Public lecture podcasts

Join Placement Officer, Katherine Bright, and two students - Betty and Roxy - to discuss the joys, challenges and surprises which form the reality of Being on Placement. Email your ideas and suggestions for future episodes to fac-sci-placements@bath.ac.uk

Join Placement Officer, Katherine Bright, with her guests Maia Thorne from Student Support, and student, Anna, to discuss how to make the most of your first few weeks on placement. Transcript available here- https://xerte.bath.ac.uk/play.php?template_id=3565#page1section5

Will Hutton and Polly Toynbee review the reforms and strategies of the new government and to discuss how it has been addressing the pressing economic, social and political challenges we face. They discuss the government's key missions – economic growth, clean energy, safer streets, opportunities for all and an NHS fit for the future – and the actions they have taken on these so far. Where do we need to see new policy development to deliver lasting economic and social change? Chaired by Dr Sophie Whiting. This University of Bath IPR event took place on 24 April 2025.

Join Katherine Bright, Placement Officer for the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, to discuss the common mistakes students make when applying for placement. In this episode, Katherine is joined by Helen Cooke, CEO for MyPlus, and then Maia Thorne and Susan Fielding, Team Leads within the university who support our disabled students. For more information on going on placement, please contact your Placement Officer or email fac-sci-placements@bath.ac.uk

In the University of Bath's A Place for Possible podcast, you can hear current undergraduate and postgraduate students share their experiences of studying at Bath. In episode 4, some of our international students talk about relocating to the UK, and the kinds of support they've received at Bath to help them settle and make the most of their time at the University. You can read a full transcript of the episode at https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/a-place-for-possible-podcast-episode-4-transcript/

In the University of Bath's A Place for Possible podcast, you can hear current undergraduate and postgraduate students share their experiences of studying at Bath. In episode 3, our students talk about their placements, internships, and the career support they've received at Bath. Read a full transcript of the episode at https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/a-place-for-possible-podcast-episode-3-transcript/

In the University of Bath's A Place for Possible podcast, you can hear current undergraduate and postgraduate students share their experiences of studying at Bath. In episode 2, our students talk about sustainability and how you can get involved as a student.

The well-being economy framework provides a comprehensive lens to analyse the intersection of economic, social, and ecological sustainability, ensuring the well-being of people and the planet both now and for future generations. The commercial determinants of health offer a key area where the well-being economy framework can be applied to guide decision-making. Industries such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and the production of highly processed foods illustrate how economic interests can conflict with long-term social and ecological sustainability. While these industries generate employment and tax revenues, they impose significant costs on public health, healthcare systems, and environmental sustainability. The well-being economy framework allows for a more holistic assessment of these industries, encouraging policymakers to look beyond immediate economic benefits and consider the broader implications for public health and environmental well-being. By integrating commercial determinants of health into decision-making, governments can design policies that mitigate harmful industry practices while promoting economic activities that align with long-term societal well-being. This seminar was delivered by Professor Heikki Hiilamo on 25 March 2025.

According to The Rivers Trust's State of Our Rivers 2024 report, just 15% of England's river stretches achieved good ecological health and none are in good overall status. Failures can be attributed to multiple sources, including agriculture and rural land management activities, treated and untreated sewage discharge, and urbanisation and transport pollutants. Mark Lloyd (CEO, The Rivers Trust) and Helen Wakeham (Director of Water, Environment Agency) discuss what needs to be done to tackle the problems and restore our waterways to health. How can we address monitoring and policy gaps, and how do we make sure that the solutions and policies put in place are fit for the future as new threats emerge? Chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds. This University of Bath IPR event took place on 19 March 2025.

In the University of Bath's A Place for Possible podcast, you can hear current undergraduate and postgraduate students share their experiences of studying at Bath. In episode 1, our students talk about their experiences of living in Bath and the different kinds of accommodation on offer.

