Sharing things

In this episode, guests Peter Mathieson and Christine De Luca talk about early memories, unexpected generosity and maritime connections. Christine also treats us to a poem in English and Shetlandic.

Peter joined the University of Edinburgh as Principal and Vice-Chancellor in February 2018, having led the University of Hong Kong for several years.

Educated at a state grammar school in Penzance, Peter was the first in his family to go to university. He studied medicine at the London Hospital Medical College before gaining a PhD from the University of Cambridge. After moving to Bristol in 1995, he held several positions at the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust over the years, culminating in his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in 2008.

Christine is a Scottish poet and novelist from Shetland. She has lived in Edinburgh since the 1960s and served as the city’s Makar (poet laureate) between 2014 and 2017.

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1969 with an MA in Geography, Christine entered the teaching profession before returning to undertake an MEd in Educational Research. She later worked at the Scottish Examination Board, specialising in assessment research and development. Since retiring, Christine has been able to devote more time to writing poetry, both in English and Shetland dialect (a blend of Old Scots with much Norse influence). 

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

All episodes of season two of Sharing things were recorded before the 23 March 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown in the UK).

In this episode, guests Shy Zvouloun and Jamie Crawford talk about crossing borders, revisiting the past, comic book inspiration and more.

Shy is a law student at the University going into her third year. When Shy’s not completing coursework, she enjoys engaging with law beyond the classroom. She is a legal researcher at the Edinburgh International Justice Initiative, where she works as part of a fabulous team to provide pro-bono legal research assistance in the field of international criminal law.

Jamie is a writer, publisher and broadcaster. He chairs the board of Publishing Scotland and was appointed the first Scottish Ambassador for the Archive and Record Association’s ‘Explore Your Archives’ campaign in 2019. Jamie wrote and presented ‘Scotland from the Sky’, a BBC Scotland documentary series which explores the history of Scotland’s landscapes through aerial photography. It was nominated for the ‘Best Documentary Specialist Factual: History’ at the 2019 Royal Television Society Scotland Awards.

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

All episodes of season two of Sharing things were recorded before the 23 March 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown in the UK).

In this episode, guests Ellen Blunsdon and Rachel Weiss talk about dying and not dying, familial love, ketchup splatters and more.

Ellen is a fourth-year history and politics student and the Disabled Students’ Officer 2019/20 at Edinburgh University Students’ Association. In this role, she has campaigned for the inclusion of disability on the curriculum and created an online resource hub for disabled students. In her spare time, she oversees Europe’s oldest student newspaper as president of The Student.

Rachel describes herself as a perimenopausal, park-running partner at Rowan Consultancy and parent of three. After graduating from Edinburgh with an MSc in Knowledge Based Systems in 1990, she trained as a teacher and gained a Diploma in Counselling, leading to the creation of her business offering counselling, coaching, workplace mediation and leadership training.

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

All episodes of season two of Sharing things were recorded before the 23 March 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown in the UK).

In this episode, guests Max Sanderson and Melissa Terras talk about sexy science, flea market mysteries, early internet nostalgia and more.

Max is the lead audio producer for the Guardian where he produces the ‘Science Weekly’ podcast, among other standalone projects and podcast series. His media work has also featured on the Guardian Music Blog, BBC World Service Radio, BBC Radio 4 and live at the TEDMED Conference in the US.

Melissa is Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage here at the University of Edinburgh. As well as leading digital aspects of research within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, she heads up the Edinburgh Centre for Data, Culture and Society and directs research at Edinburgh Futures Institute.

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

All episodes of season two of Sharing things were recorded before the 23 March 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown in the UK).

To prepare for the launch of season two on Thursday 9 April 2020 we have gathered together everyone from season one in a bumper special edition of Sharing things. If you haven’t listened before, this assortment of conversational gems is a great way to welcome 20 new people into your life. If you are already a subscriber, then what better way to limber up for season two.

Just in case voice recognition isn’t your thing; our season one assortment features (in order) - Martha Greenbank and Julia Calvert, Rosie Taylor and Melanie Reid, Anne Miller and Hadrien Espiard, Beth Fellows and Catherine Wilson, Beth Christie and Udita Banerjee, Ross Nixon and Catherine Rayner, Geoff Palmer and David Gray, Lori Watson and Russell Jones, Srishti Chaudhary and Abrisham Ahmadzadeh, and Prince Chakanyuka and Kezia Dugdale.

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

Settle yourself down with a mince pie and a mug of mulled wine because we have got a couple of University of Edinburgh folk together for a festive treat. In this seasonal special of Sharing things, Ross Nixon and Catherine Rayner talk all things Christmas, pets and favourite festive tunes.

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

A two minute taster of Sharing things, a new podcast from the University of Edinburgh. Subscribe now and get to know our community a little bit better.

In this episode, Beth Fellows and Catherine Wilson talk about winning, empowerment, challenges and more.

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

In this episode, Martha Greenbank and Julia Calvert talk about patchwork quilts, maple syrup feuds, horror movies, spoilers and more.

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

In this episode, Geoff Palmer and David Gray talk about Scottish-Caribbean relations and slavery, beer and a changing 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