Today we are talking to Archivists at the Richard Burton Archives, here at Swansea University. This enthusiastic and engaging team of archivists have come here today to share their passion for the wonderful resources that are held within the archives and to share ways in which these artifacts, not only of local and regional, but also national significance, can offer a unique opportunity to enhance the student learning experience. So a warm welcome to Katrina, Emily, and Stacy, the Richard Burton Archivists. Please follow the team on Twitter @SwanUniArchives, read the blog, or peruse the LibGuides to find out more!

In this episode we speak with Pete Hanratty from Swansea University's Centre for Academic Success about the evolution of the unit and learn that their ever expanding offerings support students in far more than just basic essay writing skills

Today I am talking to Georgios Dimitropoulos.  He is the manager and inspiration behind the Media Suite Innovation Lab at Swansea University.  Georgios an academic, a joint sector entrepreneur, and a documentary filmmaker and producer, he is also the Founder of kefalonia.com, which provides a beautiful insight to its amazing Greek Island, he is Co-founder of 4theRegion, the new Centre for Regional Engagement for South West Wales, and Founder of Gŵyr a collection of films and documentaries about the Gower, Swansea Bay and South & West Wales. Lucky for us Georgios has been working at Swansea University since 2016 sharing his talents and passion for creative innovations. Georgios’ research project explores the significant challenges facing Wales from a socio-economic perspective where he brings contributors together from the academic, private, public, and third sector bodies. So many things to talk about today, so let’s find out how it all began. If you want to know more or follow Georgios' work here are some useful links for you:

FILMFREEWAY

INSTAGRAM

Latest Documentary Films

Welsh Affairs Documentary Series (welshaffairs.com)

Welsh Affairs Pandemic Impact on Higher Education 25 Minute Version

Gwyr Film Series Web Site (gwyrfilms.com)

Latest Academic Content

Media Suite Innovation Lab at Swansea University

In this episode we discuss the ongoing influence of achieving HEA Fellowship with Swansea University's Marcela Bezdickova and Charlie Earle. This episode is a must for anyone considering fellowship, in the process of applying or just curious about how HEA fellowship can impact on your professional practice.

In this edition, we speak to Lori Havard, Sarah Jones and James Broomhall from the University's library.

Tina Webber is the manager of the Transcription Centre here at Swansea University.  Tina has been working in the university since 2005 helping to provide accessible learning materials for students with visual impairments. She describes herself as an ambassador for Swansea University and enjoys visiting specialist colleges for visually impaired students across the country, educating students about their rights in regards to going to university, and encouraging them to come to Swansea. When she isn’t working hard for us at Swansea, she is most often playing hard having a ball teaching Zumba! Tina says "supporting print disabled students at Swansea University encompasses a wide range of areas and departments. It can be challenging at times to 'win over' content creators (e.g. academics) but having said that some are shining examples of 'best practice'. Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about accessibility guidelines, educate colleagues, demonstrate best practices, and lead by example to remove barriers." Follow the transcription Centre on Twitter @SUTranscription, Tina also recommends following @textboxdigital.  If you require braille email [email protected] and Tina also recommends checking out RNIB and their Book Share, and the ever-useful Jisc is packed with a range of help, support, and guidance.

Neuroscientist Professor Phil Newton is the Associate Dean for Education in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Swansea University. Phil teaches Neuroscience across a variety of programmes in the School. He also teaches evidence-based education as part of the School's online MSc in Medical Education. Phil has also taught students and staff worldwide about plagiarism and other forms of other academic misconduct.

Phil came to Swansea in 2009 from the University of California, having completed a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds and a B.Sc in Biology at Aberystwyth University. He also holds an MSc in Medical Education from Cardiff University (2012). He is famously known for his work around evidence-based education and advocates that he wants to apply scientific methods to the study of issues in education. Phil describes himself as a pragmatic nerd. He says "there are lots of effective, evidence-based ways to teach, to learn, to study. We don't really use them. It would help us all if we did. Equally, there are lots of really ineffective ways to teach and to study. They are remarkably popular. It would help us all a lot if we put them in the bin." There are so many themes we could unpick with Phil, but for today we will concentrate on “how we learn”. Hopefully, he will join us in the future to address some of the other hot topics! Read The Case for Pragmatic Evidence-Based Higher Education: A Useful Way Forward? and follow along on YouTube to make your own mind up! 

Joining us in this episode of A Pinch of SALT is Tomos Watson. He is a Geography graduate and is currently the Student Voice Coordinator, was also the former Welsh Affairs Officer at Swansea University's Student Union. Over the years he has been heavily involved in a number of high-profile developments here at Swansea, such as the creation of designated Welsh language accommodation and the hosting of the Inter-University Eisteddfod, to name but two. He says "Higher Education is a microcosm of the wider society and it's clear to me through my experiences how much of an effect this is having in our institution, (yet not something that even is peoples radar sometimes unless it's down in Law). I'd like to explore this, and explain the relationship that many Welsh people have with their language and culture and how it can still feel like an ongoing battle for it to exist." So I think it’s fair to say that Tomos is pretty passionate about Welsh culture and language in Higher Education and I am thrilled to say he is with us right now to talk about why it is important to select a university that matches your needs and continues to help you develop as an individual within a university community.

In today's episode we are very pleased to welcome Dr Jo Berry as our Guest on A Pinch of SALT.  A Roman historian and was the Dean of Assessment at Swansea University.  Jo studied at Reading University, reading Ancient History and Latin, and subsequently completed her MA and a Ph.D., writing a dissertation on "the Roman House at Work". Jo has authored, co-authored and edited a number of books and articles looking at Roman Social and Cultural History and in particular Pompei and its environs. She arrived in Swansea in 2004 and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics, Ancient History, and Egyptology, specialising in the material culture of Roman Italy, particularly Pompeii and the other cities in the Bay of Naples.

Theresa Ogbekhiulu was the education officer at Swansea University from 2019 -2021. During this time, she has worked with colleagues and students in all aspects of university life.

As an international student, originally from Nigeria, Theresa came to the UK and to Swansea to begin her higher education journey.  Achieving a first-class degree in Media and Public Relations, Theresa went on to complete her MA in Communications, Media Practice, and Public Relations, before running as Education officer at Swansea Students' Union.

As education officer she is a member of a range of committees and has experience working with people from students to senior management and everyone in between, to make sure that Swansea’s student voice is heard.

She has been interviewed many times and has made guest appearances in numerous webinars and initiatives during her years at Swansea, so there are lots of topics we could ask her to talk about and I for one could listen to her all day. In this episode, we are focusing on ‘A Year in the Life of the Education Officer’.