Join Katherine Bright, Placement Officer for the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, to discuss Top Tips for Interviews. In this episode, Katherine is joined by Jo Rouse from the careers service. For more information on going on placement, please contact your Placement Officer or email fac-sci-placements@bath.ac.uk

Join Katherine Bright, Placement Officer for the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, to discuss the common mistakes students make when applying for placement. In this episode, Katherine is joined by Jo Rouse, careers consultant for the Faculty of Science, and Shyan, a physics student who has recently returned from his own placement. For more information on going on placement, please contact your Placement Officer or email fac-sci-placements@bath.ac.uk

Join Katherine Bright, Placement Officer for the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, to discuss the Benefits of going on a 12 month industrial placement. In this episode, Katherine is joined by Jonny Hodgson, plus interviews with students who have returned from their placement, and several employers who regularly host our science students. For more information on going on placement, please contact your Placement Officer or email fac-sci-placements@bath.ac.uk

Democracy is future-oriented and self-correcting: today's problems can be solved, we are told, in tomorrow's elections. But the biggest issues facing the modern world – from climate collapse and pandemics to recession and world war – each apparently bring us to the edge of the irreversible. What happens to democracy when the future seems no longer open? Jonathan White explores how politics has long been directed by shifting visions of the future, from the birth of ideologies in the nineteenth century to Cold War secrecy and the excesses of the neoliberal age. He is in conversation with Professor Peter Allen, University of Bath. About the speaker: Jonathan White is Professor of Politics at the London School of Economics. Based at LSE's European Institute, he has published widely on democracy and the politics of emergency. He has written for the Guardian and New Statesman, and received the British Academy Brian Barry Prize for Excellence in Political Science. He is the author of In the Long Run: The Future as a Political Idea. This IPR event took place on 5 February 2025.

University of Bath Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor, introduces the State of Disappearance exhibition.

The Void by University of Bath

Realm of Words by University of Bath

Apparitions by University of Bath

Fragments of a catastrophe by University of Bath

Collapse of consciousness by University of Bath

Obscure Beasts by University of Bath

In this episode we explore some of the contemporary tensions within women's sport. On the one hand, we are seeing the collective celebration of progress - fuelled by recent successes such as those in football not only in terms of performances, broadcast reach and viewer engagement - yet on the other hand, gender inequalities persist. You'll hear from leading experts in women's sport research, Dr Jessica Francombe-Webb and Dr Fiona Spotswood, for a discussion about postfeminism, media representation and some of the complexities that shape women's sport experiences and the different levers of change. Drawing on their extensive research expertise, they unpack the some of these tensions around inspiring advances and persistent challenges. They celebrate the progress narrative, whilst also raising critical questions that challenge some of the inequalities in sport. These include, of course, gender-based violence experienced by women who exercise and play sport; the gender gap in participation rates; and some of the challenges around leadership. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer Useful links: - Dr Jessica Francombe-Webb: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/jessica-francombe-webb - Dr Fiona Spotswood: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/people/person/Fiona-Spotswood-eed34c90-5332-4fc1-a08d-65a5baf0aa74/ - The emergence of new mountain biking media practices: toward a culture of inclusive mountain biking https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17430437.2024.2424556

Lauren Fedor, the FT's US political correspondent and deputy bureau chief in Washington, reflects on the results and their impact on both America and the wider world. Discussing the implications of the campaigns and the results for democracy, governance and the political landscape moving forward, this event will also consider the incoming administration and the likely direction of US policies in key areas. She is in conversation with Professor Nick Pearce, Director of the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath. About the speaker: Lauren Fedor is the FT's US political correspondent and deputy bureau chief in Washington, where she covers the White House, Congress and national politics, including the 2024 presidential election. Lauren joined the FT in 2016 in London, where she worked in a variety of roles, as both a reporter and an editor. This IPR event took place on 27 November 2024.

