Green Hydrogen could play a significant role in the global effort to decarbonise with researchers from the University of Newcastle leading the charge in the production and manufacturing of the captivating chemical. But what is hydrogen and how can it be green? Dr Jessica Allen, senior lecturer in chemical engineering, de-mystifies the nexus between hydrogen and energy production and we also meet one of the minds making Green Hydrogen possible, Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi. Renewable energy engineering student Jess shares how she’s forging new ground in energy research, and Dr Rohan Stanger investigates an alternate role that coal could play in energy storage.

To read more about this story and others just like it, head to newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus

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High-contact sports like rugby league are synonymous with conversations around physical safety and concussion. Someone who knows that all too well is Timana Tahu, a Barkindji man, NRL legend and Senior Manager of Elite Indigenous Pathways. Timana has spent years trialing safer tackling techniques on the field, and now, with the help of neuropsychologist Dr Andrew Gardener at the University of Newcastle his techniques are being scientifically validated. Hear about Timana’s personal journey with concussions coming up through the grassroots to elite levels, and meet Kalan, a young soccer star who recently experienced a head knock himself. We also meet Chad, Kalan’s dad, who talks about the importance of safe sports for young athletes.

To read more about this story and others just like it, head to newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus

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Starting kindergarten without the skills to be able to speak clearly is a reality many children face. Waitlists as long as two years to see a speech pathologist disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.  It’s an issue the University of Newcastle, the Gunawirra Organisation, Scribbly Gum Dalai and Dalaigur preschools, and the Vonwiller Foundation are working hard to address with the establishment of a new community-centred program led by students. Hear from Mum, Taylor about how her daughter learnt to sing, and Jane, a speech pathology graduate with a passion for working with children. We also meet Graham, CEO of Gunawirra who shares the importance of speech in preserving culture.

To read more about this story and others just like it, head to newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus

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For children diagnosed with diabetes, adjusting to frequent painful finger-pricks can be mentally and physically draining. But thanks to breakthrough technology from the University of Newcastle, diabetics worldwide may soon be able to swap the needle for a pain-free saliva-based test which could be printed from the comfort of your very own home one day. Host Shahni Wellington sits down with mum Teresa who discusses the impact of a diabetes diagnosis on a young child and family, and we meet her daughter Gabrielle who just wants to be ‘normal’. The mind behind the innovation, Professor Paul Dastoor, joins us to discuss the unusual beginnings of the discovery and the potential future applications which could change the way people manage diabetes forever.

To read more about this story and others just like it, head to newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus

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Removing needles from the diabetes testing process, research that could change the travel industry forever, these are just some of the breakthroughs that you’ll hear about in this podcast designed to stimulate your mind. Meet the people that are pioneering change through research and join host Shahni Wellington, in partnership with The University of Newcastle, as she explores the stories of online publication Hippocampus.

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