Life Solved

Professor Deborah Shaw says the film and TV industry is falling short of being inclusive, and that’s reflected in ceremonies like the Oscars, which takes place next week.

In this episode of the Life Solved podcast, she explores how the route to equality lies in representation both on screen and off. She shares insights from her research into Latin American and Spanish film as well as gender and sexuality in cinema.

Deborah also touches on how social media can highlight issues, advocate for change and unite communities, and the movement to ‘de-westernise’ film and present different cultures and lifestyles to viewers.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Professor Deborah Shaw @devorahshawa

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/deborah-shaw

A history of inequality at the Oscars

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/movies/oscarssowhite-history.html

MeToo

https://metoomvmt.org

Expanding the borders of Transnational Cinema

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/transnational-screens-expanding-the-borders-of-transnational-cine

Check out Deborah’s Book

https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9780719097591/the-three-amigos/

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As Iran experiences a period of heightened unrest, the conflict between civil rights and an authoritarian state continues to play out in public and private life.

Dr. Mahsa Ghaffari is a specialist in marketing, and in this episode of Life Solved she explores how dress codes and shopping choices are allowing women to subtly subvert state oppression through clothing and consumer choices in Iran.

She explains how Iran’s history has previously navigated these tensions and how social media and access to an online worldwide community are encouraging young women to question authority and share a window on women’s rights with the wider world.

You can find out more about Mahsa’s research and other work at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Dr. Mahsa Ghaffari

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/mahsa-ghaffari

Exploiting institutional plasticity in Iranian advertising

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/cracking-the-box-or-stretching-its-walls-exploiting-institutional

Follow the latest news on Iranian protests

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cw97d85vjzmt

The death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-62930425

Who are Iran’s Morality Police?

https://theconversation.com/who-are-irans-morality-police-a-scholar-of-the-middle-east-explains-their-history-196023

https://time.com/6238973/iran-morality-police-abolish-masha-amini-protests/

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One of the UK’s most commonly faced crimes is now fraud and it’s costing us billions of pounds. From text scams to fake websites and identity theft using deepfake technology, this kind of crime takes many forms and crosses national borders so policing it can be a challenge.

But before you give up using the internet altogether, have a listen to this episode with Professor Mark Button, who shares his tips for staying safe online, and the scams he thinks we need to be mindful of in the future.

Mark also explains how something called the dark web is enabling fraud, and what the impact of increased scams have been upon individuals, whilst discussing the laws and regulation around cybercrime internationally. 

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Professor Mark Button

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/mark-button

The Centre for Counter-Fraud Studies

https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/centre-for-counter-fraud-studies

Cybercrime and Fraud on the increase

https://www.smf.co.uk/commentary_podcasts/fraud-is-britains-dominant-crime/

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/fraud-and-economic-crime

https://www.experian.co.uk/blogs/latest-thinking/fraud-prevention/cybercrime-fraud-most-common-crime-uk/

What is the Dark Web?

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-the-dark-web/

Scam Adviser helps you check websites for scams

https://www.scamadviser.com

Report Fraud to Action Fraud

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

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What do intimacy and sex look like in cyberspace, and how will this inform relationships of the future?

Thanks to technology, humans have more ways to engage intimately with each other and themselves in cyberspace.

The University of Portsmouth’s Dr Trudy Barber has been exploring how the body can become ‘multi-mediated’ with technology and virtual reality since her 1980s art student days. In this episode she explains how the digital age is evolving sexual identity and community.

She also looks at how the socio-political context of sexuality has played a role in how technology is received and where it is used, as well as some of our underlying fears and reservations. So are we about to be taken over by an army of sex robots? Trudy helps clear up a few myths.

Please note this episode contains adult subject matter which some listeners may be sensitive to.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Dr Trudy Barber @trudybarber

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/trudy-barber

Will sexual experiences in technology influence how we interact with and love others?

https://www.maize.io/news/vr-technology-sex/

Trudy’s Art

http://trudybarberarts.blogspot.com/p/about.html

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Why do burglars commit crimes and what kinds of decisions do they make when carrying out a crime? The answer could help us reduce the number of burglaries taking place.

More than 192,000 burglaries were reported between 2021 and 2022 across England and Wales. The impact upon victims goes beyond lost possessions and can have a longer-term impact on their sense of security in their own homes.

But Matthew Talbot thinks that some alterations in our behaviour, as well as embracing the tools of the digital age could be set to change that.

In this episode of Life Solved we find out how he’s bringing together forensics and psychology in the Virtual Burglary Project at the University of Portsmouth.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Matthew Talbot

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Talbot-2

The Virtual Burglary Project at the University of Portsmouth

https://csl.mpg.de/en/projects/virtual-burglary-project

Understanding Burglars in the Virtual Environment

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1745-9125.12210

https://networkinstitute.org/2020/12/07/helping-householders-to-better-understand-burglary-risks-using-vr/

Listen to the Life Solved episode with Matthew’s colleague Professor Claire Nee

https://shows.acast.com/life-solved/episodes/outsmartingcriminalswithvrft.professorclairenee

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Dr Claire Bailey-Ross explains how virtual, augmented and extended reality techniques are enhancing our learning experiences in museums, galleries and online in this episode of Life Solved.