Should architecture be used for punishment? How might the spaces we inhabit nurture or damage us? How can we begin to start over after the worst has happened? Criminologist Yvonne Jewkes grapples with these questions every day as the world's leading expert on rehabilitative prison design; she also faced them in her personal life when her partner of 25 years left her in the middle of a nightmare renovation project and then lockdown saw her trapped there. Used to fighting the punitive prison system to create spaces that encourage reflection, healing, even hope for those incarcerated, she had to learn to be similarly compassionate to herself, considering what might help someone at the lowest point in their life to rebuild. Challenging our expectations of what prisons are for, she takes us along their corridors, into cells, communal spaces, visitors' areas, and staffrooms, to the architects' studios where they are designed, and even into her own home, to show us the importance of an architecture of hope in the face of despair. She is in conversation with Professor Joe Devine (University of Bath). This Institute for Policy Research (IPR) event took place on 20 November 2024. Find out more about the IPR here: https://www.bath.ac.uk/research-institutes/institute-for-policy-research/

In this episode, Steffi and Max talk to Pro-Vice Chancellor (Student Experience), and ex-Sport and Exercise Science Lecturer, Professor Cassie Wilson; and two Health and Exercise Science graduates turned Students' Union Representatives, Abbie and David. The topic of discussion is how the University of Bath looks after its students to provide a positive experience for all. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

This episode of Science on the Run welcomes Dr Jenn Maher. Our resident Floridian tells us about her work focussed on understanding the challenges of exercising in people with spinal cord injury, and her interventions designed to improve their health and fitness. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

In this Special Episode, Roland Pease meets three University of Bath graduates who are making impacts in industry. Claire Smith is Director of Buro Happold in Bath. A structural engineer, she discusses her work in the city and beyond - and in boosting the sustainability of a local landmark, Bath Abbey, by combining cutting-edge technology with the city's natural hot springs. Meri Williams has held multiple leading management roles since completing her degree in Computer Information Systems, leading scale-ups and expansions of major names including Gov.uk, Procter & Gamble and now at financial services company Pleo, with a focus on recognising and encouraging diversity in teams. Bharat Shah was one of the first students to graduate from the University of Bath. He has grown a pharmacy wholesale business, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, from scratch and has a unique view into pharmacists' future as part of the UK healthcare system.

Would Lionel Messi have become one of the greatest football players of all time had he been born and raised as a player in England? Or would his physical deficiencies as a youngster have blocked his pathway and favoured stronger, faster young footballers? Science on the Run talks to our resident game-changing growth and maturation expert Professor Sean Cumming, who explains the role of growth and maturation on sports performance and how ‘biobanding' in youth sport and can improve an athlete's pathway to success. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

In this episode of Science on Run we are joined by Dr Jean-Philippe (JP) Walhin, to explores the vital interaction of exercise and diet on health outcomes and explain where these topics feature on the Sport and Exercise and Health and Exercise Science course at Bath. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Science on the Run explodes out the blocks as Director of Studies Adam Brazil talks about his applied research on sprint starts and gives us the inside scoop on the Sport and Exercise and Health and Exercise Science undergraduate courses - https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/sport-exercise-and-health/bsc-sport-and-exercise-science-with-professional-placement-or-study-abroad/

In this episode, we hear all about Professor Gillison's research on motivation and behaviour change as it relates to supporting weight loss efforts and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Find out more about our sport, exercise and health courses: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/sport-exercise-and-health/

We hear from two of our current students Megan and Zak, who give us an insight into a day in the life of a Bath student, what the courses are like for them and some top tips for applicants. Find out more about our sport, exercise and health courses: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/sport-exercise-and-health/

In this episode, Briony Smith share's her experiences of being one of the top up and coming female coaches in women's football. Briony recently graduated from the University of Bath with a first class degree in Sport, Management and Coaching. Briony was selected to take part in the Powerhouse Project, an initiative focused on empowering female coaches in sport and supporting the next generation of leaders. She was one of only 10 women selected from across the country to take part in a National Coach retreat in May, with Carla Ward. This year, she won the University of Bath Coach of the Year award. Briony also produced a first-class dissertation project ‘Breaking through the glass ceiling: unveiling barriers in women's football coaching education'. Briony talks about some of the opporunities and challenges she has faced as a female coach and her plans and the importance of coach education and leadership programmes to help tackle some of the existing gender inequalities in football coaching. Briony will be starting a new job in September with championship club Plymouth Argyle, coaching within their academies, centre of excellence and player pathways. Recently, Briony was also invited to host the first women's football podcast on the global sports podcasts. You can listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wFytQuEJ2GPLoTKj54e1d?si=QMV6vcg9R86IIBehALt7PQ&t=2 You can connect with Briony via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briony-smith-870163322/

