Adrian Lui, GCU's Equality and Diversity Advisor, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the University's Call It Racism campaign, a new initiative designed to tackle racism on our campuses. Adrian discusses racism within the higher education sector, why we need this new campaign, how our students and staff can benefit from it.

The Call It Racism Campaign with Adrian Lui

Annamae Burrows, a PhD student in the School of Health and Life Sciences, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her forthcoming study into the impact of gender and masculinity on male loneliness and social isolation. Annamae outlines the project, which aims to talk to men aged between 18 and 30, and how we define terms like "loneliness" and "masculinity". She also discusses the role alcohol plays within this community and how it helps people communicate their feelings.

The impact of gender and masculinity on male loneliness and social isolation with Annamae Burrows

Dr Paul Baker joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about how the GCU campus in Glasgow has become a haven for birdlife. Dr Baker, a Lecturer in Cell and Molecular Biology and a passionate ornithologist, has been monitoring the campus' bird life for four years and last year he recorded 12 species on campus, including a migratory Woodcock, which may have flown in from as far away as Russia. He discusses why birdlife is thriving and his own role in attracting it to campus, as well as his long-standing interest in ornithology and shares stories of his time spent watching birds.

How GCU became a haven for birdlife with Dr Paul Baker

Adil Rahoo, the outgoing Student President at the GCU Students' Association, joins the Common Good Podcast to look back on his 12 months in office. Adil discusses how he and his team supported the transition from remote learning to face-to-face teaching back on campus, as well as their other successes during his time in office. He also looks to the future and outlines his next steps.

The GCU Students' Association Student President with Adil Rahoo

Dr Sanjukta Brahma, a Senior Lecturer in Finance, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast, to talk about her research exploring the links between the LGBTQ community and finance. Dr Brahma outlines the four areas her study investigates, how it fills in the missing gaps in existing literature, and how it can be implemented in a practical context.

LGBTQ and Finance with Dr Sanjukta Brahma

Dr Jane McKay joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about the concept of perfectionism and how it can be used to help improve the student learning experience. Dr McKay explains the positive and negative connotations of perfectionism and its role in mental health. She discusses the HAPPY project and how our students can benefit, as well as her background in athletics, which has shaped her career in academia.

How perfectionism can improve the student learning experience with Dr Jane McKay

This special episode of the Common Good podcast, released to coincide with Black History Month, focuses on the subjects or racism, language and self-identity.

Hosted by Adrian Lui, Glasgow Caledonian University's Equality and Diversity Advisor, the podcast brings together members of the GCU community to discuss how they identify themselves and the evolution of language in relation to race.

Adrian is joined by Professor Tuleen Boutaleb, the Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Dr Davena Rankin, Student Mobility and International Partnership Administration; and Tabitha Nyariki, Race Equality Charter Project Officer.

Racism, language and self-identity

Michail Georgiou, a PhD researcher at the University, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about how living near a blue space can reduce the risk of mental health conditions derived from socio-economic deprivation by 6 per cent. Michail discusses the importance of this project, how it was carried out, and how its findings can be put into a practical context.

How living near a blue space can reduce mental health conditions with Michail Georgiou

This week's episode of the Common Good Podcast looks forward to the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the first international football match. GCU sports historian Dr Fiona Skillen, Graeme Brown, founder and gaffer of the Hampden Collection, and Glasgow Football Tour founder Lindsay Hamilton join the show to talk the famous match between Scotland and England, the events taking place in the build up to the anniversary, and their own favourite memories from following the national team.

Celebrating 150 years of international football

Dr Liza Morton, a Lecturer in Applied Psychology, joins the first Common Good Podcast of 2023 to talk about her new book Healing Hearts and Minds: A holistic approach to coping well with congenital heart disease. Dr Morton talks about her own experiences of living with congenital heart disease and how it inspired her to write the book, as well as how she hopes it can be used to help and support other people condition, their families and health professionals.

Healing Hearts and Minds with Dr Liza Morton

Dr Bryan McCann and Dr Ciara Reidy join the Common Good Podcast to talk about the ProActive Minds programme, a knowledge transfer partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University and Sport Aberdeen designed to embed the principles of sports psychology in high schools. Dr McCann and Dr Reidy discuss the genesis of the project, how it will work, and how it could be rolled out across the country.

ProActive Minds with Dr Bryan McCann and Dr Ciara Reidy

As part of International Women's Day 2023, the Common Good Podcast is proud to bring you the first of two interviews with female members of the GCU community. Tabitha Nyariki joins the show to talk about her journey from the African Leadership College in Mauritius to the University's Race Equality Charter Project Officer. Tabitha talks about why she chose to study at GCU, her experiences in student politics and what International Women's Day means to her.

