Podcasts about university's department

Professor Stephen Emmitt, from the University's Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, delivers his inaugural lecture on 'living with buildings'. This puts forward an argument for improving the way in which architects manage design at a project and practice level - the architecture of practice. Professor Emmitt proposes that architects need to demonstrate the value of good design to their clients; something that can be achieved by (re) engaging with construction and applying effective management, resulting in architects being better positioned to influence the quality of what is built.

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Julie Barnett from the University's Department of Psychology examines what can we learn from social media content and the way social media is used by individuals and organisations.

In his inaugural lecture, Deputy Director of the PVRC in the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Chris Brace discusses what the future holds for automotive propulsion. During the 20th century the growth of affordable personal mobility changed the way we live and work. Today the passenger car as we know it is under increasing pressure from changing expectations, including air quality, safety, sustainability and CO2. In addition, driver needs and expectations are changing as we move to a more urban way of living. This lecture sets out some of the challenges ahead and examines some likely directions that personal mobility will take in the future. Once we have an idea of future developments, what will the implications be for powertrain research?

As the latest Warner Bros fantasy blockbuster, The Hobbit, hits the cinema screens, Dr Alison Milbank of the University's Department of Theology and Religious Studies, offers her insights into J.R.R.Tolkien and his famous novel. The film based on the adventures of Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf companions will, she says, fulfil deeper needs in modern society than pure entertainment.

Professor Adrian Hyde-Price from the University's Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies examines the nature and causes of contemporary war and conflict, and considers the prospect of peace in the 21st Century.

How vulnerable are our historic buildings to earthquakes and how can we preserve them from seismic tremors? Dr Dina D'Ayala from the University's Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering discusses the development of methods to protect and preserve historic buildings from seismic damage.

Professor Chris McMahon, from the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, considers some of the most complex design challenges faced by engineers through the ages, from designing ships in the 17th century, to the modern computer-assisted design of cars and planes

Professor Saiful Islam, of the University's Department of Chemistry, gives a flavour of the fascinating chemistry behind green technologies such as hybrid petrol-electric cars and fuel cells.

Dr Adrian Scott, from the University's Department of Psychology, considers the fallibility of human memory and how past experience and knowledge of the world influence recollection.