Sharing things

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes where the objects are not just starting points, but deeply woven through the lives of our guests. What do you hold close? In the final episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Lily Mellon and Debora Kayembe and talk about making history, uncovering stories and taking time for yourself.

This episode is hosted by Ayanda Ngobeni, who joined us in summer 2021 before starting her final year as a law student.

Lily is currently completing her research Master’s in Scottish Ethnology, Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University, after graduating with an MA in Scottish Ethnology in 2020. Alongside her studies, Lily is exploring Student Records for Underrepresented Student Narrative as the University Histories Archives Intern. You can listen to Lily on the monthly webinar ‘Meet the…Series’ (a live interview and Q&A session) as part of the VOiCE podcast – We’ve Got History Between Us.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Debora is the University’s 54th Rector. Debora is a human rights lawyer and is passionate about advocating against issues such as racism, inequality, children in need, domestic violence and child abuse. From 2013 – 2016, Debora served as Scottish Refugee Council Board member and in 2017 founded the charity Full Options, promoting human rights and peace. In 2019, she became the first African to have her portrait erected at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Later in 2020, Debora launched the Freedom Walk campaign, which aims to lobby and campaign on behalf of citizens by promoting social reforms, racial justice and community harmony.

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. We are still online but 2021 was starting to feel a bit okay.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set. 

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes where the objects are not just starting points, but deeply woven through the lives of our guests. What do you hold close? In the fourth episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Dea Birkett and Alex Lewthwaite and talk about running back to the circus, performing and seeing the potential in everything. 

This episode is hosted by Kate Stewart, a member of the alumni relations team who took the hot seat in early 2021. 

Dea is a former circus performer and current Ringmaster of Circus250, established in 2018 to celebrate and showcase circus to new audiences. Alongside her work in Circus250, Dea is also Creative Director of Many Rivers Films and former Director of Kids in Museums, a charity dedicated to making museums more inclusive of families.

At the time of recording Alex was a 2nd year student at the University studying Medicine. He had just completed a group project which involved blogging (and vlogging) about life as a medical student during the pandemic. 

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected. 

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. We are still online but 2021 was starting to feel a bit okay.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes where the objects are not just starting points, but deeply woven through the lives of our guests. What do you hold close? In the third episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Rosie Taylor and Melanie Reid and talk about poetry, animals, empowerment and hardship.

This episode is hosted by Amalie Sortland, who joined us un the summer of 2019 and stayed until March 2020. She graduated in politics as part of the class of Covid in 2020.

Rosie Taylor is the incoming LGBT+ Officer for the 2019/2020 academic year. She was motivated to run because she wanted to remove barriers for students to feel safe and comfortable as part of the university community. She also wanted to be the representation she wished she had when she was feeling disillusioned and confused about her sexuality. Along with her activism, she is also about to start the third year of her Biological Sciences degree.

One day Melanie Reid’s life imploded. She had it all – outdoorsy, career orientated, a journalist and editor in her best years, walking the mountains of Scotland near her home and skiing in the Alps. Then, in a dramatic twist of fate, she fell off her horse in 2010 and broke her neck. The accident has left her paralysed from the neck down, although she has partial use of her arms. She is described as "outwardly bright and breezy, but with more than a hint of vulnerability". She graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1980 with a MA Hons English Language and Literature. Before the accident, Melanie was an award-winning columnist at The Herald in Glasgow before reporting and commentating for The Times from Scotland and then on the Comment pages. After the accident, she has continued to write - The Spinal Column appears in the Times Magazine every week. 

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded before the Covid thing.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes where the objects are not just starting points, but deeply woven through the lives of our guests. What do you hold close? In the second episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Helen Bond and Daniel Mutia and talk about gifts that mean something, the concept of home and being out there. 

This episode is hosted by Richenda Rae, who joined us in the summer of 2020. After her summer with us she returned to her final year of medical school. 

Helen is Professor of Christian Origins and Head of the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. Her published works include 'Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation' (1998), 'Caiaphas: High Priest and Friend of Rome?' (2004), and more recently, 'The First Biography of Jesus: Genre and Meaning in Mark's Gospel' (2020). She has acted as historical consultant and contributor for a number of television programmes and presented 'Jesus’ Female disciples: the New Evidence' for Channel 4 (2018).  

Daniel is an Electronics and Electrical Engineering student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh. He is the Vice President Inclusion at Edinburgh University Sports Union for 2020/21, having previously served as International Participation Officer in 2019/20. He was named as one of the Queen's Young Leaders of 2018 for his efforts towards fighting for education and equal opportunities for young people. 

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes where the objects are not just starting points, but deeply woven through the lives of our guests. What do you hold close? In our first episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Lori Watson and Russell Jones and talk about fringe coping strategies, pretty dogs, sci-fi nights, creative juices, video games and fish funerals.

This episode is hosted by Amalie Sortland, who joined us un the summer of 2019 and stayed until March 2020. She graduated in politics as part of the class of Covid in 2020.

Lori Watson is the first Doctor of Artistic Research in Scottish Music, and an authority on contemporary traditional music practice in Scotland. Drawing on her strong roots in the rich creative tradition of the Scottish Borders, she has become a leading interpreter of Scottish folk music and Scots song and her skills as a performer, composer, researcher and educator are widely recognised.

Russell Jones is an Edinburgh-based writer and editor. He is the UK’s Pet Poet Laureate, has published five collections of poetry and is deputy editor of 'Shoreline of Infinity', a science fiction magazine. Russell  is also the editor of 'Where Rockets Burn Through: Contemporary Science Fiction Poems from the UK' (Penned in the Margins), co-editor of 'Umbrellas of Edinburgh: Poetry and Prose Inspired by Scotland’s Capital City' (Freight Books) and 'Multiverse: an international anthology of science fiction poetry' (Shoreline of Infinity). Russell writes novels, short stories for children, and has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. 

