Oxford Brookes Unscripted

What if society does not have to be organised in the way it is now? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Associate Professor Neal Harris reflects on five years of the Alternative Societies Network, an interdisciplinary community exploring different ways of organising economies, workplaces, communities and political life. The network brings together researchers, practitioners and international speakers to explore co-operatives, mutual aid groups, universal basic income, degrowth, inclusive organisations and new approaches to care, democracy and work. Neal discusses how the network developed organically at Oxford Brookes, why real-world co-operatives often look very different from the theories written about them, and what researchers can learn by listening to the people involved. He also explores the value, and challenges, of interdisciplinary collaboration, and asks how artificial intelligence might reshape alternative forms of organisation in the years ahead. At the heart of the conversation is a hopeful idea: alternatives are not confined to textbooks. They already exist in communities and organisations around us.

What does it really mean for tennis to be fair? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Dr Rocco Porreca, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Oxford Brookes University, explores the ethical challenges facing modern tennis. Drawing on his experience in the sports industry and his forthcoming book, The Ethics of Tennis, Rocco examines equal pay, sponsorship, governance, match-fixing, doping, accessibility and environmental sustainability. From the high costs of developing a professional player to the short lifespan of tennis balls and the carbon footprint of global tournament travel, this conversation looks beyond the spectacle of elite sport to ask who benefits, who is excluded and who gets to make the rules. Rocco also considers whether tennis can grow while preserving its values, and whether a truly ethical model of professional tennis is possible.

Most women recovering from hormone receptor-positive breast cancer are prescribed daily hormone therapy for five to ten years, but side effects, uncertainty and lack of support can make it difficult to stay on treatment. Hormone therapy significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer returning and thus finding ways to support women to continue with treatment is important. In this episode, Professor Eila Watson and Dr Lucy McGeagh discuss the SWEET programme, an innovative research project developing, trialling, evaluating and potentially implementing HT&Me: a personalised support package combining digital tools, practical advice and one-to-one consultations. Co-designed with patients, the programme aims to help women understand how hormone therapy works and why it is important to take, to manage side effects and provide other support to help them take the medication as prescribed and thus reduce the risk of their cancer returning and hopefully also improve quality of life. Discover how technology, psychology and patient experience are coming together to transform supportive cancer care. This research is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under the Programme Grants for Applied Research programme (NIHR200098). The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Please note that recruitment for this project has now concluded. Read more about this work here: doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2023.05.007 doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2025.103026 doi:10.1186/s13063-025-09056-6 https://www.sweetstudy.co.uk/

When we think about modern warfare, we often picture drones, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology. But behind every mission is a person whose physical fitness, mental resilience and decision-making can mean the difference between success and failure. In this episode, Dr Peter Wright explores the science of human performance and explains why soldiers are better thought of as "tactical athletes", people who must combine strength, endurance, resilience and cognitive performance in some of the world's most demanding environments. From sleep and nutrition to wearable technology and the future of military research, discover why looking after the human behind the mission isn't just important for soldiers, it contains lessons that can help all of us perform at our best.

What if the most important lessons about climate change and sustainability didn’t come from universities, but from the communities living closest to nature? In this episode, Dr Carolina Redolfi discusses an innovative collaboration between Oxford Brookes University, Goldsmiths, University of London and Unviersidade Federal de Rondonia in Brazil that is working with traditional and Indigenous communities in the Amazon. Rather than exporting education, the project focuses on listening, co-creating and empowering local people to share their own stories through digital communication. Discover why local knowledge matters, how global partnerships can become more equal, and what universities can learn when they stop assuming they have all the answers.

Veterinary professionals dedicate their careers to caring for animals, but who supports them when the pressures of the job become overwhelming? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Olivia Cormier, a veterinary surgeon turned psychology PhD researcher, about her work exploring alcohol use, mental health and stigma within the UK veterinary profession. Olivia discusses the realities of modern veterinary practice and draws on her recent studies to talk about the role alcohol can play in coping with stress, and why seeking help can feel so difficult in this population. The conversation explores the hidden challenges facing veterinary teams, the impact of workplace drinking culture, and how research could help veterinary professionals access alcohol-related support in the future. This is an honest and thought-provoking discussion about wellbeing, stigma and the importance of ensuring those who care for others receive the support they need themselves.

Corporate governance might sound technical, but it shapes everyday decisions — from the products we buy to the prices we pay. In this episode, Dr Samira Issa explores why stakeholder engagement is at the heart of better decision-making. Drawing on her PhD research at Oxford Brookes University, she shares how companies can move beyond “tick-box” governance to meaningful engagement, and how her practical stakeholder engagement handbook is helping turn complex principles into real-world action.

Menopause is a natural part of life - but for many women, it can bring physical, emotional, and social challenges that are still rarely talked about openly. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Dr Anne Delextrat and Dr Adam Bibbey about their research exploring how exercise can support women through menopause - not just physically, but mentally and socially too. From Zumba Gold classes in local communities to innovative workplace-based exercise programmes, they share findings from studies that show improvements in strength, energy, mental wellbeing, motivation, and social connection - particularly for women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The conversation explores why community, enjoyment, and feeling safe and supported matter just as much as the exercise itself, how workplaces can play a powerful role in wellbeing, and why it’s never too late to start moving - even if exercise feels daunting. Whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how research can improve everyday lives, this episode offers insight, reassurance, and plenty of inspiration.

In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Dr Rebecca Beech takes us inside the world of circular fashion — and why the future of what we wear may depend on renting, repairing and rethinking our relationship with clothes. Drawing on her United Nations PRME research, cross-UK interviews, and comparative analysis of four rental fashion start-ups, Rebecca explores the motivations and barriers behind renting, the role of trust, and how stigma around sustainable choices still shapes everyday behaviour. We discuss the rise of flexible rental subscriptions, how technology like virtual try-on tools could close experience gaps, and why belonging, community and education are crucial to shifting mindsets. From microplastics to mending workshops, policy gaps to AI chatbots, this episode asks: What would a truly circular, sustainable wardrobe look like — and how close are we to getting there?

Construction is changing - and so is how we learn from it. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Morgan Sindall Construction and Oxford Brookes University discuss how their partnership is inspiring young people, empowering students, and embedding social value and sustainability into the heart of the construction industry. Featuring voices from Morgan Sindall’s team, Brookes students on placement, and those leading social value initiatives, this episode explores how industry and academia can collaborate to create real impact - building skills, confidence, and opportunities for everyone, and showing that there’s a place for all in construction.