegrade – making them more sustainable than conventional plastic materials, which are causing a great deal of harm to the planet. Dr Fletcher discusses the project she is involved in, which is looking at how bioplastic products can be developed and implemented in a safe and sustainable way. 

In this episode of MetCast we speak to Esme Morgan, Manchester City Women's Football Club defender, and Manchester Metropolitan University BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student.  Esme recently made her England national team debut and will be back with the squad again for their upcoming friendlies.  We caught up with her to discuss not just being called up to play for England, but also her experience playing for her home team Manchester City.  We also find out how she manages to fit in her studies around a full-time football career, and how she hopes her degree will support her not only whilst playing, but beyond football. 

With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup about to begin, we speak to two students from the University's Master of Sport Directorship programme about their roles in the sport of rugby league. We are joined by Danny Kazandjian, Secretary General of International Rugby League, and Doug Hammond, the England Men's First Team Doctor, as we look ahead to the tournament and find out more about their careers and university experiences.

As businesses across the country face a range of challenges, Manchester Met's support continues to help organisations to adapt, innovate and grow. In this episode of MetCast we are joined by Ann Mulhaney from the University's Centre for Enterprise, along with Dawn Duggan from the GC Business Growth Hub and the owners of digital platform company Niftyz.io and fast-food chain Archies. We discover how support from the University has helped them navigate challenges and grow their organisations. 

Ahead of the semi-finals of the netball tournament at the Commonwealth Games, we are joined by a panel of some of the sport's key figures. Dr Sam Oldfield from the University's Institute of Sport discusses her research into the history of the game, with the President of England Netball, Joan Mills, explaining the vision for the future. The former President of England Netball, Lindsay Satori, also joins us alongside Man Met alumna Imogen Greatbatch who now leads England Netball's volunteering.

Before the start of the Commonwealth Games 2022, we caught up with Adele Nicoll, shot putter and Manchester Metropolitan alumna who will be representing Team Wales at the Games. Adele talks about recently becoming a champion at the British Championships in Manchester, as well as her experience on the Team GB bobsleigh team at the Beijing Winter Olympics. She also talks about her hopes for the Commonwealth Games and gives an insight into the training and preparation of an elite athlete.

To mark the start of the Commonwealth Games 2022, we talk to Chloe Golding, backstroke swimmer and former sports scholar at Manchester Metropolitan who won a place at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Chloe looks back on her experience of competing in the 200m backstroke heats at her first Commonwealth Games at just 19. She talks about what she has learned from this experience, how our sports scholarship programme supported with her competitions and degree course, and how she is now helping to support athletes in her current role as Performance Lifestyle Officer at Manchester Metropolitan.

In this episode of MetCast, we speak with Dr Paul Brannagan, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management and Policy at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport about how nation states and brands use sport and sporting events as a vehicle to gain soft power and boost their country's reputation and their social, political and economical goals. With the Tour de France coming to an end, Dr Brannagan discusses how the event might be used in the same way, and more generally on how and why world leaders do this and whether it works.

With the Tour de France 2022 well underway, and competitors about to embark on an epic climb up Alpe d'Huez, we discuss the psychology involved in a mountain stage and how cyclists prepare for the ultimate test of endurance.  We speak to Dr Ben Marshall, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport, who as well as an expert sports psychologist is also a huge cycling fan. 

Issue 10 of Met Magazine includes a number of features about our latest research and stories from some of our alumni about life after Manchester Metropolitan University. In this episode of MetCast, hear some of the interviews that made up the latest edition, including on our research into healthy ageing, climate adaptation, the Manchester Voices project, the impact of COVID-19 on the theatre industry and interviews with some of our elite athletes.

With Wimbledon 2022 well underway, we discuss the impacts that competing in elite level tennis is having on the bones of players.  With players such as Rafael Nadal recently suffering from bone injuries that have effected their performance, we wanted to talk to Dr Alex Ireland from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, about his research in this area, and the work he has done with tennis players around bone health.     

In this episode of MetCast, we discuss the history of the tennis racket, its mechanics, and importantly, how this has changed the game of tennis through the years.  Dr Tom Allen, Senior Lecturer in Sports Engineering at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, explains how the transformation of the racket, including the evolution of its shape and the materials used to make it, have changed the pace of the game as well as the gameplay of competitors.   He also explains what the future of the tennis racket, and game, might look like. 

In our latest series of episodes of MetCast, we're looking at the Winter Olympics and exploring how expertise and research from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport is influencing sporting performance and supporting healthy living. In this episode, we talk to Adele Nicoll, MSc Psychology graduate, former sport scholar and current British bobsleigh reserve. Adele started as a ShotPut athlete until an impressive training video on Instagram in 2020 led her to be scouted by the British bobsleigh team. Sixteen months later, Adele is now a Bobsleigh World Cup silver medalist and is part of the British team at the Winter Olympics as a reserve. She talks about her journey from the shot put field to the bobsleigh track, her experience so far, how she did all of this while studying for her degree and her hopes for the future.

In our latest series of episodes of MetCast, we're looking at the Winter Olympics and exploring how expertise and research from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport is influencing sporting performance and supporting healthy living. In this episode, we talk to Sarah Collins, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design and Technology, about the different types of sports apparel that we will see athletes wearing at the Winter Olympic games. Sarah Collins talks about the different design, styles and fashions as well as discussing how this technical clothing can help with performance.

In our latest series of episodes of MetCast, we're looking at the Winter Olympics and exploring how expertise and research from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport is influencing sporting performance and supporting healthy living. In this episode, we talk to sports psychologist Dr Martin Turner  about how winter athletes mentally prepare for the Olympic Games and how mental visualisation can help them land perfect routine or recover from a fall.  

In our latest series of episodes of MetCast, we're looking at the Winter Olympics and exploring how expertise and research from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport is influencing sporting performance and supporting healthy living. In this episode, we talk to sports nutrition experts Dr James Cameron and Ozcan Esen about how winter athletes get themselves in peak condition to compete.  They give rare insight into the different challenges of fuelling for winter sports, including the role of sports nutritionists in helping athletes contend with high altitude, low temperatures and dehydration.  They also discuss how nutrition and psychology can interact, and how to help an athlete combat race day nerves before the biggest event of their lives. 

In our latest series of episodes of MetCast, we're looking at the Winter Olympics and exploring how expertise and research from Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport is influencing sporting performance and supporting healthy living. In this episode, we talk to Dr Thomas Allen, Senior Lecturer in Sports Engineering, about the emerging trends in the sports equipment and technology we will see showcased at the Winter Olympics games. Dr Allen talks about how new technology can help athletes with their training, improve performance and reduce injuries. We also discuss some of the latest trends in consumer products linked to the sports we will see at the games and how people can be inspired to take up a new sport.

In this episode of MetCast, we discuss the state of health in the UK and what needs to be done to become a healthier nation.  Professor Bill Ollier, author of Saving Sick Britain, talks about the challenges faced by the NHS as more and more people are diagnosed with chronic illnesses including diabetes and obesity each year, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the issue. He also discusses the correlation between deprivation and health expectancy across the country and offers recommendations for an improved quality of life for all. 

In this episode of MetCast, we talk about the issues of going through complex fertility journeys at work.  There are 3.5 million people in the UK facing fertility issues, whether that be infertility, going through fertility treatments, or experiencing miscarriage. Researchers in the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity are looking into the experiences of those going through these journeys in the workplace, in order to find out more and fill a gap in knowledge around fertility and help organisations better support employees going through these challenging journeys. We speak to Dr Krystal Wilkinson, a senior lecturer in human resource management at Manchester Metropolitan University, who is part of the research team.  

In this episode of MetCast, we look at the vital role the Amazon rainforest plays in capturing carbon and what needs to be done to save it. We spoke with Dr Alex Lees, a researcher from Manchester Metropolitan, who has spent several years working in the Amazon to learn more about how best we can protect it. Dr Lees has also contributed to a major new report being launched at COP26, which brings together experts from all over the world to look at all aspects of Amazon sustainability.

In this episode of MetCast, we talk about how Greater Manchester is planning to adapt to mitigate some of the risks that climate change will bring in the future – from increased risk of flooding, to the dangers rising temperatures bring.  Senior Lecturer, Dr Paul O'hare discusses his work with the Manchester Climate Change Agency as he supports the refreshment of the climate change policy in the region.     

In this episode of MetCast, we chat about Carbon Literacy at Manchester Met – and how it's being used to help councils, schools and businesses. Led by Dr Rachel Dunk, Carbon Literacy is training and teaching people about the steps they and their organisations can take to live cleaner and greener lives. So far, thousands have been trained in Carbon Literacy around the world thanks to the University.

On Wednesday, October 27, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak will deliver his next Budget and Spending Review to the House of Commons. In the latest episode of MetCast we hear from Christian Spence, Head of Future Economies Analytics in Manchester Metropolitan's Future Economies Research Centre, about what we can expect to hear from the Chancellor and where the Government's spending priorities may lie. Feedback is always welcome, as are reviews and ratings on iTunes, so please head there to let us know what you think. If you'd like to contact us – or feel you've got a story we should cover – please get in touch via content@mmu.ac.uk.

In this episode of MetCast, we speak to four experts from the Manchester Metropolitan University Fuel Cell Innovation Centre about the Government's newly launched UK Hydrogen Strategy.  In August 2021, the Government announced its plan for a world-leading hydrogen economy – the first of its kind in the UK.  Amer Gaffar, Dr Ian Madley, Dr Yagya Regmi and Dr Laurie King from the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre – a £4 million technology hub leading the way in harnessing renewable energy – delve into the role hydrogen will play in helping us move towards a NetZero world and discuss the impacts of the new strategy in the UK. 

In this episode of MetCast, we chat to Jackie Newton, Manchester Met Exercise and Sports Science MA graduate.  Jackie was Director of Coaching and Athlete Development for Athletics Northern Ireland going into this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping to prepare athletes for the biggest competition of their lives. She is now starting a new role as Head of Coaching Development for British Athletics.  In this episode, recorded before the Olympics got underway, you'll hear everything from how Jackie's time at Manchester Met helped her to embrace a career in elite sport, to how she prepared for this summer and a competition like no other. 

In this episode of MetCast, we chat to Helen Scott, Manchester Met sport and exercise science student and Paralympic track cyclist. Helen is currently out in Tokyo ready to compete in the kilo and individual pursuit events with her stoker Aileen McGlynn. Helen and Aileen last competed together at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where the pair walked away with a silver and bronze medal.  In this episode you'll hear about the challenges Helen has faced in the last 18 months, her hopes for the games and life while studying and training for the Paralympics.