Meliora: a podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss the invisible threat to our planet and sustainability … antibiotic resistance.

Host: Harry 

Guests: Flo, Holly and Bess

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we explore if vertical farming could be a sustainable solution to Britain's Food Supply Crisis. Join us as we delve into the environmental impacts of importing fruit and vegetables into the UK and discover if vertical farming has the potential to solve these issues

Host: Cat

Guests: Alice and Eve

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss sustainability within international sporting events. Join us as we explore the environmental and socioeconomic impacts these events may bring, as well as how they contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they can continue to do so into the future.

Host: Ellen

Guests: Jazz, Anna and Isla

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are going to talk about sustainability in research. With a global push towards sustainability such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) there’s a growing conversation around whether scientists have an obligation to conduct research in ways that minimize environmental impact.

Host: Julian

Guests:  Bronwyn and Jake

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we’re going to be discussing UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (clean and affordable energy). But also looking at the power of the atom: Can nuclear save the planet?

So why is this topic relevant now? With global energy demands rising, sustainability and energy are a hot topic at international events like CERAWeek, which is one of the most influential international conferences of the energy sector, and just recently over 10,000 officials and top world leaders discussed the future of energy where the most debated topic in energy was back- is Nuclear Power truly sustainable?

Host: Samuel

Guests: Stefy and Alex

Welcome to the Meliora podcast from the Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton. This episode is part of the Global Sustainability Challenges Module Student Takeover Season where we discuss ‘toxic colonialism’. 

We explore disturbing form of modern exploitation, where wealthy developed nations offload their hazardous waste onto less developed countries. It's cheap, convenient, and out of sight for waste-producing nations, but the consequences for the receiving countries is devastating. 

We’ll explore how toxic colonialism has evolved from historical colonial exploitation; examine shocking case-studies, including recent incidents and discuss the impact on vulnerable communities. 

We’ll also look ahead to futuristic waste disposal proposals such as space burial and sub-sea containment, and whether they hold any merit, or just raise further ethical and environmental dilemmas.

 Host: Luke, 

Guests: Ruby, Peter, and Jamie

In this opening episode of the Meliora Student Takeover Season we’re tackling the California wildfires—with a focus on Los Angeles—and what they reveal about a growing sustainability crisis. With lives, ecosystems, and the future of our planet at stake, wildfires are leaving a trail of devastation across the globe— from loss of life and property to widespread environmental and economic disruption. In regions like Southern California, once-seasonal fires are becoming longer, hotter, and more destructive, threatening lives, wildlife, and vital infrastructure.

This crisis isn’t just a natural hazard—it’s a sustainability emergency. It directly challenges the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 11: to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. LA’s wildfire reality shows how far we still have to go.  These repeated disasters raise urgent questions: how can we prevent future wildfires? And what do they mean for global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Forest Goals and climate resilience?

Host: Jasper

Guests: Alice, Hannah, Meg, and Claudiu

Welcome to the second part of an episode covering our recently published book 'Perspectives and Practices of Education for Sustainable Development: a critical guide for Higher Education Part 1' where the editors Rehema White, Simon Kemp, Liz Price and Jim Longhurst discuss the purpose of the book, where it came from, and an overview of each of the chapters. 

This episode covers chapter 7 'Innovating Assessment for Education for Sustainable Development (Simon Kemp and Rehema White), chapter 8 'Sustainability Research, Teaching and Practice: Towards Transdisciplinary Knowledge Co-Production in Universities (Rehema White, Clare Saunders and Zoe Robinson), chapter 9 'Leadership and Governance for Education for Sustainable Development: Engagement, Strategy and Transformation'  (Jim Longhurst, Zoe Robinson and Liz Price), chapter 10 'Professional Development for All: Enabling Advocates for Education for Sustainable Development' (Patrick Baughan, Liz Price and Jim Longhurst), chapter 11 'Monitoring and Evaluating Education for Sustainable Development: Co-Creating Quality Learning Experiences and Outcomes' (Rehema White, Carolyn Haynes and Georgina Gough), chapter 12 'Graduate Futures: Embodying Education for Sustainable Development' (Simon Kemp) and Chapter 13 "Conclusions: Creating Hope Through Education for Future Generations' (Rehema White).

Episode host: Simon Kemp

Episode guests: Rehema White, Liz Price, Jim Longhurst

Episode editor: Jack Dinham

Engage with us on Instagram, Blue Sky, X: @MelioraPodcast

Welcome to the first part of an episode covering our recently published book 'Perspectives and Practices of Education for Sustainable Development: a critical guide for Higher Education Part 1' where the editors Rehema White, Simon Kemp, Liz Price and Jim Longhurst discuss the purpose of the book, where it came from, and an overview of each of the chapters. 

This episode covers chapter 1 'Introduction: A Book to Co-Create Sustainable Futures'  (Simon Kemp), chapter 2 'Education for Sustainable Development: Definitions, Debates and Design' (Liz Price and Rehema White), chapter 3 'Towards a Sustainable University: People, Purpose and Paradigm Shifts'  (Zoe Robinson, Petra Molthan-Hill and Peter Higgins), chapter 4 'Education for Sustainable Development: From Disciplinary to Transdisciplinary Approaches' (Rehema White and Chris Preist), chapter 5 'Education for Sustainable Development: Curriculum Design, Content and Challenges'  (Georgina Gough and Simon Kemp), and chapter 6 'Critical Pedagogies to Engage Heart, Hand and Head in Education for Sustainable Development' (Rehema White, Liz Price, Kay Hack).

Episode host: Simon Kemp

Episode guests: Rehema White, Liz Price, Jim Longhurst

Episode editor: Libby Kale

Engage with us on Instagram, Blue Sky, X: @MelioraPodcast

We have a real treat for you on this episode of the Meliora Podcast! We recently had the privilege of spending a couple of hours chatting with the truly inspirational Felicity Aston, Polar Explorer - http://www.felicityaston.co.uk. We promise you will be blown away by Felicity's expeditions, the transformative impact she has had on the lives of so many women, her life in Iceland, and her ongoing research based at the University of Southampton.  

Enough words. Stop reading this and listen to Felicity. We promise you won't be disappointed!

Episode Guest: Felicity Aston

Episode Host: Simon Kemp

Producer & Editor: Jack Dinham

Social Media Comms: Hannah Parish

Engage with us @MelioraPodcast on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky