The Bartlett Review Podcast: Why building cheaply costs more

Why does the UK construction industry struggle to build efficiently and sustainably, and what will it take to change course? The UK has a productivity problem, and nowhere is it more visible than in construction. Projects drag on for years, approvals stall, and too many plans never make it off the drawing board. Join Prof. Priti Parikh, Noble Francis and Prof. Judy Stephenson as they unpack what is really causing these delays, from planning bottlenecks to deeper systemic failures and why projects have become so difficult. They also explore what can be done differently, challenge the assumption that sustainable construction must be slower, and look at how academia is shaping policy and influencing the future of the industry. Link to Transcript: https://bartlett-review.ucl.ac.uk/podcast-construction-efficiency-the-productivity-blueprint/index.html Date of episode recording: 2026-05-29 Language of episode: English Presenter: Prof Priti Parikh Guests: Noble Francis; Prof. Judy Stephenson Producer: Adam Batstone; Chizoba Onyiuke

England's land is under increasing pressure. It must support food production, housing, renewable energy, biodiversity recovery and climate resilience, all while meeting the needs of a growing population. To help balance these competing demands, the government has introduced a new Land Use Framework: a long-term plan intended to guide how land across England is used in the decades ahead. Having contributed to the framework's consultation Christopher Bishop, Dr Isabella Butnar and Dr Abbie Chapman discuss what the framework means in practice, the opportunities and trade-offs it presents, and the challenges of creating landscapes that work for people, nature and the climate. Date of episode recording: 2026-07-27 Language of episode: English Presenter: Christopher Bishop Guests: Dr Isabela Butnar and Abbie Chapman Producer: Adam Batstone Transcription link: https://bartlett-review.ucl.ac.uk/podcast-what-do-we-want-from-our-land/index.html

This is a live recording of an event, that took place in November 2025 at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology. ‘The Land Carries – Artists in Conversation’ featured three artists from the Sudan Living Cultures programme at the Petrie Museum. They shared their reflections on their artistic processes and research through the UK's Nile Valley collections; and explored how artistic responses to Sudanese material heritage can hold memory, connect generations, and reframe the narratives of the past from indigenous knowledges. The event featured artists Ahmed Akasha (UK), Dina Nur Satti (USA), and Yasmin Elnour (Bahrain) sharing insights from their four-month research residency at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology. The panel was chaired by Galila Khougali (Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources). Transcription link: https://liveuclac.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/EngagementExhibitionscopy/Shared%20Documents/Public%20Programmes/02.%20Live%20Projects/Sudan%20Living%20Cultures/1.%20PHASE%202/3.%20Project%20Strands/Artist%20Research%20Residency/Podcast%20_%20Panel%20Discussion/Final%20Project/Transcript_checked_06AUG2026.docx?d=w7d8b814c7c3e4136bcce2fb9322dd8b2&csf=1&web=1&e=eIAKsT

This episode from the Sample Space: Random Talks podcast welcomes guests Daniela McDonach (Student Welfare Advisor for second and third-year SEFS students, postgraduate taught students, and PhD students) and Eileen Laffan (Student Welfare Advisor for undergraduate students across all other statistical science degree programs). We hear their thought on removing and reducing barriers to education and engagement. Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical-physical-sciences/episode-16-transcription

UCL experts explore how better-connected transport and infrastructure systems can make everyday life easier while helping cities become more sustainable, resilient and inclusive.From our daily commutes to climate resilience, the decisions made about transport and infrastructure today will shape how London functions for decades to come. This episode explores how London and other cities can create places that work better for the people who live in them, balancing growth, sustainability and the changing needs of urban life. Professor Mike Raco is joined by Dr Thaisa Comelli, Dr John Ward and Ben Coleman to discuss how cities can adapt to climate change, support diverse communities and build more connected and resilient futures. Drawing on London's history and global perspectives, they explore why infrastructure is about far more than movement, and how transport, energy, water, digital networks and public spaces must work together in an increasingly complex urban environment. Language of episode: English Presenter:Prof Mike Raco Guests: Dr Thaisa Comelli; Dr John Ward; Ben Coleman Producer: Adam Batstone; Chizoba Onyiuke Transcription link: https://bartlett-review.ucl.ac.uk/podcast-london-moves-transport-and-urban-infrastructure/index.html

This week we ask which companies oppose climate action — and whether ownership structures make a difference. Most people see action on climate change as essential. But powerful lobbies continue to push the other way. Understanding what drives corporate opposition to climate policy therefore matters enormously. New research examines one underexplored factor: company ownership structures. Are publicly listed firms more likely to oppose climate action than privately held ones? Does it matter how concentrated a company's ownership is, or how short-term its investors' horizons are? And what are the implications for governments trying to advance climate policy? Joining host Alan Renwick to discuss the findings is Jared Finnegan, Lecturer in Public Policy at the UCL Department of Political Science and one of the study's co-authors. Mentioned in this episode: Fighting the Future: Short-Term Investors and Business Opposition to Climate Policy by Jared J. Finnegan and Jonas Meckling, British Journal of Political Science. Presenter: Alan Renwick Guests: Jared Finnegan Producer: Matthieu Dinh Names of the podcast owner and those who have vetted this content to be ready for publishing: Alan Renwick Transcription link: https://uncoveringpolitics.com/episodes/which-companies-oppose-climate-action/transcript

In this episode, host Jade Hunter delves into Grand Challenges-funded project, Visible CoSpace Study - a youth-led, co-produced study aimed at addressing the health inequalities faced by young people from marginalised communities. Joined by project co-leads Dr Keri Wong and Dr Lusi Morhayim, the discussion uncovers the critical role of youth clubs and community spaces in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of 14 to 25-year-olds. As they explore the impact of reduced funding and the closure of youth clubs across the UK, the conversation highlights the insights gained from interviews with young people and community youth workers, revealing how these spaces serve as essential safe havens for vulnerable youth. Transcription link: Language: English This episode also examines how the project's findings are influencing policy discussions around youth wellbeing and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in research.

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