Disruptive Voices from UCL Grand Challenges

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval,  the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converging to shape healthier, more inclusive spaces for everyone. 

This wide-ranging conversation touches on the potential of this pioneering field to transform sectors such as healthcare, education, and urban planning. With deep insights from research and practice, the episode explores how our brains respond to the spaces we inhabit, and how better design can enhance wellbeing, accessibility, and human connection.

Featured in this episode:

Host: Jade Hunter – Coordinator, UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing
With special thanks to our guests:
Professor Hugo Spiers – UCL Department of Experimental Psychology
Dr Fiona Zisch – Lecturer in Architecture, UCL Bartlett School of Architecture
Isabelle Charval – Design Strategist and Co-Founder, Centre for Neuroarchitecture

In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Week, host Jade Hunter is joined by Professor John Tomaney, Dr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, and James Fildes, founder of Space North East. Together, they explore a growing public health crisis: rising rates of male suicide in the UK, particularly in post-industrial regions like the North East.

This conversation examines how non-clinical, community-led interventions are filling critical gaps in mental health support for working-class men in the North East of England. Drawing on lived experience, academic research, and grassroots activism, this episode highlights the importance of belonging, place-based identity, and social infrastructure in men’s mental wellbeing.
 
Featured in this episode:
Host: Jade Hunter – Coordinator, UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing
With special thanks to our guests: 
Professor John Tomaney – UCL Bartlett School of Planning, Pro-Provost for Regional Communities
Dr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros – Research Associate and Honorary Research Fellow, UCL
James Fildes – Founder and Managing Director, Space North East
 
Resources:
Learn more about UCL Grand Challenges https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/
Visit Space North East https://spacenortheast.org/
Read about the project’s progress and future outputs via the Grand Challenges Mental Health and Wellbeing page https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/themes/mental-health-wellbeing

Dr Meena Khatwa and Dr Kelly Dickson delve into the bio-psychosocial impacts of menopause with special guests Lauren Chiren (CEO, Women of a Certain Stage); Sonia Abrams (UCL Head of Events OPVA) and Josephine Falade (Associate Professor, UCL School of Pharmacy). Together, they explore menopause awareness, acceptance, and the transition process.

 This podcast is part of the wider UCL Grand Challenges funded project ‘Coping with Menopause: exploring women’s lived experiences of work and the multigenerational squeeze’.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/impacts-and-outputs/podcasts

Date of episode recording: 2024-07-25T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:40:48
Language of episode: English (UK)
Presenter:Meena Khatwa; Kelly Dickson
Guests: Sonia Abrams; Lauren Chiren; Josephine Falade
Producer: Phil Mason, Meena Khatwa, Kelly Dickson

Transcription link: 
https://otter.ai/u/CDPELeb9YvZIcxTBpUu5z11ZJMw?utm_source=copy_url

Join us in this special episode as we explore UCL's evolved Grand Challenge: Data-Empowered Societies.

In this podcast, you’ll hear from UCL staff about the transformative potential of this Grand Challenge, ethical data practices, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
This episode features UCL colleagues, including:

• Prof. Allison Littlejohn, Professor of Learning Technology and Director of the UCL Knowledge Lab
• Prof. Jack Stilgoe, Professor of Science and Technology, Department of Science & Technology Studies
• Dr Jin Gao, Lecturer in Digital Archives, Department of Information Studies
• Samantha Ahern, Senior Digital Research Trainer, Digital Skills Development

For more information on how to get involved, visit our website or contact us at [email protected]

Producers: Huda Ahmed, Lisa Juangbhanich, Phil Mason
Narrator: Huda Ahmed

In this episode, Professor Nick Tyler (Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, UCL Engineering) shares his vision of how cities are built, evolve, and how this process might include more creativity and humanity. Using perspectives from academia and the arts, Professor Tyler paints a picture of cities that puts people at the centre.

In this episode, Dr Mine Orlu (UCL School of Pharmacy) shares her positive perspective on ageing, and explains the need for a cultural change in ageing research and policy. She also shares some learning from actively involving participants in her own research and the outputs they have co-created.

You can find out more and access the transcript here: Uclsound – Disruptive-voices-celebrating-old-age

In this episode, we speak to Dr Marina Romanello and Professor Ilan Kelman, about climate change as a health disaster. We discuss how to better measure the impact of climate change on health, and crucially, how to protect the most vulnerable from its negative effects. Our guests also propose alternative framings to achieve the best health and prosperity for all in the future.

Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)

In Episode 4, we speak to Ayşe Lisa Allison, a PhD Student working with the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. We explore some of the barriers to environmentally friendly action, and examine the links between behavioural science and design, focusing on biodegradable and compostable packaging and labelling. We also discuss the issue of disposable healthcare items, exploring some of the trade-offs when it comes to health and the environment.

In this episode, we speak to Professor Sophia Psarra (The Bartlett School of Architecture) to discuss how the architecture of parliament buildings across Europe influences the nature of political debates and contributes to shaping national identities.

More info: www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/c…d-democracy-europe

Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)

Find out more about UCL's research and engagement in Europe on our portal, European Voices: www.ucl.ac.uk/european-voices/

In this series, guests from across UCL and beyond share their innovative solutions and ideas for addressing societal challenges, discussing topics from a cross-disciplinary perspective and inspiring and encouraging us to think differently about issues of local, national, and global concern.

In this week’s episode, Professor Rose Luckin (UCL Institute of Education) and Nimmi Patel (TechUK) discuss what AI developments could mean for the future of work in the UK and globally, and how we need to redefine our understanding of good work to harness AI’s potential for positive change.

Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)