GCU Common Good Podcast

Melissa Pettigrew, a Recruitment and Events Administrative Assistant at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss the importance of student recruitment to the University. She talks about how the global pandemic has changed the way her and her team work and the challenges in bringing in new students. Melissa also talks about her own journey, from a GCU student to a member of staff.

Peter Yetton, the Head of Visas, Immigration Support and Advice, returns to the Common Good Podcast to talk about how the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit will impact on GCU’s ability to recruit students.

In this wide-ranging podcast, Peter sets out the challenges posed by the pandemic and how the University can respond to it, and how it will usher in new ways of working.

He also examines Brexit and how it should be treated as an opportunity for the higher-education sector.

Dr Kate McAulay from the Department of Applied Science joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss her research into developing a gel that can clean micropollutants from water. Dr McAulay talks about the science behind her theory, how it will work in practice and the benefits it could bring to the pharmaceutical industry. She also discusses her background in chemistry and science and some of the barriers women face in academia.

The University Archivist, Carole McCallum, joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss the veritable treasure trove stored inside our archives. Carole talks about the various items stored within the archives, including some high-profile collections, the history of GCU, and why it's important we document and preserve items from the past.

Learn more about the Archive Centre at GCU by visiting the website:

https://www.gcu.ac.uk/archives/

Professor John McKendrick returns to the Common Good Podcast to discuss child poverty in Scotland and the steps being taken to alleviate the issue. Professor McKendrick talks about his research with the Scottish Poverty and Information Research Unit has informed a grab-and-go scheme designed to give schoolchildren a free breakfast.

Professor Babakalli Alkali joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss his research into making our nation's railways safer and more efficient. He talks about the current issues facing railway operators and how his work is helping improve customer satisfaction and the move towards decarbonisation.

Professor Alkali also reflects on a successful KTP with ScotRail in 2014 that looked to improve the efficiency of the doors on their fleet, which reduced delays and cancellations, as well as his upcoming professorial lecture on the benefits of remote condition modelling and reliability-centred maintenance.

The professorial lecture takes place online on March 2 at 4pm. Sign up using this link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/professorial-lecture-by-professor-babakalli-alkali-tickets-132931853753

Dr Christopher Hand returns to the Common Good Podcast to discuss a new study that examines the behaviour of Twitter users - and how a quarter of participants displayed psychopathic tendencies. Dr Hand talks in depth about his research, discussing why people behave in certain ways online, and explores what social-media companies can do to crackdown on abuse.

Dr David Farrell joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the Global Game Jam, one of the highlights of the year for GCU's video games department. Dr Farrell discusses the evolution of the event and what it will look like in the current climate. He also reflects on his own background in video games before looking at some of the key issues facing the industry, including crunch and microtransactions.

Patrick Quinn, a Senior Lecturer in Audio Technology, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about Celtic Connections on Campus, one of the most celebrated events in the GCU calendar. Patrick discusses its genesis and evolution, and what shape it will take this year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. He also looks back on his journey in academia and the challenges of working in the current climate.

Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas from the British School of Fashion joins the Common Good Podcast to examine how the fashion industry can be both sustainable and responsible. She outlines how the discussion around where our clothes come from is changing, how businesses can be sustainable while turning a profit, and good and bad examples from the industry.