Shows
Career Zone PodcastPlacement Year Unpacked: A Conversation with Placement AmbassadorsIn this week’s episode, Employability and Careers Consultant, Ben Toulson, speaks to our Centre for Geography and Environmental Science Placement Ambassadors, Sophie Hartop, Abi Brookes and Sasha Clark.
Sophie, Abi and Sasha share their placement year experiences, including discussions around what they gained from their placements, how they found and secured them, the logistics of placements, and returning to university the following year.
Further resources:
Contact the Career Zone to book a placement appointment with a member of the team.
Take a look at our work placement pages.
Explore the Placements Hub.
2026-01-2121 min
The InquiryIs Trump building a crypto economy?Donald Trump once dismissed cryptocurrencies as a scam. But since returning to office, his view of them has shifted dramatically. In July, President Trump signed new legislation aimed at integrating crypto into the financial mainstream. Members of the Trump family have launched their own ventures, generating significant profits and boosting the visibility of digital currencies in American politics. Supporters say this could reassert the dominance of the US dollar in a changing global economy, while critics warn of economic volatility and regulatory gaps. How did crypto go from fringe to front-and-centre in Trump’s economic vi...
2025-10-0723 minThe InquiryWhat will happen after the International Space Station?The International Space Station will be decommissioned in 2030 and crash down into the Pacific Ocean, ending more than three decades of international cooperation. Launched in the wake of the Cold War, the ISS is seen as a triumph of global diplomacy between the US, Russia and other nations. Its demise will mark the end of an era.Nasa has awarded contracts to commercial companies to develop potential successors to the ISS, and maintain a U.S. presence in low earth orbit. Meanwhile Russia and India have said they plan to launch their own individual stations...
2024-11-0422 minThe InquiryHow might the next US President affect the war in Ukraine?Ukraine’s President Zelensky recently presented his ‘Victory Plan’ to end the war in Ukraine to both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the two candidates competing to be the next President of the United States of America. President Zelensky’s view is that if his plan is supported by Ukraine’s allies, then the war could be ended by next year. But both US Presidential candidates, whilst in agreement that the war has to stop, have expressed a very different approach to how they would work towards that. And there are concerns from Ukraine that there will be a signi...
2024-10-2222 minThe InquiryAre synthetic opioids a global problem?An increasing number of people are dying from misuse of synthetic opioids. In 2022, the US recorded over 70,000 overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids. The government is spending billions to combat the effects of these super strength drugs.
Synthetic opioids, such as Fentanyl, are made in laboratories by using materials derived from the opium poppy. China is a major hub for the production of synthetic opioids, where it then makes its way to North America through Mexican drug cartels. The lab-made drugs can be more deadly than the natural materials, but they are more easily accessible, and prevalence is...
2024-04-1823 min
The Climate QuestionWhy are women more affected by climate change?The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world. Research shows that some groups are disproportionately affected. Women already face many socioeconomic, cultural, and political inequities, with those living in areas heavily impacted by natural disasters related to climate change, such as floods, drought, and coastal erosion, enduring even worse outcomes. So what can be done to address this?Presenter Sophie Eastaugh is joined by:
Dr. Mayesha Alam, Vice President of Research at FP Analytics, senior fellow at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, and professor at Johns Hopkins University
Verania Chao...
2023-05-2827 minThe Climate QuestionWhy are 15-minute cities so unpopular?The idea of cities where everything you need on a daily basis can be reached within a quarter of an hour by foot or bike has grown in popularity in recent years, as local authorities adopt more sustainable approaches to urban planning. In theory, by having work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure all within a short distance could reduce dependency on cars, improving personal health and lowering carbon emissions. But the idea of adapting cities in this way hasn’t been universally-welcomed.
Presenter Graihagh Jackson is joined by:
Jay Pitter, author and urban planner
Mark Watts, Executive Director at C4...
2023-05-0727 minThe Climate QuestionIs there a greener way to rank successful economies?Many blame our obsession with economic growth as being one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The United Nations is currently looking at options for what might replace Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the world’s primary go-to indicator of success, taking into account factors including sustainability and the natural environment. If this happens, it would be the biggest shift in how economies are measured since nations first started using GDP in 1953, 70 years ago.Presenter Graihagh Jackson is joined by:
Ehsan Masood, author, science journalist and an editor at the journal, Nature;
Diane Coyle, economist and Be...
2023-05-0127 minThe Climate QuestionCan artificial intelligence help farmers adapt to the effects of climate change?The effects of climate change on weather patterns around the world, including seasonal temperatures and rainfalls, are being felt keenly in agriculture – with shifting seasons and varying yields undermining years of habit-formed knowledge and process. Technology experts are helping farmers, including in some of the world’s poorest regions, adapt to the new food production landscape through the use of artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine learning.Presenters Sophie Eastaugh and Luke Jones are joined by:
Ranveer Chandra, Managing Director for Research for Industry and the CTO of Agri-Food at Microsoft
Himanshu Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Clim...