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded before the Covid thing.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes that explore transformation, self-discovery and change. Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the fifth and final episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between David Weinczok and Caroline Norton who talk about escaping in nature, imposter syndrome and finding treasure (everywhere). 

The episode is hosted by Ayanda Ngobeni, who joined us in summer 2021 before starting her final year as a law student.

Originally from Canada, David (‘The Castle Hunter’), graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 with a Master’s in International Relations. David is passionate about promoting Scotland’s rich history and currently works as a Digital Media Content Producer at National Museums Scotland. Alongside this, David is also an author (The History Behind Game of Thrones: The North Remembers, 2019), presenter, broadcaster and heritage consultant.

Caroline is a final year student in International Law and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh. During her studies, Caroline was the External Relations Manager and Team Mentor at FreshSight Ltd., as well as the Lead Consultant of a project.

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. We are still online but 2021 was starting to feel a bit okay.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set. 

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes that explore transformation, self-discovery and change. Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the fourth episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Neil Forsyth and Nausherwan Aziz who talk about writing for yourself, confidence and establishing a national football team.

This episode is hosted by Kate Stewart, a member of the alumni relations team who took the hot seat in early 2021.

Neil is an author, television writer and journalist originally from Dundee. He is known for creating the sitcom character Bob Servant, as well as being the writer and creator of BBC drama, Guilt (2019). He has won a Royal Television Society Award and a Scottish BAFTA, and been nominated for a Writers Guild Award and an International Emmy.

Nausherwan (Naush) is an MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation student at the University of Edinburgh. Originally from Pakistan, he moved to Edinburgh after studying for his undergraduate degree in Turkey.

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. We are still online but 2021 was starting to feel a bit okay.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes that explore transformation, self-discovery and change. Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the third episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between George McGavin and Tammy Piper who talk about grasping opportunity, science communication and all the small things.

The episode is hosted by Ayanda Ngobeni, who joined us in summer 2021 before starting her final year as a law student.

George is an entomologist, author, academic, television presenter and explorer. His academic appointments include an Honorary Research Associate position at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and a Research Associate role at The Department of Zoology of Oxford University. His research has taken him from the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea to the caves of Thailand and from the jungles of Belize to the savannas of Tanzania. George studied Zoology at Edinburgh University before completing a doctorate at the British Museum of Natural History and Imperial College, London.

Tammy is the Tissue Bank Manager for the MRC Institute for Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh. Her role involves managing a busy tissue bank archiving tumour samples from patients in large phase III breast cancer clinical trials. Tammy studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, the Welsh Cyology Training School, and the University of West of England, Bristol and worked at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport before joining the University of Edinburgh.

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. We are still online but 2021 was starting to feel a bit okay.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes that explore transformation, self-discovery and change. Where are you now and where do you want to be? In our the second episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Niamh Martin-McGarrigle and Hollie Davidson who talk about social media trolls, changing paths and finding confidence in yourself. 

This episode is hosted by Amalie Sortland, who joined us un the summer of 2019 and stayed until March 2020. She graduated in politics as part of the class of Covid in 2020. 

Niamh is a second-year French and Linguistics student at the University of Edinburgh. She is also the Projects Manager at FreshSight, a student-led consultancy that aims to create positive social impact through the provision of practical, sustainable and innovative business solutions. 

Hollie is Scottish Rugby’s first contracted female referee. She had played for Scotland U20 but after a shoulder injury, she hung up her playing boots and picked up the whistle instead. 

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2014 in Economic History, Hollie worked in finance for two years. She has refereed in a number of major tournaments including the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup Sevens, and the 2019 Women’s Six Nations Championship.

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast

This episode of Sharing things was recorded before the Covid thing.

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set. 

Welcome to a dive into the Sharing things archive and a selection of 5 episodes that explore transformation, self-discovery and change. Where are you now and where do you want to be? In our first episode of this collection we revisit the conversation between Doug Johnstone and Nikki Moran who discuss paradiddles and flams, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and weird left turns. 

This episode is hosted by Richenda Rae, who joined us in the summer of 2020. After her summer with us she returned to her final year of medical school. 

Doug is a Scottish crime writer, musician and journalist based in Edinburgh. He spent four years designing radar and missile guidance systems for planes and helicopters, before deciding to pursue his ambition of becoming a writer. After taking a diploma in journalism, he now writes and reviews for a number of newspapers and magazines, primarily covering music and literature.  His twelfth novel, 'The Big Chill', was published by Orenda Books in August 2020. His previous novel, 'A Dark Matter', was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year.  

Nikki is Senior Lecturer in Music at Edinburgh College of Art. She joined the University of Edinburgh in 2007 after receiving her Master’s degree from Cambridge and her PhD from the Open University. During her undergrad, Nikki studied classical viola and North Indian sitar performance. Much of Nikki's research focusses on the cognition of music performance, stemming from her fascination between musical performance and social interaction. She is the presenting lecturer and co-author of the free online course ‘Fundamentals of Music Theory’.   

Each episode of Sharing things is a conversation between two members of our university community. It could be a student, a member of staff or a graduate, the only thing they have in common at the beginning is Edinburgh. We start with an object. A special, treasured or significant item that we have asked each guest to bring to the conversation. What happens next is sometimes funny, sometimes moving and always unexpected.

Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/sharing-things-podcast 

This episode of Sharing things was recorded during the Covid thing. 

Images designed by Chris Behr. They are part of his Nice Things icon set.