Arqus Knowledge Pills

What can Marriage Bars teach us about gender discrimination in the workplace? Explore this forgotten policy and its surprising legacy in the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast!

In the 20th century, many countries enforced so-called "Marriage Bars" – rules that required women to leave their jobs once they got married. While most countries abolished these policies by the 1950s, Ireland maintained its Marriage Bar until the 1970s. What impact did this have on the lives of Irish women, and what can we learn from it today?

In the 39th episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, Dr Irene Mosca, lecturer in Economics at Maynooth University, takes us on a journey through her research on Marriage Bars in Ireland and beyond. Drawing on data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), she reveals the lasting economic and social consequences of this institutionalised form of gender discrimination.

Dr Mosca explains how women affected by the Irish Marriage Bar tended to have shorter working lives and lower personal incomes, yet also more children, more educated children, and – paradoxically – greater household wealth. She also sheds light on the political and social arguments that kept such policies in place and reflects on how the legacy of the Marriage Bar still echoes in today’s debates on gender equality.

Learn more about Irene Mosca:

Dr Irene Mosca is a lecturer in Economics at Maynooth University and has a strong track record in applied health, population, and labour economics. She is also a research fellow at the IZA Institute of Labor Economics and the Global Labor Organisation, and an Executive Committee Member of the Irish Society for Women in Economics.

What impact do intergenerational relations have on our society? What initiatives are needed between generations to ensure the effective transfer of knowledge, education, and resources? How can we fight ageism and discrimination to create a more inclusive world? These are the key questions explored in this episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast. 

In this episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, we explore these critical questions with Carolina Campos, a researcher at the Macrosad Chair in Intergenerational Studies at the University of Granada. Dedicated to bridging the gap between generations, the Macrosad Chair plays a vital role in shaping policies and programs that ensure knowledge is shared, education is strengthened, and wealth is distributed sustainably across time—between those who have been, those who are, and those who will be.

Carolina shares insights on the significance of intergenerational research, the challenges of fostering meaningful connections, and how knowledge transfer can drive real-world impact. She also highlights a key issue: despite the clear benefits and urgent need for these connections, institutional and legal frameworks often create barriers that separate age groups rather than bringing them together—whether in education, housing, or care systems.

As the world rapidly changes, ensuring sustainability over time requires meaningful connections between people of all ages. Tune in to this insightful conversation and discover how we can build a more connected and inclusive future—together.

Learn more about Carolina Campos Rueda:

Carolina Campos Rueda is member of the Macrosad Chair in Intergenerational Studies at the University of Granada, where she has been a research staff member since 2019. Graduated in Occupational Therapy and specialised in Intergenerational Projects, she has specific training in intergenerationality, such as the certificate “Together Old and Young: An Intergenerational Approach”, or the “International Certificate in Intergenerational Learning”, as well as training in qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

At the Chair, she carries out research, training and dissemination work, as well as all those activities that derive from the lines of action of the Chair. Her work is also closely connected to CINTER (Macrosad's Intergenerational Reference Centre in Albolote, Granada); to the research projects led by the Chair (currently focused on the validation of Intergenerational Contact Zones in Andalusia and Extremadura, or on the development of quality indicators in intergenerational practices and spaces); and to practical actions such as the intergenerational project “Harmonía” or the national coordination of the worldwide movement “Global Intergenerational Week”.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine, threatening the effectiveness of treatments and putting millions at risk. But what if the key to overcoming this crisis lies in nature itself? This month’s episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast features Dr Agata Dorotkiewicz-Jach, a microbiologist at the University of Wrocław, who explores groundbreaking and sustainable antibacterial therapies.

Dr Dorotkiewicz-Jach discusses alternative treatments such as bacteriophages, plant-based compounds, and anti-virulent therapies, highlighting their potential in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She also shares insights on the impact of climate change on antimicrobial resistance and the need for global cooperation.

For the 37th episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills, Agata explores how research and interdisciplinary approaches can help shape the future of medicine.