From virtually exploring the culture of UK cities to immersive experiences of wartime history and former nightclubs, the projects Claire works on in her digital heritage role are diverse!

She explains how colleagues at the Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality at the University of Portsmouth are helping make the stuff of history books new, current and exciting for new generations of learners.

Claire also thinks that technology will be key in securing the futures of museums and heritage institutions, so that they can continue to educate and engage people for years to come.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Dr Claire-Bailey Ross @clairey_ross

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/claire-bailey-ross

The Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality

https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/ccixr

The LCT 7074 D Day Landing Craft Experience

https://theddaystory.com/plan-your-visit/what-to-see-at-the-d-day-story/d-day-landing-craft-tank-lct-7074/

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From last summer’s hosepipe bans to burst pipes in winter and seasonal flooding, the UK’s water systems are far from predictable in the face of climate change and development. So what can research do to solve a growing crisis in the supply and management of water here?

Dr Peter Cruddas is a Senior Lecturer in Water Environmental Engineering at the University of Portsmouth. In this episode of Life Solved he discusses our aged infrastructure and what needs to be done in the face of droughts, drawing upon his past work in Africa and research into the water cycle and its ecology.

From technology to behavioural change, forecasting and modelling – find out what we can all do to safeguard a resilient and reliable water system for the future.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Dr Peter Cruddas

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/peter-cruddas

Technology for water and wastewater in the circular economy

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/a-conceptual-framework-for-a-multi-criteria-decision-support-tool

The UK’s water crisis threat

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lack-of-water-presents-existential-threat-says-environment-agency-chief

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/united-kingdom-water-crisis

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Escaping from reality with a favourite TV show, book or movie is a great move at this time of year, but how did the stories we love become massive money-making franchises?

In this episode of Life Solved, Professor Lincoln Geraghty takes us through a history of the film franchise, and explores how they’re keeping our imaginations and the film industry alive today.

From fan-based communities that seek to do good for the planet, to sub-cultures and groups where people can unite over the shared values of fictional worlds, the film franchise may have begun to help movie studios sustain production, but they become so much more in the hands of the fans.

Lincoln also explores how characters we’ve loved for decades are able to evolve with changing social norms, and looks at how fan communities can also keep our favourite narratives and trilogies up to date.  

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Professor Lincoln Geraghty @lincolngeraghty

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/lincoln-geraghty

What is a film franchise?

https://medium.com/@Ihsanrzki/the-differences-between-a-franchise-and-a-standalone-movie-1d7689be7f9a

What is transmedia storytelling?

https://www.targetinternet.com/resources/transmedia-storytelling-in-2021

A “transmedia playground” for Star Wars fans

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/from-anaheim-to-batuu-fan-tourism-and-disneys-istar-wars-galaxys-

Fan Tourism

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/fan-tourism-and-conventions

Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations

https://press.disney.co.uk/news/disney-100-years-of-wonder-stars-line-up-to-celebrate-disneys-100th-anniversary

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In this episode of Life Solved, Dr Fay Couceiro shares the latest on an exciting partnership between the University of Portsmouth and a 2,000 mile competitive rowing event!

In the Summer of 2022, GB Row participants set out to row the length of the UK coastline in a gruelling endurance event, but not only that, they were gathering data to help study and map the health of our oceans.

Braving waves, extremes of weather and turbulent conditions, the teams took samples along the way, with specially designed equipment to capture insights from sound waves to microplastics and environmental DNA.

Fay explains how this data is allowing us unrivalled insights into the extent of plastics pollution and biodiversity loss in these waters. But she also says it’s an opportunity for policymakers to take notice and take action on the global plastics crisis.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Dr Fay Couceiro

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/fay-couceiro

Find out about GB Row @gbrowchallenge

https://www.gbrowchallenge.com

What is a microplastic?

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics

Fay’s research into microplastics in wastewater     

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/optimising-sample-preparation-for-ftir-based-microplastic-analysi

How Revolution Plastics are leading a global movement to tackle plastics pollution @uopplastics

https://www.port.ac.uk/research/themes/sustainability-and-the-environment/revolution-plastics

Watch Videos from the GB Row series, including interviews about the science and technology here:

https://www.youtube.com/@gbrowchallenge9463

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If you’re starting the new year with some aspirations to live a better life, you might be wondering what you can do to make a better planet too.

Chris Jones is a Reader in Applied Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and he’s sharing his insights into how public perception and psychology can play a role in tackling one of our world’s critical problems: climate change.

He says there are more effective ways of getting people to engage with energy tech to reduce their carbon footprints. He also explains what he means by appealing to the general ‘publics’ – and how brands and organisations can do more to represent a diverse and varied group of opinions and beliefs.

And if you’re trying a plant-based diet this year, Chris explains why it could be the start of something much bigger!

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects

USEFUL LINKS

Chris Jones @CRJonesPsych

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/chris-jones

Predicting attitudes towards fusion energy

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/predicting-attitudes-towards-fusion-energy-in-europe-results-of-a

Some ‘home truths’ for Sustainable Tourism     

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09669582.2021.2000995

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