GCU Common Good Podcast

Professor Katrina Bannigan joins the latest Common Good Podcast to share her experiences of taking part in Points of Pride, one of the most important events that takes place at GCU and gives our staff the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success and the achievements of their peers and colleagues. Professor Bannigan talks about receiving a nomination, why she nominated others, and what it meant to her both professionally and personally.

Oscar Mendoza, a former political prisoner and Chilean refugee who has lived in Scotland since 1975, joins the Common Good Podcast to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Chilean coup d'état where the democratically elected President Salvador Allende was overthrown and replaced by a military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet. Speaking with host Craig G Telfer and University Archivist Carole McCallum, Oscar talks about his early life in Chile and the events that led up to 11 September 1973, the day itself, and the immediate aftermath. He then goes on to discuss his 20-month detention under the regime, his exile to Scotland and his time at the Glasgow College of Technology, one of the founding institutions of Glasgow Caledonian University.

Josh Roberts, the Acting Head Student Recruitment (UK) at Glasgow Caledonian University, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about clearing. Clearing opens for students who received their SQA qualifications on Tuesday 8 August. Josh discusses what it means, how the process works, and how any potential students can get involved. He also provides some hints and tips and dos and don'ts.

Find out more about clearing at Glasgow Caledonian University by visiting gcu.ac.uk/study.clearing or by phoning us on 0800 027 9171.

Dr Azam Nekahi, a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Power Engineering, and Gail McEwen, a member of the University's Suite of Assessment team, join the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about Women in Engineering Day 2023. The pair discuss why events like this are important, the barriers that prevent girls and young women from studying STEM subjects, and what needs to be done to change this. They also talk about a new piece of research that explores the harm of gender-coded language and the obstacles in can create.

Dr Karen Lorimer joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her research examining working-class women's experiences of sexual violence. Dr Lorimer explains why this is a first-of-its-kind study, how we define "working class" and how this research can be used in a practical context. She also discusses other research projects, her methodology, and her background in sexual health and wellbeing.

Alan Jack, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Video Games, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about his experiences of living with ADHD. Alan, who was diagnosed with ADHD with autistic traits in his late thirties, describes what his life was like before and after his diagnosis, and how he supports students with similar neurodivergent traits. He also talks about games design and how GCU is developing the next generation of video games developers.

Jimi Mitchell, a Senior Library Administrator at the Sir Alex Ferguson Library, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about a brand new recording facility on our Glasgow campus. Jimi talks about the genesis of the snappily titled Recording Studio, his hopes and ambitions for it, and how it can become and important facility for students, staff and the wider GCU community. He also talks about his own background in podcasting and his career at the University.

The second of our special podcasts celebrating International Women's Day 2023 sees Dr Yvonne Dempsie, a lecturer in pharmacology, joining the show. Dr Dempsie looks over her career, from her undergraduate degree to working at Glasgow Caledonian University. She discusses the challenges of academia, her experiences on the Aurora Programme, and what International Women's Day means to her.

As part of International Women's Day 2023, the Common Good Podcast is proud to bring you the first of two interviews with female members of the GCU community. Tabitha Nyariki joins the show to talk about her journey from the African Leadership College in Mauritius to the University's Race Equality Charter Project Officer. Tabitha talks about why she chose to study at GCU, her experiences in student politics and what International Women's Day means to her.

Dr Bryan McCann and Dr Ciara Reidy join the Common Good Podcast to talk about the ProActive Minds programme, a knowledge transfer partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University and Sport Aberdeen designed to embed the principles of sports psychology in high schools. Dr McCann and Dr Reidy discuss the genesis of the project, how it will work, and how it could be rolled out across the country.