2023-03-2026 minThe Climate QuestionCan investors change an oil company from within?Some oil and gas giants are being pushed by shareholders to adopt more climate friendly strategies. An environmental law charity is suing the directors of a global oil company, arguing their climate strategy is not adequate to meet current targets, supported by other shareholders. Elsewhere, a group of investors in another fossil fuel giant, recently unseated multiple board members in an effort to force a change of direction. How effective is this form of activism?
Presenter Paul Connolly is joined by:
Chris James, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Engine No.1, US
Camila Domonoske, NPR...
2023-03-1327 minThe Climate QuestionCan the ski industry survive climate change?Record-breaking temperatures in the Alps in Europe have led to a disappointing ski season so far. Some slopes have been more brown than white, while others have been forced to close all together. Many worry this is a bad omen for the whole industry – which employs thousands globally. This is part of a wider trend of unpredictable weather. Some ski resorts are trying to adapt, by making artificial snow for example, but these short-term measures aren’t always sustainable. It’s predicted that the Alps will have 25% less snow by 2050, whereas resorts in Arctic Sweden are fo...
2023-02-2727 min
ProfileGareth BaleWales are heading to their first football World Cup since 1958. Their captain is Gareth Bale, who was once the most expensive footballer in the world. Born in Cardiff in 1989, Gareth was first spotted at the age of nine by Southampton. He become their second-youngest player of all time when he broke into the first-team aged 16, and enjoyed two seasons with the south coast club before moving to the Premier League with Tottenham.It was in North London that Bale announced himself on the European stage, eventually securing a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid for...
2022-11-1914 minProfilePat CullenThis week the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced its first ever nationwide strike. Pat Cullen, the RCN's General Secretary and Chief Executive, will lead them into industrial action which is expected to start in December.Born in Northern Ireland, Pat Cullen was inspired by her older sisters to train as a nurse during the Troubles. After roles at Northern Ireland's Department of Health, and Public Health Agency, Cullen joined the RCN's Northern Ireland branch in 2016. Three years later, she led the union's first-ever strike, seeking pay parity for Northern Irish nurses with those working elsewhere in...
2022-11-1214 minProfileKemi BadenochSince entering Parliament in 2017, the MP for Saffron Walden has rapidly risen through the ranks to a seat at the Cabinet table as Trade Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.Kemi Badenoch surprised some in Westminster when she reached the fourth round of the Conservative leadership election this summer. Her forthright views on British colonialism and trans issues have won her admirers on the political right, but also been heavily criticised by LGBTQ campaigners.So who is Kemi Badenoch? How has her childhood in Nigeria influenced her political outlook? And how does she like...
2022-11-0514 minProfileNicola BenedettiThis month, the multi-award-winning violinist has started work as the first Scottish and first female director of the Edinburgh Festival since it began in 1947. Nicola Benedetti's passion for culture also extends well beyond performing; she's used her high profile to advocate for the importance of the arts in education. Mark Coles charts Nicola Benedetti's journey from first picking up the violin at age four to overseeing one of the world’s biggest annual cultural events.Researchers: Matt Toulson and Alice Struthers
Producers: Ben Cooper and Bob Howard
Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele
Sound Engineer: Graham Pu...
2022-10-2914 min
The Waterline Live - Connecting to COP26THE WATERLINE SUMMIT 2022 - DAY 2: Overview of the Adaptation and Resilience dayJonathan Levy presents a mix of interviews from Day 2 of The Waterline Summit 2022 which looked at adaptation and resilience. There was also a full day hackathon. This episode features:
Wayne Willis - Edenic
Catherine Darby-Roberts - Arup
Ann Cousins - Arup
Helen Todd - Environment Agency
Dr Agota Mockute - EEI UoH
Toby Rhodes - Perform Green
Dave Glassey - Team GB
Ben Kolosz - EEI UoH
Rob Lewis - Edenic Group
Emma Toulson - Ørsted
2022-10-2934 minCareer Zone PodcastIn Conversation with Sarah Burne James, Solution Architect at IBMAs part of Digital and Coding Week, Ben Toulson, an Employability and Career Consultant, is joined by Sarah Burne James, Solution Architect at IBM. Sarah and Ben discuss what IBM do, how to work in the tech industry if you don’t have a tech background and the importance of technical curiosity.
For more resources on digital & coding skills and to find out what events are running throughout the week, visit the Digital & Coding webpages.
