Episode 6: Using Pronouns in Higher Education: Comfort Not Obligation

In Episode 6 of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley speaks with Professor Carolyn McGettigan, former LGBTQ+ Committee Chair at UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences about pronouns what they are why they matter and how they support gender inclusion in everyday work and learning. Carolyn shares their personal journey to using they them pronouns explains why not everyone feels able or ready to share pronouns publicly and offers practical ways to build inclusive habits without putting anyone on the spot. The conversation also explores the role of allyship in normalising pronoun use how to respond when mistakes happen and simple language shifts such as moving away from gendered greetings that can help create more welcoming classrooms meetings and professional spaces. If you want this slightly more formal or slightly more conversational let me know and I will adjust it. Duration: 42.03 Language of episode: English Presenter: Beverley Isibor Guests: Professor Carolyn McGettigan Producer: Teresa Baker Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/about-faculty/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/edi-chronicles-brain-sciences-podcast

In this episode of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley Isibor sits down with Professor Anna Cox (Vice Dean for EDI, 2019–2024) to unpack what EDI leadership looks like in practice. Anna shares how she first stepped into leadership through Athena Swan work, why fairness sits at the heart of her approach and what helped Brain Sciences make meaningful progress over five years. Together, they explore the power of clear governance structures, faculty-wide collaboration and using tools like annual reporting and staff surveys to track progress and drive coherence across diverse departments. The conversation also highlights the human side of EDI leadership and showing how culture change is built through both strategy and care. Duration: 38.06 Language of episode: English Presenter: Beverley Isibor Guests: Professor Anna Cox Producer: Teresa Baker Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/about-faculty/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/edi-chronicles-brain-sciences-podcast

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: 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield Guests: Dr Andrew Seaton Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Transcription link: https://liveuclac-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ucylaem_ucl_ac_uk/ESY-yPbC7wJAsD5EGLcfFSoB3Ozb3iq-QB5bhEQBTX3q6g?e=JdZ8Yq

The UK faces a deepening housing crisis. As the population grows, pressure on an already stretched housing stock continues to mount. Experts estimate that up to 4.5 million new homes may be needed to close the gap. That’s a shortfall that’s driving economic strain and worsening issues from social inequality to homelessness. In this episode Professor Priti Parikh is joined by Professor Stanimira Milcheva and Pete Gladwell to set out the scale of the problem, the reasons that have led to the current situation and some potential solutions which may address it. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-13 Duration: 00:34:35 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Priti Parikh Guests: Professor Stanimira Milcheva; and Pete Gladwell Producer: Adam Batstone and Chizoba Onyiuke Podcast owner: Chizoba Onyiuke

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, hosts Zhitong Li and Phoebe Chen sit down with pianist and UCL Management Science student Kaito Mizukoshi for a conversation that flows between introspection, culture, and the unexpected rhythms of life with ADHD. Kaito opens up about receiving his ADHD diagnosis in London, years after growing up in Japan where the condition is often overlooked—or even quietly associated with success. He shares how this new understanding reshaped the way he studies, practices music, and takes care of himself, revealing the strategies, struggles, and surprising gifts that come with a restless mind. From five-hour piano practice sessions to battling distraction during coursework, from navigating UCL as an international student to finding connection across cultural gaps, Kaito reflects on identity, belonging, and the power of self-knowledge. The trio dive into stigma, romanticisation of mental health, friendship, and the small but meaningful ways we learn to work with—not against—our own nature. Set to the delicate beauty of Debussy performed by Kaito himself, this episode is an intimate look at how one student turns introspection into empowerment and transforms challenge into creativity. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04 Duration: 00:40:58 Language of episode: english Presenter: Zhitong Li, Phoebe Chen Guests: Kaito Mizukoshi Producer: takoua jendoubi Podcast Owner: Takoua Jendoubi

Discover how technology and innovative finance are helping communities protect forests and build sustainable economies. In this episode of Life of PIE, host Onye Idoko speaks with Nicolas Prieto, MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship alum and CEO of climate tech startup Voltiva, and Tereza Bízková., co-founder of Refi Medellin. They explore real-world examples of crypto and regenerative finance in action in Colombia. Date of episode recording: 2025-11-09 Duration: 00:35:17 Language of episode: English Presenter: Onya Idoko Guests: Nicolas Prieto and Tereza Bízková Producer: Juan Manuel Fournier Castillo Names of the podcast owner: Victoria Howard

Date of episode recording: 2025-10-02 Duration: 00:47:48 Language of episode: English Presenter: Steve Fleming, Selina Wray Guests: Caswell Barry, Lucy Unwin Producer: Patrick Robinson

In this episode, Onya speaks with Mara Stoll (UCL MSc Prosperity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and theologian Dr. David Dark about how hermeneutics, the art of interpretation, can transform social entrepreneurship. Together, they unpack why understanding our own assumptions and a community’s lived reality is key to avoiding well-intentioned missteps. Discover how applying hermeneutic principles can help founders slow down, listen deeply, and co-create ventures that truly fit the people they are meant to serve. Date of episode recording: 2025-09-01 Duration: 00:41:27 Language of episode: English Presenter: Dr Onya Idoko Guests: Mara Stoll and Dr David Dark Producer: Manolo Fournier Podcast owner: Victoria Howard

This bonus episode consists in a recording of an authorial roundtable held at University College London on the 16th June 2025. Entitled ‘Literature in the Age of the Self’, it brought together three highly acclaimed contemporary writers whose work evinces a marked preoccupation with the experience and the representation of the self. In this conversation chaired by Scarlett and Alice, Rachel Cusk, Brian Dillon, and Vidyan Ravinthiran discuss the self in connection with notions of style, character, and time. They also reflect on the relations between creative and academic writing, between literature and other arts, and on the status of the self in the age of AI and social media.

Cities in Flux - Rethinking Temporary Urbanism and Adaptability Can mega-cities use adaptability and temporary urbanism to ignite innovation, support communities, and become more resilient? While adaptability sparks fresh and innovative approaches to urban design and planning, can city planners adopt tools like - temporary urbanism and meanwhile use - to create longer-term benefits for more liveable and resilient cities? In this episode Professor Lauren Andres is joined by Andy Wiley Schwartz and Emily Berwyn to explore why adaptability is crucial for mega-cities like London and New York, how it can be put into action in city transformation and how it has helped them navigate major crises—from the decline of UK high streets to the COVID-19 pandemic. Transcript here https://bartlett-review.ucl.ac.uk/podcast-cities-in-flux-rethinking-temporary-urbanism-and-urban-adaptability/index.html