During the Covid-19 Pandemic there was an accelerated growth in social media influencers focused on fitness. In this episode, Bath Graduate Holly Hall talks about her dissertation research project ‘An Exploration into how the Fitness Industry, Social Media, and COVID-19 have Influenced 18-to-22-year-old Women's Interpretations of a ‘Healthy Lifestyle'. In this episode, we talk about this trend and the content created around 'fitspiration', diet trends and body ideas. Through her research, Holly revealed some of the negative impacts this had on young women, particularly in terms of their relationships with exercise and their bodies. Holly recently graduated from the University of Bath with a first class degree in Sport Management and Coaching. Holly was also the recipient of the Department for Health undergraduate student prize for dissertation excellence. You can connect with Holly on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-hall-548639206/ Find out more about studying BSc IHOns) Sport Management and Coaching degree here: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/sport-exercise-and-health/bsc-sport-management-and-coaching-with-professional-placement/

Described as the ‘always connected' generation, generation Z or GenZ are driving demand for increased expansion and more immersive and engaging ways to consume sport. With sports organsations adapting ‘traditional' sports to stay relevant, what might this mean for the future of sport consumption? These questions were the focus of a recent study by University of Bath student Oliver Snoddy. In this episode, Professor Emma Rich talks with Olly about his research study and what it might mean for making sport relevant to the ‘always connected generation'. Oliver recently graduated with a BSc Sport Management and Coaching degree from the University of Bath. He was awarded the Department for Health undergraduate student prize for innovation in his final year research project titled ‘innovating to engage and expand, a critical analysis of the Major League Baseball home run derby x' which focuses on generation Z and emerging sports formats. You can contact Oliver via: oliversnoddy@yahoo.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/osnoddy/ You can find out more about studying on the BSc Sport Management and Coaching degree here: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2024/sport-exercise-and-health/bsc-sport-management-and-coaching/

In this episode, hear from leading experts in the area of Sport for Development about leveraging sport for positive social outcomes. Professor Emma Rich talks with Professor Andrew Parker and Dr Haydn Morgan from the SPHERE research centre, University of Bath. Professor Andrew Parker is, a SPHERE honorary and a highly regarded freelance leadership development consultant. He has worked at a number of UK universities and is internationally recognised for his work on sport development and marginalised youth. Dr Hadyn Morgan is a senior lecturer, in the Department for Health and a member of the SPHERE research team at the University of Bath. Haydn's research explores the connection between participation in sport and enhancement of social inclusion within marginalised populations. He has presented evidence at the All-Party Parliamentary group on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice Systems and contributed to a ministerial Taskforce in this area. Haydn and Andrew have been collaborating for a number of years and co-authored the book ‘Sport Physical Activity and Criminal justice: Politics policy and practice' https://www.routledge.com/Sport-Physical-Activity-and-Criminal-Justice-Politics-Policy-and-Practice/Morgan-Parker/p/book/9781032075846 We talk about sport and the criminal justice system, their latest research on comic relief's sport for change strategy, and how grassroots sport can be used to help young people develop a sense of belonging. For more information about their Comic Relief Sport for Change research project, the three summaries are now available, as is the full report (see links below). - Findings for sport for development organisations: https://downloads.ctfassets.net/zsfivwzfgl3t/60kUqgvFckZuvYEWGP2dcq/1e8e4fdbdeff1bb3ade7dbd86a69a504/Sport_for_Change_Practitioners.pdf - Findings for funders: https://downloads.ctfassets.net/zsfivwzfgl3t/3lKe8uDMzqjDsCNJed9TH8/98771ab325e957b191169571de0f83df/Sport_for_Change_Funders.pdf - Findings for Comic Relief existing and interested partners: https://downloads.ctfassets.net/zsfivwzfgl3t/AZ4cV7eUFHY6Tlb972CkL/15a73799ed445cb59592c8af92d8be2a/Sport_For_Change_Partners.pdf - Full report: https://assets.ctfassets.net/zsfivwzfgl3t/2QiFggkb9sqxC2bLpZcgIL/d3ba5d9f704a2b1792cb8eb5f321c54a/Sport_for_Change_Report.pdf Dr Hadyn Morgan: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/haydn-morgan https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydn-morgan-0b762139/?originalSubdomain=uk X @HaydnMorgan2 Professor Andrew Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-parker-44880140/?originalSubdomain=uk

