How similar are we to our closest living relatives? Closer than you might think - and the latest research is revealing just how much we share with chimpanzees and monkeys.

In this episode of Life Solved, we speak to two experts from the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, who are passionate about the deep evolutionary roots of human intelligence.

Dr Esther Herrmann and Dr Marine Joly explain how studying our closest evolutionary cousins helps us understand what makes us human, why complex social groups drive cognitive evolution, and what our responsibility is to protect these remarkable, intelligent creatures.

Production team:

Robyn Austin-Montague

Lauren Harrison

Jaelithe Swan

Music:

Music bed by Korolkov Production

Wildlife sounds captured by Dr Jerome Micheletta

Learn more links:

Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology | University of Portsmouth

Dr Esther Herrmann's chimpanzee rationality study

Dr Marine Joly's macaque impulse control research

Science is Wonderful EU Event

Many Primates Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we chat to Craig Jones MBE, founder of the charity Fighting with Pride, a University of Portsmouth alumnus, and a recent honorary graduate recipient.

The Royal Navy veteran’s story is one of resilience, transformation and advocacy; from serving in silence under a ban on LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces, to starting a charity that’s changed lives and policy in the UK.

It serves as a powerful reminder of what courage and commitment can achieve.

Production team:

Raechelle Jackson

Robyn Austin-Montague

Music:

Calm Inspiring by trickytwoaudio

Inspiring Corporate by Ultra_Music

Upbeat and Inspiring Corporate by WavebeatsMusic

Learn more links:

Fighting With Pride | RAF Benevolent Fund

Alumni spotlight | University of Portsmouth

Craig Jones MBE | University of Portsmouth

Honorary Degree Awards Nominations | University of Portsmouth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Series 15 we meet Alice Hendy MBE, CEO and founder of R;pple Suicide Prevention and a recent University of Portsmouth honorary graduate.

Alice set up the charity from scratch after losing her brother to suicide in November 2020. Drawing on her cybersecurity background, she created R;pple - an innovative digital tool that intercepts harmful online searches and guides individuals to free mental health support.

This episode explores how personal experience can drive innovation, the power of refusing to accept that things cannot be better, and how one person's determination to prevent other families from experiencing their loss has created a global safety net for those in crisis.

Content note: This episode deals with suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners. Support resources are available here: Get Support | Helplines and Resources | R;pple

Production team:

Robyn Austin-Montague

Lauren Harrison

Music:

Emotional and Uplifting by bdProductions

Learn more:

R;pple: Crisis Intervention | Suicide Prevention & Mental Health

Alumni spotlight | University of Portsmouth

Alice Hendy MBE | University of Portsmouth

Honorary Degree Awards Nominations | University of Portsmouth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.