Universities must be at the heart of climate action, and not just through research and tech. In this episode, Professor Tristan McCowan, Professor of International Education, highlights the power of community partnerships, indigenous knowledge and grassroots initiatives to drive local change. Professor McCowan argues that from resisting climate denial to modelling sustainable communities, universities have both the responsibility and the potential to help shape a just climate future.

More than just picnic pests, wasps are vital to our ecosystems, but are deeply misunderstood. Joining Professor Philip Schofield in this episode is Professor Seirian Sumner, Professor of Behavioural Ecology and avid defender of wasps. Professor Sumner dissects the evolutionary role of wasps as ancestors of bees and ants, their potential in cancer research, and their overlooked ecological value: making a case for embracing wasps as allies in biodiversity and science.

Rising temperatures and ecosystem disruption are reshaping the global landscape of infectious disease. Computational biologist Dr Rory Gibb joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how climate change and social inequality are fuelling increases in mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever and West Nile virus. From cutting-edge vaccines to rethinking urban design, Dr Gibb explains why tackling infectious disease requires urgent action; especially for the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Step into the minds of leading academics with UCL Press Play: a podcast and documentary series featuring groundbreaking voices and cutting edge ideas. Join UCL academics as they uncover groundbreaking new ideas and fresh insights on diverse topics such as queer histories, neurodiversity, and climate justice.

Natural disasters are inevitable. Or are they? Professor Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, argues that human decisions, governance failures and societal inequities determine the impact of catastrophic events. Speaking with Professor Philip Schofield, Professor Kelman sets out how education, early warning systems and social equity can prevent disasters, and the importance of fostering a fairer, more resilient society.

Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Professor Ilan Kelman
Producer: Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran

What does transitioning away from fossil fuels really look like, and who bears the greatest responsibility? Join Associate Professor Dr Fergus Green and Professor Philip Schofield as they unpack the politics of climate action. From phasing out fossil fuel extraction to navigating inequality, lobbying and populism, Dr Green argues that real climate progress demands political strategies that put people and fairness at the heart of policy.

Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Fergus Green
Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)
Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)
Producer: Stevie Doran

Despite mine closures and talk of phasing out, global coal usage is at an all-time high, with countries like the UK still importing coal for key industries. Dr Andrew Seaton, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how coal never truly disappeared but evolved in form and influence. From Britain's re-importation of coal to global surges in consumption, Dr Seaton challenges the idea of a clean energy transition, and uncovers coal’s deep ties to industry, health, inequality, and the climate.

Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Andrew Seaton
Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)

Vision impairment affects millions of people worldwide. Dr Michael Crossland, a Senior Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss his research on how cutting-edge AI technologies can offer immediate support for those with low vision. They also explore how art, such as the work of visually impaired artist Luka Kille, provides a powerful way to express the lived experience of vision loss.

Credits:
Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01
Duration: 00:16:02
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Michael Crossland
Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran