GCU Common Good Podcast

Dr Alison McIntosh, the Director of GCU's Research and Knowledge Exchange Services, joins the Common Good Podcast to outline the role of her new department, how it was formed, and its objectives. Dr McIntosh also discusses her journey in academia.

In this episode of Global Voices the conversation centres on the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme and the experiences of international students at Glasgow Caledonian University. Gordon Hill is joined by Martin Murchie, Programme Leader for the MPH, and Chinaenyenwa Ugo, an MPH graduate and current Vice President for the School of Health and Life Sciences within the Students’ Association. Together, they explore what makes GCU’s MPH distinctive, from its focus on global health challenges and community impact to its supportive learning environment. Martin discusses the structure and aims of the programme, highlighting how it equips students with the skills needed to address complex public health issues across diverse contexts. Chinaenyenwa shares her journey as an international student—from applying and adjusting to life in Glasgow, to developing her academic confidence and leadership skills through the programme. The discussion offers valuable insights for prospective international applicants, illustrating how GCU fosters both professional growth and personal development. Listeners gain a sense of the university’s inclusive community, its commitment to real-world health impact, and the opportunities awaiting students who choose to pursue their public health studies at Glasgow Caledonian University.

In the fourth episode of the Global Voices podcast series, Dr Gordon Hill sits down with Dr Artaban Jeldi, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, and two international students, Ritika Kapadia and Abdullah Jamal, who share their experiences of studying the MSc Advanced Physiotherapy Practice Programme at Glasgow Caledonian University. Ritika and Abdullah reflect on their motivations for choosing GCU, offering honest and insightful accounts of their journey from overseas to the heart of Glasgow. From their initial impressions of Scotland to their academic experiences on the programme, they highlight the university’s supportive learning environment and its emphasis on evidence-based practice. Listeners will also gain practical tips on preparing for international study, from adapting to a new culture, to balancing coursework and life in a new city. This engaging conversation offers a warm and authentic glimpse into what makes GCU a top choice for physiotherapy professionals seeking advanced practice training. Whether you're considering postgraduate study or simply exploring your options, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their physiotherapy career on a global stage.

Dr Andrea Quinlan, Professor Lesley McMillan, Dr. Gethin Rees and Professor Deborah White, join the Common Ground podcast to discuss their international project on sexual assault care in rural and remote areas of Scotland and Ontario, Canada. Included in the podcast are voices from sexual assault service providers from both regions. Together, they describe the challenges in accessing and delivering sexual assault care and forensic evidence collection in rural and remote areas, and what can be done to address them.

In the latest podcast in the Global Voices series Dr Gordon Hill meets up with Lisa Forrest, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, first year student, Rosie Howes and Blessing Christian, a second year student. Both Rosie and Blessing are studying the MSc Pre-Registration programme in Occupational Therapy at Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Blessing and Rosie tell us about what motivated them to apply to GCU, what is was like arriving in Glasgow, details about their programme and give us some great hints and tips for new international students. Lisa also tells us about her experiences of meeting international applicants overseas, the vibrant discussions in the OT classes and about international opportunities in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Gordon, Lisa, Rosie and Blessing also discuss the support available at GCU for international students This is a must listen for everyone who is applying for or starting Occupational Therapy at GCU.

In this podcast, Dr. Gordon Hill meets with Dr. Natalia Farmer, Lecturer in Social Work, and Amaka Ofili, a recent graduate of the MSc in Social Work program. Amaka is now working as a Social Worker in Glasgow, within the Children and Families team. Amaka, who moved to Scotland from Nigeria to pursue her studies, shares with Gordon and Natalia her motivation to become a Social Worker and what led her to choose Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Amaka discusses her experiences of moving to a new country and her dissertation, which explored the experiences of African students. Together, Amaka, Natalia, and Gordon also highlight the support available at Glasgow Caledonian University for students, emphasizing the value of learning from the experiences of past students. Natalia provides insight into the Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, including international opportunities within the Department of Social Work, her own research, and the various roles that Social Work graduates can pursue. If you are interested in Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, this is the podcast for you! (The corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Dr Gordon Hill, the Assistant Head for International at the School of Health and Life Sciences, sits down with Dilan Aydemir, a first-year PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University, specialising in pelvic health research. Dilan, originally from Türkiye, previously completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in physiotherapy and rehabilitation before embarking on her PhD journey at Glasgow Caledonian University. During their conversation, Gordon and Dilan explore her experiences of moving to Scotland, adapting to life in Glasgow, and the various challenges she has encountered along the way. They also discuss important topics such as scholarships, student support, and ways for international students to engage with the local community. Dilan's research focuses on the conservative treatment of endometriosis-associated pain, a complex and often debilitating condition affecting millions of women worldwide. Her goal is to identify new therapeutic targets and develop effective, evidence-based physiotherapy treatments to alleviate pain, improve quality of life, and enhance sexual function for women suffering from endometriosis. By emphasising non-surgical and non-pharmacological options, Dilan aims to reduce the burden of this condition. Join us as Dilan shares her excitement about the potential impact of her work and her commitment to advancing the field of endometriosis research. (The perfect corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Dr Patrick Ring, a Reader in Financial Services at Glasgow Caledonian University, and Jack Stanbury, a Senior Project Manager at the University of Bristol, join the Common Good Podcast to discuss Future Finance, a new initiative that aims to enhance innovation and productivity in the sector and help organisations adapt to challenges, ranging from AI and data to changes in regulation and widening access to services. The £1.8million initiative, funded by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council, is initially being rolled out as a pilot in Scotland today. The pair discuss the genesis of Future Finance, how business can benefit from it, and how it can grow and develop in the future.

Dr Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh, a lecturer in the Department of Cyber Security and Networks, and Dionysios Voutos, a fourth-year student on the programme, join the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss the development of a cutting-edge cybersecurity project that could be key to safeguarding our critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks – a cyber test bed that has taken the form of a model trainset.

Dr Ruth Barn joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about a new approach to tackling diabetes-related foot ulcers in Scotland. Dr Barn and her team have received a grant of almost £300,000 from the Scottish Government's Chief Scientist Office to develop a research project exploring "motivational interviewing", which can empower patients to adopt new lifestyle changes and ultimately reduce ulceration, amputation and death rates among people with diabetes.