2022-01-3112 minCareer Zone PodcastIn conversation with a video games entrepreneurIn this episode, Ben Toulson talks with Paul Ranson a video games entrepreneur, who shares his experiences from his time in the industry – from creating video games to setting up his own business. Paul also gives some advice for students who may be looking to get into the modern gaming industry.
2021-02-0517 min
Scientists at SeaThe Theraputic Benefits of Nature and Virtual Reality - with Alex SmalleyIn this episode we were joined by Alex Smalley to talk about his role as science communicator and his PhD work on digital natural environments and how these can play a part in psychological restoration.
2020-11-0323 min
Career Zone PodcastHow can I network with employers without meeting face to face?This episode is all about networking. At the moment we are still having very limited face to face interaction with others, but our Employability and Placement Advisors John Greaves and Ben Toulson offer some great tips on how to ensure you can still network and stay connected while we are continuing to work remotely.
2020-08-0305 min
Scientists at SeaBecoming a Marine Biologist - with Lauren Henly, Emma Weschke and Tim GordonThis episode was recorded back in early 2019. Ben talks to Lauren Henly, Emma Weschke and Tim Gordon, who are all masters by research or PhD students in Prof. Steve Simpson's research group (you might remember Steve from an earlier episode, Coral Reef Bioacoustics Part I). The discussion focuses around the research they're all undertaking, what got them interested in marine biology, and what they have done so far.Show notes available here: https://wp.me/p9zGYE-me
2020-05-1842 min
Scientists at SeaFisheries and the SOPHIE Project - with Dr. Rebecca ShortDr. Rebecca Short from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), joins us to discuss a variety of topics including her role within the Seas, Oceans and Publich Health in Europe (SOPHIE) project and her past work studying the effects of mosquito net fishing in Mozambique.Show notes available here: https://wp.me/p9zGYE-lT
2020-05-0413 min
Scientists at SeaArctic Terns, Basking Sharks & Bluefin Tuna - with Dr. Lucy HawkesIn this episode we talk to Dr. Lucy Hawkes about a number of her research areas including arctic terns, basking sharks and bluefin tuna. Listen out for a story about a mysterious tuna tag as well.Full show notes available here: https://wp.me/p9zGYE-li
2020-04-2624 min
Scientists at SeaThe European Centre for Environment and Human Health - with Prof. Lora FlemingProfessor Lora Fleming talks to us about her career and introduces us to the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), of which she is Director. We cover a variety of topics including how interacting with natural environment impacts our health, interdisciplinary approaches in tackling research, plus introductions to various projects running at the ECEHH.
2020-04-2017 min
Scientists at SeaCoral Reef Bioacoustics Part II - with Tim GordonTim Gordon talks to us about bioacoustics on coral reefs covering a variety of topics including the importance of soundscapes for marine animals, the effects of noise pollution on fish orientation andthe uses and types of sound underwater.
2020-04-0611 min
Scientists at SeaCoral Reef Bioacoustics Part I - with Prof. Steve SimpsonProfessor Steve Simpson speaks to us about his marine work discussing a number of areas, including how underwater organisms hear, how he creates underwater soundscapes and the applications of these in science and conservation.
2020-03-3026 min
Scientists at SeaAtlantic bluefin tuna in the UK - with Tom Horton of Thunnus UKTom Horton chats to us about Atlantic bluefin tuna and their presence in our UK waters. We talk about the work he has been conducting as part of Thunnus UK and also touch on what it takes to become a marine biologist.
2020-01-1334 min
Scientists at SeaSail Against Plastic Part II - with Flora Rendell and Daniel OsmondIn this episode we're joined by Flora and Daniel to discuss Sail Against Plastic, a multidisciplinary sailing expedition to the Arctic. We previously spoke to the team in an earlier episode prior to their departure. Several months have passed since then and we're finding out what they found.
2019-04-1530 minScientists at SeaTracking Atlantic bluefin tuna - with Tom Horton of ThunnusUKTom Horton speaks to Ethan Wrigglesworth about Thunnus UK, a project studying Atlantic bluefin tuna in UK waters."It’s probably one of the most exciting things you can actually do is physically retrieving (a tracking tag) that’s been on a tunafish for 360-odd days and plugging it in and hopefully getting the data off it. It’s absolutely fascinating."Show notes - https://wp.me/p9zGYE-cP
2019-03-1739 min
Scientists at SeaSeals and Salmon Farms: With Lizzie DalyIn this episode we speak to wildlife presenter, filmmaker, researcher, and University of Exeter alumnus, Lizzie Daly. We discuss Lizzie's campaign film 'Silent Slaughter: The Shooting of Scotland's Seals'. You can find the film in our show notes on the Exeter Marine blog.
2019-03-0328 min