Learn more about Dr Agata Dorotkiewicz-Jach:

Dr Dorotkiewicz-Jach specializes in alternative antibacterial therapies at the University of Wrocław. She has led research on innovative treatment strategies and plays an active role in the Arqus Alliance, coordinating climate change and sustainability initiatives.

What misconceptions lie beneath this widely used technology? What ethical and societal debates about its use are emerging? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Helena Machado discusses her work in this episode of Knowledge Pills.

Facial recognition technologies, while promising convenience and security, raise critical issues like invasion of privacy, surveillance normalization, discrimination, and inaccuracies. This episode delves into these technologies' societal impacts, examining how they shape citizenship and public engagement.

In this episode, Professor Helena Machado discusses the project fAIces, which integrates diverse perspectives to reshape technology’s societal role, amplify marginalized voices, and inspire creative, activist-driven approaches to ethics and engagement.

For the 36th episode of Arqus Knowledge Pills, “Facial recognition and ethics,” she highlights her efforts to develop innovative ethical frameworks, such as “etho-assemblages,” and explore alternative futures for facial recognition technologies that prioritize inclusivity, creativity, and public empowerment.

Learn more about Helena Machado 

Helena Machado is a leading researcher in the sociology of science and technology. Full Professor of Sociology at the Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho (Braga, Portugal), she is the Director of the PhD Programme in Sociology; and founding member and coordinator of the AIDA Social Sciences Network, a social sciences’ research initiative focusing on artificial intelligence, data, and algorithms. 

What strategies can effectively promote constructive online interactions? How can we effectively moderate content on social media platforms? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jana Lasser discusses her work in this episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills.

From developing counter-speech strategies to tackle online hate to exploring how data management can improve social interactions, this episode explores how data can offer positive alternatives to moderation and counters to hate speech in online spheres.

In this episode, Professor Jana Lasser outlines the functionality and importance of such efforts from a data analysis perspective and provides a deeper understanding of the intersection between data science and social issues. 

For the 35th episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills, Jana discusses the work she has done to develop countermeasures to hate speech in online spaces. Social media platforms are constantly changing, and she offers some insight into possible solutions.

Learn more about Jana Lasser:

Jana Lasser is a Professor of Data Analysis at the University of Graz where she leads the research group of Complex Social and Computational Systems at the interdisciplinary research centre IDea_Lab. She researches emergent phenomena in complex social systems, employing methods from machine learning, data science, natural language processing, and computational and statistical modelling to understand how humans behave in socio-technical environments. Her current research interests include the effectiveness of counter-speech strategies, the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, and the impact of social media content recommendation algorithms on societal outcomes.

What role does ecohydrology play in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring fair water distribution? How can research help us adapt to the changing environment? These are the key questions explored in Professor Andrea Rinaldo’s work, discussed in this podcast.

In the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, we dive deep into the world of eco-hydrology with a special guest, Professor Andrea Rinaldo, a leading expert in water resources and hydrology. Professor Rinaldo is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Padua and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He was awarded the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize in 2023 for his outstanding contributions to the field of water research.

In this episode, we explore the critical importance of ecohydrology, a field that studies the interactions between water systems and ecosystems. Professor Rinaldo discusses the value of natural capital and how understanding the relationship between water, ecosystems, and human activities is vital to addressing the challenges of climate change, water distribution, and resource management. He also delves into the concept of “beauty” in the landscape, sharing how the cultural value of natural environments can be integrated into our development plans.

As we face increasingly urgent issues like droughts, floods, and pandemics, Professor Rinaldo reflects on how his research provides insights into adapting to these changes, ensuring the fair distribution of water resources, and preventing future health crises.

Additionally, the episode touches on his personal connection to Venice, his hometown, where his research into water governance and environmental protection is especially pertinent. Professor Rinaldo shares his thoughts on the future of this iconic city as it grapples with rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges.

Learn more about Andrea Rinaldo:

Andrea Rinaldo is an Italian hydrologist and engineer, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to ecohydrology and water resource management. He is Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Padova and Director of the Laboratory of Ecohydrology (ECHO) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the world’s first laboratory dedicated to ecohydrology, which he founded in 2008.He has also collaborated with institutions like MIT and Princeton University. In 2023, he received the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize for his impactful research in hydrology, hydrogeomorphology, and epidemiology, advancing strategies to protect biodiversity and control waterborne diseases.

