Exploring Global Problems

Climate change is no longer something that we can think of as a problem of the future or only a matter of concern elsewhere in the world – it is already with us and can be viewed as the defining global challenge of our age. Our current situation is undoubtedly worrying, but there is a great deal that can be done to mitigate the worst consequences of climate change, adapt to those that cannot be avoided, and secure as much remediation as possible now and into the far future. This includes action at all levels from the institutional to the individual and the global to the local.

In this episode, Professor Karen Morrow and Dr Victoria Jenkins  with host Dr Sam Blaxland discuss global climate and environmental governance and what people and institutions can do to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Beth yn union yw ffuglen wyddonol, a sut mae genre o’r fath yn ein helpu i archwilio’r problemau byd-eang sy’n ein hwynebu o ddydd i ddydd? A all genre sy’n cael ei weld fel genre sy’n drwm dan ddylanwad diwylliant ‘Eingl-Americanaidd’, ac sy’n portreadu heb eu tebyg, fod yn berthnasol i ddiwylliannau lleiafrifol heddiw?

Yn y bennod hon, mae Dr Miriam Elin Jones, mewn sgwrs ag Elin Rhys, yn trafod o ble ddaeth ei diddordeb mewn ffuglen wyddonol, a chyflwyno sut y gall y genre archwilio nifer o bryderon perthnasol i ddiwylliant lleiafrifol fel y diwylliant Cymraeg, drwy bortreadu tranc iaith a pherthynas iaith a thechnoleg.

 

Mae Dr Miriam Elin Jones yn Ddarlithydd yn y Gymraeg ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, ac yn arbenigwr ym maes ffuglen wyddonol y Gymraeg. Datblygodd ei hymchwil yn sgil ei diddordeb yn y modd y mae’r berthynas rhwng ieithoedd lleiafrifol a thechnoleg, a goblygiadau tranc iaith i gymdeithas a’i diwylliant yn cael eu harchwilio mewn ffuglen wyddonol yn Gymraeg.

Ar hyn o bryd, mae Dr Jones yn rhan o Rwydwaith Adrodd Newid Gwledig, sy’n cyfuno ei magwraeth wledig a’i hymchwil i ddadansoddi portreadau o ffermio a bywyd yng nghefn gwlad mewn testunau ffuglen wyddonol yn y Gymraeg. Yn llenor a dramodydd, mae ganddi hefyd ddiddordeb mewn beirniadaeth greadigol ac archwilio’r berthynas rhwng beirniadaeth ac ysgrifennu creadigol.

What exactly is science fiction, and how can it help us make sense of global problems we face in day-to-day life? Can a genre traditionally viewed as an ‘Anglo-American’ genre, portraying roaring machines and advanced technology, be relevant to a minority language culture?

In this episode, Dr Miriam Elin Jones discusses with host Elin Rhys, her interest in science fiction, and how what could potentially be seen as an antithesis to Welsh-language culture, explores many relevant and pressing concerns, such as language death and a minority language’s uneasy relationship with technology.

 

Dr Miriam Elin Jones is a Lecturer in Welsh at Swansea University and an expert on Welsh-language science fiction. Her research stems from a keen interest in how Welsh-language science-fiction explores the relationship between minority languages and technology and the idea of language decline, and how that might effect a society and its culture.

Dr Jones is currently part of the Narrating Rural Change Network, combining her upbringing with her research to explore portrayals of farming and rural life in Welsh-language science fiction. As a published author, she also has an interest in creative criticism, which offers the opportunity to combine literary criticism with creative writing.

A regular menstrual cycle is extremely important and a vital sign of good health and overall well-being. Nevertheless, women, girls and individuals who menstruate, often contend with debilitating symptoms associated with menstruation, such as fatigue, menstrual cramps, mood fluctuations, disrupted sleep, and headaches. Managing these symptoms pose a significant barrier to the participation in physical activities within schools and can negatively impact on the performance of elite athletes.

In this episode, Dr Natalie Brown  in conversation with Dr Sam Blaxland discusses the perceptions and experiences of the menstrual cycle in elite sport and across schools in the UK, and how activity and good nutrition can manage menstrual-related symptoms.

Autistic people have worse physical and mental health than their allistic (non-Autistic) peers. This includes dying between 16 and 30 years early. Deficit narratives of Autism, discrimination towards Autistic people and significant healthcare inaccessibility all contribute to this.

In this episode, Dr Aimee Grant with host Sam Blaxland discuss how their research looks to uncover Autistic people’s lived experiences and healthcare needs to reduce and reverse health inequalities.

