Despite mine closures and talk of phasing out, global coal usage is at an all-time high, with countries like the UK still importing coal for key industries. Dr Andrew Seaton, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how coal never truly disappeared but evolved in form and influence. From Britain's re-importation of coal to global surges in consumption, Dr Seaton challenges the idea of a clean energy transition, and uncovers coal’s deep ties to industry, health, inequality, and the climate. 

Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Andrew Seaton
Producer:  Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)