Rinaldo played for Italy’s national rugby team in the 1970s and remains active in the sport at the managerial level. He is a member of several prestigious academies, including the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. With over 320 peer-reviewed publications, he has also written works for a broader audience, including Del rugby. Verso una ecologia della palla ovale (2017) and Il governo dell’acqua (2023), exploring environmental and climate issues.

After the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the key challenges organisations face in balancing flexibility with maintaining team cohesion? And what role can scientific research play in improving the future of remote work? These are the questions at the heart of Jurgita Lazauskaitė-Zabielskė’s podcast episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills.

As the demand for telework continues to rise, organisations must address critical challenges such as ensuring productivity, balancing flexibility with structure, and supporting employees' mental health. The discussion explores practical strategies for overcoming these hurdles and emphasises the importance of research-based approaches to improving telework implementation.

For the 33rd episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills “How will teleworking shape our work in the future?”, Professor Jurgita Lazauskaitė-Zabielskė shares her experience with remote work and offers a glimpse into how scientific research can guide the development of more sustainable, flexible work models.

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Jurgita Lazauskaitė-Zabielskė is a professor at Vilnius University and heads the Organizational Psychology Research Centre. Her research focuses on the impact of flexible work arrangements on employee well-being and performance, with particular attention to work engagement burnout, and work-life balance.

How have ideas about food, health and the body evolved throughout history? What impact do these concepts have on inclusion and exclusion, and on society in general? These are the questions at the heart of Nina Mackert’s research fields.

Nina Mackert is a historian working in the interdisciplinary LeipzigLab "Global Health" at Leipzig University. In this episode, she shares her perspectives on how food and health have influenced society through the years and explores the complex relationship between body image and societal norms.

As she is finalising her second book, which delves into the history of calories, she provides a thought-provoking discussion on how our understanding of food and health continues to impact modern life. With her extensive research and knowledge, Nina Mackert offers valuable insights that reshape how we think about food, health and the body.

How have ideas about food, health and the body evolved throughout history? What impact do these concepts have on inclusion and exclusion, and on society in general? These are the questions at the heart of Nina Mackert’s research fields.

Nina Mackert is a historian working in the interdisciplinary LeipzigLab "Global Health" at Leipzig University. In this episode, she shares her perspectives on how food and health have influenced society through the years and explores the complex relationship between body image and societal norms.

As she is finalising her second book, which delves into the history of calories, she provides a thought-provoking discussion on how our understanding of food and health continues to impact modern life. With her extensive research and knowledge, Nina Mackert offers valuable insights that reshape how we think about food, health and the body.

How is the teaching profession dealing with the increasing shortage across the world?  What are the common factors fueling this global crisis? What are the strategies to implement to support these challenges? These are the questions at the heart of Maria Assunção Flores’s research fields, which are discussed in this podcast.

For the 31st episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills “How critical is the shortage of teachers today?” We invited Maria Assunção Flores, an Associate Professor at the Institute of Education of the University of Minho, specialising in teacher education. In this episode, she provides her analysis and perspective on the current global education crisis, explores the impact of the integration of technology in education, and discusses potential actions to improve the educational landscape. With her extensive research background and leadership in the field, Assunção Flores offers invaluable insights into addressing this urgent issue.

Learn more about Maria Assunção Flores:

Maria Assunção Flores concluded her Degree in Teaching of Portuguese and French and her Master Degree in Education, both at the UMinho. She received her PhD in Education from the University of Nottingham, UK and was a visiting scholar at the Universities of Cambridge and Glasgow, UK. She was also the Chair of the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT) (2013-2015) as well as of the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) (2011-2015).

At the moment, Assunção Flores is the director of the Research Centre on Child Studies, a professor with habilitation at the Institute of Education of the University of Minho as well as Chair of the Council of the Institute of Education