Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas12a), discovered a few years ago, is a method that detects even small levels of pathogens. Professor Kevin J Zwezdaryk and researchers at the Tulane University School of Medicine, USA, are working on a cost-effective, CRISPR-Cas12a-based pathogen detection tool aiming to upgrade p…

Plant-based solutions for energy storage are gaining traction in the pursuit of greener technologies. Dr Jun Young Cheong from the University of Glasgow, UK, investigates the potential of using gum waste from a tropical tree to create a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries in search of a more sustainable future. Read the original research: do…

While many leaders and businesses are attempting to put the pandemic behind them and focus on the ‘new normal’, have we thought deeply enough about what we’ve learned and what it means for future crises? In this episode, Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and her guest Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, discuss why ev…

'Big Data' has appeared more and more throughout boardrooms and executive suites, in order to determine how organisations extract value from information. Its potential impact on a firms' earnings forecasts is of great discussion, but no direct link to forecast frequency has been made yet. Associate Professor Goh Beng Wee from Singapore Management U…

Liquid crystal-based technologies could revolutionise the control of terahertz radiation — key to the future of high-bandwidth communications. Dr Masahito Oh-e from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, considers how phase shifters and modulators may pave the way for faster, more efficient 6G networks. Read the original research: doi.org/10.1002/c…

Pain isn't nice, but there are times when it’s necessary - If you don’t feel the pain you should, you’re at risk of doing yourself greater damage. If you feel pain you shouldn’t, that could the first signs of a deeper issue. Professor Rayaz Malik and Dr Ioannis Petropolous talk about their work on a new, non-invasive, inexpensive way of detecting e…

Synthetic biology, as showcased by Stephen Freeland's work at UMBC, redefines biological systems for groundbreaking applications in biotechnology and medicine, promising to solve global challenges and unlock new frontiers in science. Or, at least, that’s what ChatGPT has to say about it. Our interview also covers how Artificial Intelligence is chan…

Until relatively recently, diabetes was a terminal condition. Today, over 1 in 10 people are living with it, which says something about the success of insulin as a treatment, and also the concerning state of global nutrition. So, we've probably got diabetes pretty well figured out. Right? Dr Alexander Hamilton speaks with us about his research into…

From the 1920s to now, technology has transformed radically; from the Spirit of St Louis to super-sonic stealth bombers, from the discovery of insulin to mRNA vaccines, from the candle-stick telephone to a 5G powerhouse in your pocket As the reports of sensitivity to WiFi and mobile signals rise, we discuss the recognised restrictions , risks, and …

In times of crisis, the public workforce faces unprecedented changes, redefining their roles and environments. The COVID-19 pandemic was no exception, with burnout and fatigue running high among public servants. What does that stress mean for employee behaviour, satisfaction and turnover? Assistant Professor Lee Seulki from Singapore Management Uni…

Digital devices have changed the information landscape in many ways, be it through podcasts such as this, or accessing medical care. Today, any illness requiring professional medical help may be made easier to manage thanks to having a digital device nearby. Professor Leonard Egede speaks with us again about how accessing care via Telehealth tools …

The pandemic disrupted leaders on every level. It forced them to re-examine their assumptions about their organisation’s purpose and place in society. It impacted their perceptions and their actions around responsible business, and their leadership attitudes and practices. The worst of the pandemic is now firmly behind us – although we remain in th…

Modern life can feel like one of constant crisis, through exposure on social media feeds, local news or even your personal life. Recovering from the physical and emotional toll of these is hard, but also essential. Doctor Sara Spowart from the University of South Florida, is a researcher specialising in the psychology of support around survival. He…

While data science can transform public sector policy-making, places like Lebanon lack the data infrastructure and governance rules needed to support public sector data analysis. Professor Lama Moussawi and Raghda Kawass at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, examine how Lebanon can promote data analytics to imp…

Many of us first experience the concept of learning in formal school settings, but how do we learn in non-formal settings like museums and zoos? This is a question that Professor Joe E Heimlich and colleagues at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), a science museum in Columbus, Ohio, USA are working to answer. Read more in Research Outreach R…

In this episode of the Transforming Society podcast, Jess Miles speaks with Julia Mortimer, Journals Director and Head of Open Access at Bristol University Press. They discuss recent developments in Open Access, including funder mandates, community-led models and the direction Bristol University Press are heading in. In addition, they offer advice …

Robots play an important part in our everyday lives. Non-autonomous systems can be found in industry, surgical theatres, and even our homes, and more autonomous robots are integral to space and deep-sea exploration. Dr Sirko Straube and Professor Dr Frank Kirchner from the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) are seeking to tra…

Communication and consent are key in doctor-patient relationships. Doctors need to know what’s expected of them, and patients have the right to receive adequate information about diagnosis and treatment, and seek damages if things go wrong. If that patient has mental health issues, how are their rights around informed consent and court challenges i…

In this episode of the Transforming Society podcast, Richard Kemp speaks with Ed Atkins, author of A Just Energy Transition: Getting Decarbonisation Right in a Time of Crisis, about what is needed for an energy transition to be just. They discuss the need to ensure decarbonisation doesn’t come at the expense of already marginalised communities, the…

Since 2020, various crises have disrupted leaders on every level and have led to the emergence of some new and welcome leadership styles. In this episode, Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and her guest Nick Hampton, Chief Executive Officer at Tate & Lyle, discuss whether these new styles will stick, and talk candidly about the challenge of being a le…

What are the spatial factors influencing health inequalities within a socio-economically homogeneous country? Dana Hübelová, Alice Kozumplíková, and colleagues from Mendel University in Brno investigate health disparities across different regions of the Czech Republic. The team explore how economic conditions, social care access, and regional chara…

In this episode, Oscar Berglund and Elizabeth A. Koebele, Co-Editors of the Policy & Politics journal, talk to Jess Miles about the latest special issue – ‘Transformational change through public policy’. They discuss what transformational change is, how public policy academia needs to adapt to bring it about and their hope to inspire a new generati…

How can social annotation transform traditional reading into a collaborative learning experience? Damijana Keržič and Vida Zorko from the University of Ljubljana delve into this question through their research on Diigo, a social annotation tool. They investigate its impact on student motivation, comprehension, and the correlation between learning a…

When decisions need to be made in politics, business or daily life, it's worth giving all due care to The Problem to be solved, and The Action to be taken. This is also the foundation of classical philosophy - but when was the last time politics seem philosophical to you? Professor John Martin Gillroy of Lehigh University speaks with us today about…

In this episode, Alison Shaw, Chief Executive of Bristol University Press, talks about 25 years of publishing with a purpose to mark the end of the Press’ anniversary celebration year. Alison speaks to Jess Miles about the past, present and future of the press and its mission to address global social challenges, support positive social change and t…