Season 1: Culture and Politics of the Achaemenid Empire

Zainab Mahdi talks to Fatimah Al-Muqdadi, Architect, Researcher, and Heritage Professional in Iraq. In this episode, Fatimah discusses the current state of heritage in Iraq and the steps needed to preserve and promote Iraq's cultural and natural heritage within the community. Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-fatimah-al-muqdadi Date of episode recording: 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z Duration: 43:30 Language of episode: English Presenter:Zainab Mahdi Guests: Fatimah Al-Muqdadi Producer: Zainab Mahdi

In Episode 1 of Oral Health Matters, we’re asking whether oral health is a luxury for the wealthy few or a fundamental human right for everyone. We’re also discussing the need for greater partnership working between scholars, practitioners and policy makers and the importance of gaining the trust of communities in order to co-create interventions that work for the people who live in them. To discuss this, Richard Watt, Professor of Dental Public Health at University College London is in conversation with Dr Carol Guarnizo-Herreno from the University of Colombia and Professor Marco Peres from the National Dental Centre in Singapore. Credits Presenter: Professor Richard Watt, University College London Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts Artwork and audiograms: Krissie Brighty-Glover and Lauren White, Research Podcasts Music: The Documentary, Mapamusic Date of episode recording: 2024-04-24T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:26:39 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Richard Watt Guests: Dr Carol Guarnizo-Herreno; Professor Marco Pere Producer: Christie Garrington

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode with Dr. Bassel Wattar guides us through heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB); what it is, how common it is, how do we diagnose it, and how do we treat it? We also talk about research in this area, and specifically the importance of including community perspectives in research practise, and how Dr. Bassel Wattar's team has been going about this. Dr. Bassel Wattar has been a guest on the pod previously where we talked about PCOS. If you missed that episode, definitely go and check it out. For anyone who hasn't listened to the PCOS episode, Dr. Wattar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London. He has advanced expertise in various areas including fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, menopause and importantly for today, heavy menstrual bleeding! I also have to mention, he is the co-leader of a research group dedicated for evidence synthesis at UCL, which is something so important and we have focused a lot on in this pod, the importance of evidence based research. To read more about Bassel's work, visit: https://basselwattar.info/ Charities and Communities affiliated with HMB: Menstrual Health Project: https://linktr.ee/menstrualhealthproject Wellbeing of Women: https://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/what-we-do/. Date of episode recording: 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:26:57 Language of episode: English Presenter:Olivia Guests: Dr. Bassel Wattar Producer: Olivia, UCL changemakers

In this episode we interview Professor Jim Griffin from the Department of Statistical Science at University College London. This is the first in a series of interviews with Statistical Science academics about how their research crosses over with the discipline of Sustainability. We discuss the potential of environmental DNA analysis for biodiversity monitoring, highlighting its cost-effectiveness but also the challenges associated with reliability. Jim emphasized the crucial role of statistics in environmental monitoring and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of mathematical modelling and statistical modelling to quantify environmental phenomena. They also acknowledged the need for better data and understanding to inform decision-making and lead to more sustainable outcomes. Finally, the importance of statistical literacy in comprehending environmental concerns and improving decision-making in various fields is covered. Date of episode recording: 2024-05-13T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:33:43 Language of episode: English Presenter:Stephanie Dickinson Guests: Jim Griffin Producer: Nathan Green

Zainab Mahdi talks to Dr Dhiaa Kareem Ali, lecturer at the University of Kufa and Nahrein Network - British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI) Visiting Scholar. Dr Dhiaa talks about his work with the Mandaean community, both in Iraq and the Diaspora. Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-dhiaa-kareem-ali Date of episode recording: 2024-04-25T00:00:00Z Duration: 26:47 Language of episode: English Presenter: Zainab Mahdi Guests: Dhiaa Kareem Ali Producer: Zainab Mahdi

In the final episode of this series of Generation One, we take a look at cities and climate action. With many elections happening around the world, what are cities actually doing to adapt to climate change, mitigate climate impact on populations, and reduce emissions? Our hosts discuss urban adaptation and transformation with UCL Professor Lauren Andres (Director of Research at the Bartlett School of Planning) and Mark Watts, the Executive Director of C40 Cities, a global network of mayors taking urgent climate action. C40 Cities website: https://www.c40.org/ The Bartlett School of Planning: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/planning/bartlett-school-planning For the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast Date of episode recording: 11th April 2024 Duration: 33.46 minutes Language of episode: English  Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee  Guests: Professor Lauren Andres, UCL Mark Watts, C40 Cities Producer: Adam Batstone

How does our understanding of genetics shape the health of the public? In this month’s episode, our experts dive into the exciting world of genetics, exploring the latest technological breakthroughs and innovations. They discuss not only the value of these advancements but also the ethical considerations surrounding them, particularly in how they can enhance the health of the public. Dr Adam Rutherford (bestselling author, broadcaster and lecturer in genetics and society at UCL) shares his wealth of knowledge on the evolution of genetics, and the common misconceptions that persist in the field. Adam delves into the historical context of genetics and its entanglement with eugenics, reminding us of the ethical considerations that must accompany scientific advancement. Prof George Davey Smith, a clinical epidemiologist and director of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, discusses the impact of genetics on the health of the public. He highlights the potential of genetic data to revolutionise healthcare and offers a critical perspective on the consumer genetics market. Listen for an in depth look at the complexities of genetic diseases, the implications for health policy, and the ethical dimensions of genetic research. Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand Van Tulleken is produced by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Maddalena Italia & Mélissa Pires Da Silva: On Sanskrit Erotic Poetry Date of episode recording: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:29:32 Language of episode: English Presenter:Melissa Pires Da Silva Guests: Maddalena Italia Producer: Melissa Pires Da Silva

Maddalena Italia & Mélissa Pires Da Silva: On Sanskrit Erotic Poetry Date of episode recording: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:29:32 Language of episode: English Presenter:Melissa Pires Da Silva Guests: Maddalena Italia Producer: Melissa Pires Da Silv

In the Second Episode of Season Two Professor Mark Weeden talks about his current research across the Cuneiform World from hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Turkey to cuneiform tablets found in Iraq. You can see more about Prof. Weeden at the Departmental People page. Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/classics/sites/classics/files/markweedentranscript.docx Date of episode recording: 2022-03-13T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:27:20 Language of episode: English Presenter:Sofia Bongiovanni Guests: Dr. Mark Weeden Producer: Mélissa Pires Da Silva