Off The Shelf

Plastic: Unwrapped - Episode 3, The Human Problem

This podcast explores our relationship with one of the most ubiquitous and controversial materials on the planet: plastic. Over three episodes, Professor Joanna Gavins talks to experts from a range of different academic disciplines to try to understand how plastic became such an integral part of modern life, how we came to have over 10 million tons of plastic polluting our oceans every year, and how academic research might help us live with plastics more responsibly and more sustainably. 

 

Episode 3 – The Human Problem: Dr Harriet Baird, Professor Joanna Gavins – pro-environmental change.

Plastic: Unwrapped - Episode 2, System Solutions

This podcast explores our relationship with one of the most ubiquitous and controversial materials on the planet: plastic. Over three episodes, Professor Joanna Gavins talks to experts from a range of different academic disciplines to try to understand how plastic became such an integral part of modern life, how we came to have over 10 million tons of plastic polluting our oceans every year, and how academic research might help us live with plastics more responsibly and more sustainably. 

 

Episode 2 – Systems Solutions: Professor Rachael Rothman – use and reuse.

Plastic: Unwrapped - Episode 1, Plastic Planet

This podcast explores our relationship with one of the most ubiquitous and controversial materials on the planet: plastic. Over three episodes, Professor Joanna Gavins talks to experts from a range of different academic disciplines to try to understand how plastic became such an integral part of modern life, how we came to have over 10 million tons of plastic polluting our oceans every year, and how academic research might help us live with plastics more responsibly and more sustainably. 

Episode 1 – Plastic Planet: Professor Tony Ryan, Dr Rorie Beswick-Parsons – the history of plastics and pollution. 

Analysing Taylor Swift with Sheffield's Tortured Poets Department

Looking at Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, this podcast demonstrates how literary criticism can help a better appreciation of contemporary pop culture. 

Join Dr Amber Regis, Dr Jonathan Ellis, and Dr Katherine Ebury to take a literary tour of some of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits, building on their recent Post45 journal, Tis the Damn Deason: Taylor Swift’s Evermore.

Impossible Bodies

Dr Clare Fisher investigates how contemporary queer authors explore the body in their work and issues of embodiment, representation, identity and language in relation to queer gender and sexuality. 

Moonlit Verses: Unveiling the Secrets of Waka Poetry

Join Dr Thomas McAuley to discover the universal appeal of Waka poetry, the most important form of Japanese verse from the 8th -14th centuries. With readings of Japanese and English translation accompanied by calming soundscapes.

Journalism as the Forth Emergency Service

Lisa Bradley and Dr Emma Heywood discuss high profile news stories in the public interest including the Lucy Letby trial, Grenfell Tower, Manchester terrorist attacks and the PTSD journalists suffer as a result.

In Search of the Perfect Bird

In this Ideas Alive episode, PHD student Shriya Uday takes an in depth look at how we perceive birds, their colour and attractiveness and the global implications for the wildlife trade.

Middlewood of the Mind

Dr Chris Blackmore, from the Mental Health Research Unit of the University of Sheffield explores the language of mental health set against the history of Middlewood Hospital, Sheffield, 1872-1996. With contributions from Patrick Murphy, Ian McMillan, Professor Brendan Stone and Professor Amanda Crawley-Jackson.

It All Kind of Links Really

Dr Hannah Fairbrother from the Health Sciences School discusses young people's potential as advocates and changemakers, in tackling health inequalities.