Generative Artificial Intelligence is a branch of artificial intelligence that uses deep learning algorithms, trained on large datasets, to generate content such as text, images, videos, and music. ChatGPT is just one example of generative AI that can generate human-like responses to text prompts and can be used in a variety of applications such as chatbots, language translation, and content creation. As these technologies continue to evolve, they have the potential to revolutionise the way we interact with machines and each other. However, it's important to be aware of the potential ethical implications and to ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of all.

In this episode, Professor Yogesh Dwivedi and Dr Laurie Hughes with host Sam Blaxland discuss the potential benefits, challenges and risks associated with using generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT. What impact will it have in education and what are the implications for individuals, organisations and institutions in wider society?

England and Wales currently has one of the highest prison populations per 100,000 capita in the western world. Current reoffending rates of those released from prison are between 40% - 60%. Many aspects of the penal system are not working. 

Dr Gemma Morgan in discussion with host Sam Blaxland explores the real challenges people face when leaving prison, and how harnessing digital technology in innovative new ways can support those leaving prison or on probation to stop offending and achieve positive outcomes.

Commercial self-driving passenger and freight services has the potential to revolutionise public transport and passenger travel with many benefits that include reduced road traffic accidents due to human error, to improved connectivity to remote areas for goods and healthcare services. Yet building public trust and acceptance in autonomous systems and overcoming the perception of risk will be challenging.

 

In this episode, in discussion with Dr Sam Blaxland, Siraj Shaikh, Professor in Systems Security in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, talks about the evolution and future of self-driving technology; the risks and benefits, and how pushing industry standards can help build public trust in complex autonomous technologies.

 

Siraj Shaikh is a Professor in Systems Security at Swansea University (UK). His research interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, systems engineering and computer science addressing cyber-physical systems security for automotive and transport systems. Professor Shaikh is also Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at CyberOwl, which is dedicated to cyber-physical systems security monitoring for the maritime sector. He is also currently a Visiting Professor at Nebrija University, Spain and hosts the podcast "Higher Purpose" on Unity FM in Birmingham. The podcast's goal is to foster debate and discussion about issues and challenges experienced by minority communities in higher education.

We know from transport research that most car journeys in the UK are less than five miles with just one person in the vehicle, so how can we encourage people to use more sustainable travel options?

In this podcast episode, Professor of Environmental Psychology Ian Walker explores the phenomenon of ‘Motor Normativity’. This is the idea that people have concluded without question that the world order, in terms of transport habits, is correct. When individuals or groups try to bring about change, for example, by encouraging people to drive less or shift the way they travel to active, cleaner modes of transport, there is very often a surprisingly aggressive backlash.

Professor Walker’s research looks at behaviours that are triggered automatically and unconsciously by the environment an individual finds themselves in, specifically in the context of driving habits. His interest in this area of study stems from his own experience as a cyclist.

Warning: This podcast episode contains discussions about suicide, which may be distressing  to some individuals. We encourage listener discretion and self-care. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please seek help immediately. Below are links to organisations in the UK and Wales that can provide support and assistance:

 

1. Samaritans: The Samaritans offer 24/7 emotional support to anyone in distress, including those feeling suicidal. You can call their helpline at 116 123 (UK) or 116 123 (Wales) or visit their website: https://www.samaritans.org/

2. Mind: Mind is a mental health charity providing advice and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems. They have a helpline, local branches, and a wide range of resources available. Visit their website: https://www.mind.org.uk/

3. PAPYRUS: PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to preventing young suicide. They provide confidential support and advice to young people and anyone concerned about a young person. Call their helpline HOPELineUK at 0800 068 4141 or visit their website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

4. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): CALM is a leading movement against suicide, providing support for men in the UK. They offer a helpline and webchat service for anyone feeling down or in crisis. Visit their website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/

5. Welsh Mental Health Helpline: The Welsh Mental Health Helpline provides confidential support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress in Wales. Call them at 0800 132 737 or visit their website: https://www.callhelpline.org.uk/

 

In this episode, Professor of Health Data Science, Ann John and host Dr Sam Blaxland explore suicide and self-harm prevention and how anonymised data can help to design interventions and develop policies to help inform and train professionals in contact with those who are at risk of suicide.One of the biggest myths about suicide is that it’s inevitable, however suicide is eminently preventable. Over the last ten years, the rate of suicide in children and young people has been increasing. Research suggests for every death through suicide almost 135 lives can be affected. 

Professor John’s research looks at anonymised data linking across sectors from school attendance and absences, examination attainment and medical appointments with the GP or in hospitals to social media, Google analytics and media reporting. Whilst this data is never linked to a named individual the patterns of behaviours of a number of individuals can build a picture of how interventions can be designed, protocols put in place and policies developed to help inform and train professionals in contact with those who self-harm or are at risk of suicide.