Street art strays far away from traditional art in a number of ways. However, its recent recognition as an art form leaves us wondering what is it that makes art art? What are the roles of art? And how does the valuation of art function? What, exactly differentiates vandalism from street art? 

In this episode of OxPods, Philosophy and French student Ines Ghalia interviews Dr Macs Smith, Fellow in French at The Queen’s College and author of Paris and the Parasite to learn about the transgressive and complex nature of Street Art. 

When infectious diseases sweep through human populations, they can often bring detrimental effects to the health and functioning of society. But why do the pathogens that underpin these diseases require human hosts? Why do they cause illness? And importantly, can we predict how they will spread through populations?

In this episode of OxPods, biology PhD student Joe Woodman will be interviewing Professor Sunetra Gupta, a theoretical epidemiologist who uses mathematical models to determine the evolution, diversity and spread of pathogens.

Have you ever wondered about the origin of Romance? Maybe your mind turns to Austen and Bronte? Really it's lineage is far longer, spreading back to the High Middle Ages and stories of King Arthur and Sir Gawain. 

In this episode, Ursula White, a second year English Student at Somerville College, discusses the varied and fascinating world of Medieval Romance with Professor Laura Ashe, a renowned scholar of Medieval literature, history and culture, and frequent guest on the BBC Podcast in Our Time.

In the 6th century BCE, coins were first minted in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Despite over 2500 years of human history, coins have continued to be a part of everyday life. Why were they invented? Why were they so successful? And what role has coinage played in the development of human history? 

In this episode, Alice Hazell, a Classical Archaeology and Ancient History student at Lady Margaret Hall speaks to Dr. Volker Heuchert, research lecturer in Greek coinage and the curator of Greek and Roman provincial coins at the Ashmolean Museum, to learn about the invention of coins and its impact on the world.

Obesity and increasing rates of overweight pose a growing issue in global health today. Why are more people gaining more weight, when its health burden seems so clear? 

Miya McFarlane, a Human Sciences undergraduate at Regent’s Park College, discusses the social and cultural roots of obesity with Professor Stanley Ulijasek, a professor of human ecology whose two strands of research are Nutritional anthropology and Obesity. He is also currently the Director for the Unit of Biocultural Variation and Obesity.  (edited)

Marriage is an evolving concept: legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was only passed in the United Kingdom 2013 and took effect in 2014. It’s evolving nature prompts some important questions: what is the point of marriage? Is marriage as an economic contract compatible with the instability of a romantic relationship? How long will marriage as an institution survive?

In answering these questions, this episode of OxPods will look into the role of marriage in society, the nature of love and commitment, and the ethical and political implications of marriage as one of the most fundamental human relationships. Sophia Herbert, a PPE student at New College, will be interviewing Dr Scot Peterson, author of 'Legally Married: Love and Law in the UK and the US', a Politics Lecturer at Corpus Christi College, who's research on the constitutional history of the UK and US has focused particularly on matters arising from the relationship between the church and state.

The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms living inside a host. But why are they there? What benefits can these microbes provide to their hosts? And could they enable their hosts to colonise new niches?

Alex Rodway, biology master’s student at Jesus College, will be discussing these questions with Dr Sarah Knowles, Associate Professor of Ecosystem Biology and Tutorial Fellow of Keble College, whose research focusses on the mammalian microbiome.

Have you ever heard the term ‘women’s writing’ and wondered what it actually means - writing by women, writing for women, writing about women? While this term is increasingly prevalent in both popular culture and literary studies, it is difficult to define and has sparked much critical debate in recent years. 

Flora Symington, English student at Somerville College, discusses this with Lorna Hutson, Professor of English Literature at Merton College and an expert on Early Modern literature, who’s recent lecture series here at Oxford asked this very question.

Industrialisation in the 19th century prompted a ‘chromo revolution’, as the development of new artificially-produced paints provided new ways to experience and depict colour. Paul Gauguin used this colour development in new ways to visualise (and stereotype) the French colonial landscape. Born in 1848, Gauguin has been the subject of public interest and controversy since the late 20th century, as the focus of several blockbuster exhibitions. Gauguin’s time in Tahiti is notorious, but less well known is the period he spent in Martinique, then a French colony, which he visited in 1887.

Mia Thwaites, a history finalist at St John’s College, will be interviewing DPhil student Helena Erikstrup to explore Gauguin’s artwork in Martinique alongside wider themes of empire, histories of connection, and European-Caribbean visual culture.