Oxford Brookes Unscripted

How did the pandemic change the landscape of maternal healthcare? Senior Lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes, Dr Antonia Mackay, explores the digitisation of maternal healthcare during COVID-19, revealing the challenges, unintended consequences, and lasting impact of shifting essential care to virtual platforms. From the increased role of surveillance in maternity services to the isolation felt by new mothers, Antonia discusses her research, personal experiences, and how a groundbreaking theatrical production brought these hidden stories to life. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on technology, motherhood, and the future of maternal care. You can explore Antonia’s wider work on her staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/antonia-mackay You can also see reviews for Antonia’s play, Three M’others, here: https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/academic/health-care/sheila-kitzinger-programme/sheila-kitzinger-2023-24-programme-projects/motherhood-during-covid-a-play-with-qa-panel/

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr Jason Danely, a reader in Anthropology of Japan at Oxford Brookes, shares his ethnographic research on the lives of elderly individuals affected by Japan’s prison system. From stories of social isolation and repeat incarceration to the transformative work of community organisations, Jason highlights the challenges of reintegration and the urgent need for a more compassionate approach to justice. Tune in to discover how aging, care, and societal structures intersect in unexpected ways. You can find out more about Jason’s wider work on his staff profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jason-danely

Join us as we delve into the world of entrepreneurial wellbeing with Dr Jeremy Zwiegelaar, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Business at Oxford Brookes University. Explore the intricate balance between personal fulfillment and business success, and discover how strategies for wellbeing can empower small business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive. From navigating challenges faced by gender and immigrant entrepreneurs to understanding the role of societal impact, this episode sheds light on how wellbeing is a cornerstone of sustainable entrepreneurship. You can discover more about Jeremy’s wider work on his staff profile page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jeremy-zwiegelaar

In this episode, we delve into the findings of Melanie Diggle’s near-completed PhD research on bereaved caregivers' experiences with end-of-life care for individuals with advanced heart failure. We'll discuss the background, research methodology, key findings, and the implications for future practice and research. Join us for an insightful conversation on enhancing end-of-life care and supporting caregivers during these critical times. You can find out more about Melanie’s work on her student profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/student/melanie-diggle

We sit down with Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Oxford Brookes, Dr Ethel Burns, to discuss her pioneering research on water immersion during labor and birth. Ethel shares her insights into how water birth can significantly enhance the childbirth experience, offering clear benefits such as reduced medical interventions and increased maternal satisfaction. Join us as we explore the evidence behind water birth's positive impact on both mothers and newborns. Ethel also discusses the practicalities of implementing water birth practices in various healthcare settings and addresses common misconceptions. Whether you're a healthcare professional, an expectant parent, or simply interested in innovative maternity care, this episode provides valuable perspectives on how water birth can transform the experience of giving birth. You can explore Ethels wider research on her staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/ethel-burns

Join us as we discuss the pioneering work of Ka Yan Hess, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, and Dr Tanya Rihtman, Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Programme Lead, both in the Department of Sport Health Sciences and Occupational Thepary at Oxford Brookes, on integrating environmental reasoning and sustainability into occupational therapy education. This episode delves into their recent paper, exploring practical applications and the importance of planetary health in therapy practices. Discover how theory is being transformed into impactful practice for a sustainable future in healthcare. You can explore Ka Yan’s and Tanya’s wider word on their staff profiles: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/ka-yan-k-hess https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/tanya-rihtman

Oxford Brookes Senior Lecturer in Child Development and Special Educational Needs/ Inclusion, Dr Jon Reid explores the critical issues affecting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, focusing on vulnerability, marginalisation, and the alarming rise in school exclusions. We also discuss the often overlooked emotional labor of teachers, their wellbeing, and the support they receive. Jon helps us to appreciate the significant emotional demands on teachers, the varying levels of support across schools, and the powerful role of compassion in education. You can find out more about Jon’s wider work on his staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jonathan-reid Correction: Associate Professor James Kirby is actually from Australia, rather than America.

Dr Zoe Jordan, Senior Lecture in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes, and Dr Cathrine Talleraas, Senior Researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute talk with us about the intricate relationship between European migration policies and their impact on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our discussion centers on the paradox of EU efforts to reduce migration flows and increase returns, while migration is a crucial driver of economic development in these regions. Join us as we explore the findings of the ""Effects of Externalisation"" project, focusing on the experiences of Jordan and Ghana. We'll unpack how EU migration management strategies have influenced local policies and practices, and how these countries are navigating and adapting to these external pressures. Zoe and Cathrine share insights into the incentives, challenges, and broader consequences of these policies, and compare the unique impacts in Jordan and Ghana. Tune in to understand the complex dynamics of international migration management and its real-world effects on migrants and the countries they leave behind.Find out more about Zoe’s and Cathrine’s work by visiting their staff profiles: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/zoe-jordan, https://www.cmi.no/staff/cathrine-talleraas

In this episode we explore the profound impact of digitisation, stemming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, on executive coaching and the coaching industry. Dr Brajesh Bajpai, who is an accomplished executive coach discusses with us the broader impact of digitalisation on organiations and their leaders as well as the crucial role of executive coaches in guiding leaders through digital transformations. To discover more about today's talk and Brajesh’s wider research interests, you can visit Coaching in the Digital Age: Exploring Digitalisation's Impact on Executive Coaching: A Theoretical Framework and Proposed Agenda Shift | openEQUELLA (brookes.ac.uk) for Brajesh’s recently published paper in International Journal of Evidence-Based Coaching and Mentoring, or find his full doctoral thesis at Bajpai2023CoachingDigitalAge.pdf (brookes.ac.uk). His work can also be found in the recently published The Digital and AI Caoach’s Handbook in the form of a co-authored chapter on One-to-One Digital Coaching One-to-one digital coaching | 31 | The Digital and AI Coaches' Handbook (taylorfrancis.com).

Oxford Brookes Research Fellow and Social Historian, Dr Annie Skinner takes us on a journey through time to explore the history of stigmatisation of children in care and outlines the landscape of today. Annie's research focuses on identifying the hidden and unheard perspectives of the children themselves and liberates the silent voices behind these social histories.