One of the questions at the heart of this podcast is how do we make sport a better experience for all? Can we imagine a world where no one is excluded from sport because of sexism, misogyny, racism, classism or ableism? These questions of sporting values and equality are driving the work of Dr Sheree Bekker and Professor Stephen Mumford. They are co-directors of an exciting new initiative called the feminist sport lab - a gender inclusive space for the application of feminist principles to sport which ‘imagines a sports world divided not into Sport and Women's Sport, but rather a landscape where Feminist Sport reigns'. In this episode, Sheree and Stephen talk about the feminist lab and their new book ‘Open play: the case for feminist sport' – In that book, they advocate for a feminist perspective on sport, challenging conventional wisdom on the inferiority of women's athleticism. You can read more about the Feminist Sport Lab here: https://www.feministsportlab.com Dr Sheree Bekker: https://shereebekker.me; https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/sheree-bekker Professor Stephen Mumford: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/stephen-mumford/; https://stephenmumfordblog.wordpress.com

To a host of observers, reducing economic inequality should not just be a goal but a top priority, because inequality has harmful consequences for a range of other things we care about, including living standards, democracy, equality of opportunity, health and happiness. But is there a compelling case for significantly reducing economic inequality? At this IPR event, Professor Lane Kenworthy, who has examined the experience of the rich democratic nations in the era of high and rising income inequality, from 1979 to 2019, shares his latest research. He has found that the evidence that inequality has had damaging effects is underwhelming. Reducing income inequality, he says, isn't likely to significantly boost living standards for the poor or the middle class. It probably won't do much to equalise political influence. It's unlikely to help much with equalisation of economic opportunity and it probably won't make much difference for our health. And it's doubtful that it will facilitate a rise in happiness. Instead, we're likely to make more progress in these areas by addressing them directly, rather than by pursuing them indirectly via a reduction in income inequality or wealth inequality. Reducing economic inequality should be a secondary goal, not a principal aim. This IPR lecture took place on 16 May 2024.

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy in the world to sign its commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 into law. Mission Zero, commissioned in September 2022 and published in November 2023, was a landmark independent report into the delivery of the UK's net zero commitment. Chaired by Chris Skidmore, the UK's former Energy Minister who was responsible for signing net zero into law, the review asked how the UK could better meet its net zero commitments, and how it might deliver targets in a way that works for all. Its conclusions set out a new economic narrative for climate policy, demonstrating the financial opportunity that net zero can deliver. In this IPR event, the panellists discuss the UK's transition to net zero. What challenges and opportunities will the UK face? How can we deliver net zero while also creating new jobs, industries and investment? How do we ensure that as we reduce our emissions, the transition is fair and creates a better future for everyone? With Alix Dietzel (University of Bristol), Joss Garman (European Climate Foundation) and Chris Skidmore. Chaired by Lorraine Whitmarsh (University of Bath). This panel discussion took place on 15 May 2024.

In this episode, Professor Emma Rich talks with Professor Holly Thorpe (University of Waikato, New Zealand) an award-winning sociologist of sport, physical culture and gender. We discuss her work on gender and some of the contemporary opportunities and challenges in digital, physical and sporting cultures. You can read more about Holly's work here: profiles.waikato.ac.nz/holly.thorpe

In this episode, we talk with Dr Jack Black from Sheffield Hallam University. We begin with an exploration of what Psychoanalysis might offer Sport. We then discuss Jack's recent research on tackling online hate in football. Dr Jack Black, an Associate Professor of Culture, Media, and Sport at Sheffield Hallam University. We discuss Jack's latest book 'The Psychosis of Race: A Lacanian Approach to Racism and Racialization' (Routledge, 2023) and explore what psychoanalysis might offer sport. We also discuss his UKRI/AHRC funded project, 'Tackling Online Hate in Football', which analyses examples of online hate across digital media platforms. You can find out more about Jack's work here: https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-profiles/jack-black