International Women's Day 2023 || An interview with Tabitha Nyariki

The second of our special podcasts celebrating International Women's Day 2023 sees Dr Yvonne Dempsie, a lecturer in pharmacology, joining the show. Dr Dempsie looks over her career, from her undergraduate degree to working at Glasgow Caledonian University. She discusses the challenges of academia, her experiences on the Aurora Programme, and what International Women's Day means to her.

International Women's Day 2023 || An interview with Dr Yvonne Dempsie

Alan Jack, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Video Games, joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about his experiences of living with ADHD. Alan, who was diagnosed with ADHD with autistic traits in his late thirties, describes what his life was like before and after his diagnosis, and how he supports students with similar neurodivergent traits. He also talks about games design and how GCU is developing the next generation of video games developers.

Living with ADHD with Alan Jack

Dr Karen Lorimer joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about her research examining working-class women's experiences of sexual violence. Dr Lorimer explains why this is a first-of-its-kind study, how we define "working class" and how this research can be used in a practical context. She also discusses other research projects, her methodology, and her background in sexual health and wellbeing.

Working-class women's experiences of sexual violence with Dr Karen Lorimer

Josh Roberts, the Acting Head Student Recruitment (UK) at Glasgow Caledonian University, joins the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to talk about clearing. Clearing opens for students who received their SQA qualifications on Tuesday 8 August. Josh discusses what it means, how the process works, and how any potential students can get involved. He also provides some hints and tips and dos and don'ts.

Find out more about clearing at Glasgow Caledonian University by visiting gcu.ac.uk/study.clearing or by phoning us on 0800 027 9171.

Clearing at Glasgow Caledonian University with Josh Roberts

Oscar Mendoza, a former political prisoner and Chilean refugee who has lived in Scotland since 1975, joins the Common Good Podcast to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Chilean coup d'état where the democratically elected President Salvador Allende  was overthrown and replaced by a military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet. Speaking with host Craig G Telfer and University Archivist Carole McCallum, Oscar talks about his early life in Chile and the events that led up to 11 September 1973, the day itself, and the immediate aftermath. He then goes on to discuss his 20-month detention under the regime, his exile to Scotland and his time at the Glasgow College of Technology, one of the founding institutions of Glasgow Caledonian University.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Chilean coup d'état with Oscar Mendoza

Professor Katrina Bannigan joins the latest Common Good Podcast to share her experiences of taking part in Points of Pride, one of the most important events that takes place at GCU and gives our staff the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success and the achievements of their peers and colleagues. Professor Bannigan talks about receiving a nomination, why she nominated others, and what it meant to her both professionally and personally.

Points of Pride 2023 with Professor Katrina Bannigan

Dr Ruth Barn joins the Common Good Podcast to talk about a new approach to tackling diabetes-related foot ulcers in Scotland. Dr Barn and her team have received a grant of almost £300,000 from the Scottish Government's Chief Scientist Office to develop a research project exploring "motivational interviewing", which can empower patients to adopt new lifestyle changes and ultimately reduce ulceration, amputation and death rates among people with diabetes.

Tackling foot ulcers in Scotland with Dr Ruth Barn

Dr Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh, a lecturer in the Department of Cyber Security and Networks, and Dionysios Voutos, a fourth-year student on the programme, join the latest episode of the Common Good Podcast to discuss the development of a cutting-edge cybersecurity project that could be key to safeguarding our critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks – a cyber test bed that has taken the form of a model trainset.

The Cyber Test Playground with Dr Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh and Dionysios Voutos

Dr Patrick Ring, a Reader in Financial Services at Glasgow Caledonian University, and Jack Stanbury, a Senior Project Manager at the University of Bristol, join the Common Good Podcast to discuss Future Finance, a new initiative that aims to enhance innovation and productivity in the sector and help organisations adapt to challenges, ranging from AI and data to changes in regulation and widening access to services. The £1.8million initiative, funded by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council, is initially being rolled out as a pilot in Scotland today. The pair discuss the genesis of Future Finance, how business can benefit from it, and how it can grow and develop in the future.

Future Finance with Dr Patrick Ring and Jack Stanbury

Dr Gordon Hill, the Assistant Head for International at the School of Health and Life Sciences, sits down with Dilan Aydemir, a first-year PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University, specialising in pelvic health research. Dilan, originally from Türkiye, previously completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in physiotherapy and rehabilitation before embarking on her PhD journey at Glasgow Caledonian University.

During their conversation, Gordon and Dilan explore her experiences of moving to Scotland, adapting to life in Glasgow, and the various challenges she has encountered along the way. They also discuss important topics such as scholarships, student support, and ways for international students to engage with the local community.

