This podcast series from the Public Engagement Network (PEN) at Oxford Brookes University is a platform for academics, across all faculties, to informally share, discuss and contemplate their research with the wider community
Dr Giulia Rossetti is a Lecturer in Events Management in the Business School, Oxford Brookes University. She teaches modules related to events, festivals, and marketing at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. Giulia's areas of expertise are: understanding festival and event experiences using cultural sociology and serious leisure theories; festival socio-cultural impacts; and the educational value of festivals and events. Her PhD at the Technological University Dublin explored cultural capital development at literary festivals in Ireland and in Italy (URL: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/tourdoc/32/).
In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Dr Syahirah Abdul Rahman (Shera), Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, explores the transformative potential of commercialising SHAPE research - Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts for People and the Economy. She challenges misconceptions around commercialisation, explaining how it’s not just about profit but about creating sustainable, real-world impact. We discuss how SHAPE and STEM can work together, why a cultural shift in academia is needed, and how universities can support researchers in turning knowledge into practical solutions. With inspiring examples of successful SHAPE ventures, this episode highlights commercialisation as a powerful vehicle for research impact and long-term societal change. You can explore Shera’s wider research by visiting her staff profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/syahirah-abdul-rahman https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mark-mann-aa83467_tto-shape-socialenterprise-activity-7289677022618943489-UWKN?utm_…
Dr Zoë Jordan, Senior Lecture in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes, and Dr Cathrine Talleraas, Senior Researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute talk with us about the intricate relationship between European migration policies and their impact on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our discussion centers on the paradox of EU efforts to reduce migration flows and increase returns, while migration is a crucial driver of economic development in these regions. Join us as we explore the findings of the ""Effects of Externalisation"" project, focusing on the experiences of Jordan and Ghana. We'll unpack how EU migration management strategies have influenced local policies and practices, and how these countries are navigating and adapting to these external pressures. Zoe and Cathrine share insights into the incentives, challenges, and broader consequences of these policies, and compare the unique impacts in Jordan and Ghana. Tune in to understand the compl…
Who really pays for policing football matches? In this episode, Oxford Brookes Lecturer in Criminology, Dr Rich Hester explores the complex world of special police services, cost recovery, and the ongoing tensions between football clubs and law enforcement. From high-risk fixtures to legal battles over policing costs, we dive into the challenges of keeping the game safe—and who should foot the bill. You can explore Rich’s wonder work on his staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/Richard-Hester
Oxford Brookes Research Area Lead and Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Dr Sarah-Louise Mitchell discusses her paper: Refocusing marketing effort to support net-positive social impact. How can marketing go beyond profit to drive real social change? In this episode, Sarah-Louise explores how nonprofits, local government, businesses and researchers can refocus their marketing efforts to achieve net-positive social impact. Drawing from her latest research, we discuss the Social Impact Pathway (SIP) framework, the challenges of measuring meaningful change, and the role marketing plays in tackling biodiversity loss, climate change, and social inequalities. Tune in to discover how impact-driven marketing can move beyond greenwashing and create lasting, measurable change. You can explore Sarah-Louise’s wider work on her staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/sarah-louise-mitchell You can also access her paper, written with Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Fran Hyde and Zoe Lee: Refocusing marketing effort to support …
In this episode, we explore efforts to embed Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into academic library collections and practices at Oxford Brookes University. From responding to Black and BIPOC students' requests for more diverse content, to the challenges of overcoming systemic biases, we discuss what’s been achieved, what still needs work, and the wider implications for libraries in the face of growing opposition to EDI initiatives. You can explore this work wider by visiting: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/library/resources-and-services/inclusivity-and-diversity
How did the pandemic change the landscape of maternal healthcare? Senior Lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes, Dr Antonia Mackay, explores the digitisation of maternal healthcare during COVID-19, revealing the challenges, unintended consequences, and lasting impact of shifting essential care to virtual platforms. From the increased role of surveillance in maternity services to the isolation felt by new mothers, Antonia discusses her research, personal experiences, and how a groundbreaking theatrical production brought these hidden stories to life. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on technology, motherhood, and the future of maternal care. You can explore Antonia’s wider work on her staff page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/antonia-mackay You can also see reviews for Antonia’s play, Three M’others, here: https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/academic/health-care/sheila-kitzinger-programme/sheila-kitzinger-2023-24-programme-projects/motherhood-during-covid-a-play-with-qa-panel/
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr Jason Danely, a reader in Anthropology of Japan at Oxford Brookes, shares his ethnographic research on the lives of elderly individuals affected by Japan’s prison system. From stories of social isolation and repeat incarceration to the transformative work of community organisations, Jason highlights the challenges of reintegration and the urgent need for a more compassionate approach to justice. Tune in to discover how aging, care, and societal structures intersect in unexpected ways. You can find out more about Jason’s wider work on his staff profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jason-danely
Join us as we delve into the world of entrepreneurial wellbeing with Dr Jeremy Zwiegelaar, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Business at Oxford Brookes University. Explore the intricate balance between personal fulfillment and business success, and discover how strategies for wellbeing can empower small business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive. From navigating challenges faced by gender and immigrant entrepreneurs to understanding the role of societal impact, this episode sheds light on how wellbeing is a cornerstone of sustainable entrepreneurship. You can discover more about Jeremy’s wider work on his staff profile page: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jeremy-zwiegelaar