Athletes, fans, sports organisations are frequently the focus of global media for what might be described as transgressions or controversies which emerge as ‘scandals'. In this episode, we talk with Professor David Rowe about his work on media and sport scandals, exploring issues such as the amplification of issues, racism and the recent case of Sam Kerr and the challenges that confront us as we move further into AI. You can read more about Professor Rowe's work here: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ics/people/emeritus_professors/david_rowe

In this episode Professor Emma Rich talks with SPHERE doctoral researcher Zoe Jeffery about how we make Physical Education and Sport more inclusive for girls. Just recently in the UK, the Women and Equalities Committee published a report suggesting ‘Existing programmes and interventions from the Government and other bodies, while welcome, do not yet go far enough in addressing these barriers and are yet to reverse alarming downward trends in girls' enjoyment of PE'. In this episode, Zoe shares some of the insights from her doctoral research study which has explored the experiences of adolescent girls in PE. Adopting a novel perspective, she focuses on how the material elements of PE such as PE kit and equipment, holding the capacity to affect and shape girls bodies. Working with these girls in a series of design workshops, she provided them with virtual reality technology through which they could ‘reimagine' and ‘redesign' PE. In the episode, she also talks about a new app she is launching to to help make PE more engaging, ‘Vibestride'. - Find out more about Zoe's work: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/zoe-jeffery - Connect with Zoe on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-jeffery-962063b7/?originalSubdomain=uk

Economic growth in the UK has been sluggish ever since the global financial crisis. More recent large-scale disruptions caused by Brexit and Covid-19 have created additional challenges to growth and the vital public services, institutions, and fiscal measures that underpin it. Productivity and public investment remain low. Meanwhile, stalling wage growth and the cost-of-living crisis continue to eat into households' disposable income, discouraging spending while also deepening economic inequalities. What policies might underpin a new vision for prosperity – one that focuses not purely on growth but also ensures that economic gains are widely shared and environmentally sustainable? This IPR panel discussion featured Torsten Bell, Professor Dame Diane Coyle and Dr Anna Valero. It took place on 25 April 2024. Hosted with Resolution Foundation.

This event marked the launch of the new Institute for Policy Research report: "Coping and hoping: Navigating the ups and downs of monthly assessment in universal credit". The report, written by Dr Rita Griffiths and Dr Marsha Wood, explores how the system of monthly assessment in Universal Credit – used for assessing entitlement, recovering debts and calculating payment – is affecting income security and financial well-being in working households. The research, funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, tracked changes in earnings and household income, in real time, between 2022 and 2023 tracked changes in earnings and household income, in real time, between 2022 and 2023, among 61 Universal Credit claimants in 42 working households with one or two earners in paid work or self-employment. The specific research questions the study sought to answer were: - How stable or volatile are monthly household incomes and what are the key drivers? - To what extent does Universal Credit dampen or accentuate income insecurity and help with household budgeting? - Is the adjustment to the Universal Credit payment in response to changes in earnings timely and smooth? - Is household income sufficient to generate a buffer and cover reductions in the Universal Credit payment when earnings rise? - What budgeting strategies do participants use to manage fluctuating payments and variations in household income? - To what extent does monthly assessment incentivise employment, longer working hours and higher earnings? - What conclusions and policy implications can be drawn from the findings and what policy recommendations can be made? The event included a presentation from the report authors, Dr Rita Griffiths and Dr Marsha Wood, and audience questions. It took place on 16 April 2024.

Science and politics have collaborated throughout human history, and science is repeatedly invoked today in political debates, from pandemic management to climate change. But the relationship between the two is muddled and muddied. In this IPR lecture, leading policy analyst Geoff Mulgan calls attention to the growing frictions caused by the expanding authority of science, which sometimes helps politics but often challenges it. He dissects the complex history of states' use of science for conquest, glory and economic growth and shows the challenges of governing risk – from nuclear weapons to genetic modification, artificial intelligence to synthetic biology. He shows why the governance of science has become one of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century, ever more prominent in daily politics and policy. This IPR event took place on 26 March 2024.

