Theatre and drama can be entertainment, but they can also unstick difficult social problems by promoting empathy, encouraging us to see life from different perspectives and nurturing links between people. The latest Louder Than Words looks at how theatre can bring insights, bring people together and unlocks issues.

Theatre writers and creators Professor Liz Kuti and Annecy Lax, from the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre talk to Professor Jules Pretty.

They suggest that telling stories, expressing ideas through performance and watching performances in the theatre, online and on television is in many ways as natural as breathing and an essential part of being human. At the same time theatre and drama offers space to transform people.

Annecy says: “The kind of theatre I work in can have a really transformational effect on people. I’ve been in the room where that has happened and been involved in projects where theatre has had a huge benefit on people’s lives.”

What is the impact of our perception of our own body? How does it impact our wellbeing? How does our understanding of our body differ across cultures and change over time?

Psychology researcher Dr Helge Gilmeister and art historian Dr Matt Lodder join Professor Jules Pretty.

Louder than Words looks at the experience of indigenous people around the world from the reclaiming of cultural identities, activism and the struggle for rights to the challenges indigenous communities still face.

Professor Jules Pretty speaks to Professor Colin Samson and Dr Carlos Gigoux Gramegna from the Department of Sociology plus Dr Julian Burger, Visiting Professor at the Human Rights Centre. He will also be joined by explorer and President of Survival International Robin Hanbury-Tenison.

Professor Samson and Dr Gigoux Gramegna said: "Understanding the relationships between indigenous peoples and their lands has been at the heart of our research. Having worked, visited and lived with indigenous groups in subarctic North America, the Southern Cone of South America, the Asia-Pacific region, and southern Africa the common factor linking the peoples we know, whether they be farmers, hunters or pastoralists is a resilient attachment to the natural environments which they call home."

Research and practice in health and social care needs patients to be meaningfully involved in gathering evidence and making the decisions that impact their lives. This approach improves decision making and delivers better outcomes.

Professor Jules Pretty speaks to Senior Research Officer Tracey Johns, Research Officer Sally Burrows and Professor Peter Beresford from the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex.

As Sally and Tracey say: "Our work is about brokering conversations between everyone who has an interest in health and social care, especially those with the greatest needs and vulnerabilities. We listen to people in the streets, in cafes and in community centres. We listen to people through their trusted intermediaries."

You can read more about their work in their blog at: www.essex.ac.uk/blog 

Peter adds that COVID-19 has not helped patient involvement: "Among the many massive consequences of COVID-19 is its highlighting of the fragility of public and patient involvement in health and social care research. When we most needed the crucial evidence that comes from inclusive involvement, it wasn’t being collected."

Again read more at: www.essex.ac.uk/blog

Baby and child development are the focus of the latest episode of the Louder Than Words Podcast. Professor Jules Pretty looks at the work of the Babylab at the University of Essex, how it helps us understand the development of children and reflects on the impact of nature on children throughout their development.

He speaks to Dr Maria Filippetti and Dr Silvia Rigato from the Department of Psychology and Dr Jo Barton from the School of Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences.

They discuss how babies learn, the importance of fun, the impact of parental attitudes, the value of nature and offer advice and insights to listeners stemming from their research.

Professor Jules Pretty investigates the double crisis facing our seas - the climate crisis and the threat to biodiversity.

He speaks to Dr Michelle Taylor and Dr Natalie Hicks from the School of Life Sciences at Essex and Essex graduate Simon Walmsley, Head of the WWF-UK Marine Programme. He also chats with writer and BBC presenter Tom Heap about his new book 39 Ways to Save the Planet and how we can all take action.

How important is nature to us? How has our relationship with nature changed over time? What does the future hold?

Through the lenses of birds and trees, The Louder Than Words podcast investigates how we talk and feel about the natural world at this time of environmental crisis.

Professor Jules Pretty is joined in conversation by:

Professor Sean Nixon, from the Department of Sociology, writer of Passions for Birds: Science, Sentiment and Sport to be published by McGill-Queen's University Press. The book explores the shifting relations with wild birds within Britain and the wider Atlantic world from the first decades of the twentieth century to the late 1970s.

Dr James Canton, from the Department of Literature Film and Theatre Studies (LiFTS), His most recent book is The Oak Papers, a meditation on the human need for connection with nature which reflects on the relationship with an ancient oak tree.

In the latest episode of the Louder than Words Podcast, Professor Jules Pretty journalist Martha Dixon look at surveillance and the impact on our modern lives.

Academics from the University of Essex explain how they are contributing to the debate; helping people understand their rights and also trying to work alongside innovators to explain the implications of their technology.

Contributors include:

Emmanuelle Andrews - Policy and Campaigns Officer at Liberty

Professor Pete Fussey – Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Dr Daragh Murray – Human Rights Centre and School of Law, University of Essex

In the latest episode of the Louder than Words Podcast, Professor Jules Pretty journalist Martha Dixon look at sustainability – in what we eat – and how we use our land. 

Academics from the University of Essex show us how they’re helping farmers meet our needs while saving the planet. 

Contributors include:

Professor Christine Raines, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex

Archie Ruggles-Brise, Spains Hall Estate, Essex

Dr Tom Cameron, Senior Lecturer, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex

Dr Patricia Lopez, Senior Research Officer, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex

Kenny Brown, Research Technician, Univesity of Essex

How can we better prepare for disasters and how can we improve our response?

Professor Jules Pretty from the University of Essex and journalist Martha Dixon speak to experts from the University of Essex and the organisations at the frontline of disaster response.

Contributors:

Professor Kelum Jayasinghe, Essex Business School, University of Essex

Dr Alex Quiroz Flores, Department of Government, University of Essex

Professor John Preston, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Anoja Seneviratne, Director (Mitigation Research & Development) Disaster Management Centre