Beyond Boundaries

What does it mean to 'decolonise' a museum? And what is the difference being being 'not racist' and being 'anti-racist' in the way you showcase artefacts and exhibits?

Aberdeen, as an ancient university, has acquired museum pieces from all over the world - and sometimes needs to make very tricky ethical decisions about what should happen to them.

This introduction to decolonising is with Museum Studies lecturer Dr Rachel Smith, and the University's Head of Museums & Special Collections Neil Curtis.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

Medical science students at Aberdeen benefit from the chance to work with real people's bodies, that have been donated after their death.

Hundreds of people from across north Scotland have signed up to donate their bodies in future - including Beyond Boundaries host Tamsin!

In this episode, Tamsin and Swathi learn about how and when bodies are donated, with the University's Regius Chair of Anatomy Prof Simon Parson.

Aberdeen is ranked 2nd in the UK for the study of Anatomy and Physiology in the 2025 Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

Ever worry that you're addicted to scrolling on social media? It turns out there is a big difference between 'an addiction' and 'a habit'.

Get all the answers - and top tips on cracking your social media habit - with Dr Helen Knight from the University of Aberdeen's School of Psychology.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

Our next generation of lawyers face an enormous new challenge: how to keep pace with rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.

For example, how can we legislate for 'deathbots', where someone’s online activity can be uploaded to an avatar to imitate their conversational style after they have died?  

Understanding and staying ahead of technology is a big passion for Dr Patricia Živković. She is a senior lecturer in Aberdeen's prestigious School of Law.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

Girl or boy? How tall? What eye colour? Advances in technology mean that it’s increasingly possible for expectant parents to make precise choices about characteristics of their unborn children. But what rights should parents have to do this, and what are the ethical considerations?  

The University of Aberdeen has been at the forefront of guiding effective and ethical assisted reproduction in Scotland for decades.

Our expert for this episode is Prof Siladitya Bhattacharya (often known as just Bhatty). He is a University Vice Principal and former head of Aberdeen's state-of-the-art School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

'You are what you eat', right? Swathi and Samantha unpack how food and drink choices impact climate change, and how food poverty affects communities right here in Scotland.

Our experts this time are Prof. Alexandra Johnstone and Prof. Jennie MacDiarmid - both from Aberdeen's prestigious Rowett Institute for food and nutrition research.

Learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, and find a prospectus here.

Introducing Beyond Boundaries, a series showcasing the ground breaking research and inspirational teaching that awaits you at the University of Aberdeen.

In each episode, Aberdeen students introduce you to diverse and pioneering experts from across the university. Subscribe now so you don't miss a thing.

To learn more about studying at the University of Aberdeen, find a digital prospectus here.