Devolution to nations, regions and cities has been a feature of British politics since 1997 - to the nations of the UK, Greater London and more recently to other English counties and city regions. It has led in some cases to significant change and the rise of powerful national institutions and city leaders, but it has also been a messy, incomplete process that has produced inequalities of power between different parts of the UK. Not all areas have seen substantive devolution, devolved authorities have different powers, considerable power is still hoarded in the central UK state, and the consequences of devolution for the constitution of the UK, and relations between its constituent nations, remain fraught and contested. Some argue that England should be formally recognised as a partner nation in the UK; others that devolution has gone too far. How has devolution worked in practice? What should the next government do? What can places ask for? Can we move from an overly centralised state to one where true power rests with elected representatives and local communities? Should we consider a federal future for the UK? In this IPR panel discussion, Zoë Billingham (IPPR North), joins Michael Kenny (Bennett Institute for Public Policy, Cambridge), Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, and Hannah White (Institute for Government). Hosted by Nick Pearce, Director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Professor of Public Policy. This discussion took place on 27 February 2024 and was hosted with Bristol Ideas.

Britain is facing a teacher retention and recruitment crisis which has the potential to severely impact schools' ability to provide quality education to all students. The latest workforce survey by the Department for Education (DfE) indicates that record numbers of teachers working in state schools – about one in ten – left the profession for reasons other than retirement in 2021-22. In a recent survey conducted as part of Education Support's Commission on Teacher Retention, more than one in five secondary teachers expected to leave the profession within five years' time. Meanwhile, new national data on the teacher labour market shows that across the vast majority of secondary subjects, recruitment targets are not being met, suggesting that teacher shortages are likely to intensify in the future. In this IPR event, Professor Simon Burgess, Evelyn Forde MBE and Jack Worth discuss the factors influencing teacher retention and recruitment – such as excessive workload, insufficient pay, lack of career development opportunities, and challenging working environments – as well as the policy interventions that could improve the attractiveness of teaching as a profession. Hosted by Matt Dickson. This IPR event took place on 22 February 2024.

Over the last 12 months, we've witnessed an explosion of discussion and debate on artificial intelligence among UK Members of Parliament. But what do they think about AI, and what are their concerns? James Boyd-Wallis from the Appraise Network, an AI policy forum, explains the findings of its survey of how MPs feel about AI. The research reveals to what extent MPs feel regulators have the necessary skills and expertise to regulate AI, how optimistic and pessimistic MPs are toward the technology, and their concerns about jobs, society, and the speed of development. This IPR event took place on 24 January 2024.

In Episode Six of the University of Bath's Research with Impact podcast, Roland Pease visits the Centre for Pain Research to find out how its academics are helping people who suffer from pain. How big an issue is it? Is it a subjective problem - and how to we quantify pain? How can we help minimise or alleviate pain? And how do we research pain in young people? Joining Roland are Professor Christopher Eccleston, Dr Emma Fisher and Professor Ed Keogh. This episode was recorded in October 2023.

In Episode Five of the University of Bath's Research with Impact podcast, Roland visits two researchers at the forefront of debates surrounding AI development and regulation. First up, it's Nello Cristianini, Professor of Artificial Intelligence from Bath's Department of Computer Science. With a focus on machine learning, data science, computational social science, philosophy of AI and regulation of AI, Nello's book "The Shortcut: Why Intelligent Machines Do Not Think Like Us", considers how AI is embedded across our technologies, infrastructure and all our lives and asks whether we should be concerned and what should we do. Roland also heads to our Department of Social & Policy Sciences to talk to Professor Emma Carmel. Emma is Professor of Governance and Public Policy with a particular focus on how public policies, and public and private organisations interact to shape society. Emma's work has analysed social and labour market policies, migration, and most recently, AI technologies. She is interested in how AI systems are used by governments, and how this is changing the relationship between state, society, citizens and technologies. She also works on the public policy challenges that the adoption of AI presents in different settings and how it can be regulated. Among other work, Emma is co-editor of a major new international handbook on AI and Public Policy, is launching a book series on Governance, Technology and Society (Edward Elgar) in 2024. This episode was recorded in October 2023.