Dilan's research focuses on the conservative treatment of endometriosis-associated pain, a complex and often debilitating condition affecting millions of women worldwide. Her goal is to identify new therapeutic targets and develop effective, evidence-based physiotherapy treatments to alleviate pain, improve quality of life, and enhance sexual function for women suffering from endometriosis. By emphasising non-surgical and non-pharmacological options, Dilan aims to reduce the burden of this condition.

Join us as Dilan shares her excitement about the potential impact of her work and her commitment to advancing the field of endometriosis research.

(The perfect corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Global Voices: Research Journey from the School of Health and Life Sciences

In this podcast, Dr. Gordon Hill meets with Dr. Natalia Farmer, Lecturer in Social Work, and Amaka Ofili, a recent graduate of the MSc in Social Work program. Amaka is now working as a Social Worker in Glasgow, within the Children and Families team.

Amaka, who moved to Scotland from Nigeria to pursue her studies, shares with Gordon and Natalia her motivation to become a Social Worker and what led her to choose Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Amaka discusses her experiences of moving to a new country and her dissertation, which explored the experiences of African students. Together, Amaka, Natalia, and Gordon also highlight the support available at Glasgow Caledonian University for students, emphasizing the value of learning from the experiences of past students.

Natalia provides insight into the Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, including international opportunities within the Department of Social Work, her own research, and the various roles that Social Work graduates can pursue.

If you are interested in Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, this is the podcast for you!

(The corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Global Voices: A Social Work Journey from the School of Health and Life Sciences

In the latest podcast in the Global Voices series Dr Gordon Hill meets up with Lisa Forrest, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, first year student, Rosie Howes and Blessing Christian, a second year student. Both Rosie and Blessing are studying the MSc Pre-Registration programme in Occupational Therapy at Glasgow Caledonian University.

In the podcast, Blessing and Rosie tell us about what motivated them to apply to GCU, what is was like arriving in Glasgow, details about their programme and give us some great hints and tips for new international students.

Lisa also tells us about her experiences of meeting international applicants overseas, the vibrant discussions in the OT classes and about international opportunities in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Gordon, Lisa, Rosie and Blessing also discuss the support available at GCU for international students

This is a must listen for everyone who is applying for or starting Occupational Therapy at GCU.

Global Voices: Experiences of the MSc Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy programme

Dr Andrea Quinlan, Professor Lesley McMillan, Dr. Gethin Rees and Professor Deborah White, join the Common Ground podcast to discuss their international project on sexual assault care in rural and remote areas of Scotland and Ontario, Canada. Included in the podcast are voices from sexual assault service providers from both regions. Together, they describe the challenges in accessing and delivering sexual assault care and forensic evidence collection in rural and remote areas, and what can be done to address them.

Sexual Assault Care in Rural and Remote Scotland and Ontario, Canada

In the fourth episode of the Global Voices podcast series, Dr Gordon Hill sits down with Dr Artaban Jeldi, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, and two international students, Ritika Kapadia and Abdullah Jamal, who share their experiences of studying the MSc Advanced Physiotherapy Practice Programme at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Ritika and Abdullah reflect on their motivations for choosing GCU, offering honest and insightful accounts of their journey from overseas to the heart of Glasgow. From their initial impressions of Scotland to their academic experiences on the programme, they highlight the university’s supportive learning environment and its emphasis on evidence-based practice.

Listeners will also gain practical tips on preparing for international study, from adapting to a new culture, to balancing coursework and life in a new city. This engaging conversation offers a warm and authentic glimpse into what makes GCU a top choice for physiotherapy professionals seeking advanced practice training.

Whether you're considering postgraduate study or simply exploring your options, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their physiotherapy career on a global stage.


Global Voices: Studying MSc Advanced Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University

In this episode of Global Voices the conversation centres on the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme and the experiences of international students at Glasgow Caledonian University. Gordon Hill is joined by Martin Murchie, Programme Leader for the MPH, and Chinaenyenwa Ugo, an MPH graduate and current Vice President for the School of Health and Life Sciences within the Students’ Association. Together, they explore what makes GCU’s MPH distinctive, from its focus on global health challenges and community impact to its supportive learning environment.

Martin discusses the structure and aims of the programme, highlighting how it equips students with the skills needed to address complex public health issues across diverse contexts. Chinaenyenwa shares her journey as an international student—from applying and adjusting to life in Glasgow, to developing her academic confidence and leadership skills through the programme.

The discussion offers valuable insights for prospective international applicants, illustrating how GCU fosters both professional growth and personal development. Listeners gain a sense of the university’s inclusive community, its commitment to real-world health impact, and the opportunities awaiting students who choose to pursue their public health studies at Glasgow Caledonian University.


Global Voices: Studying the Master of Public Health at Glasgow Caledonian University

Dr Alison McIntosh, the Director of GCU's Research and Knowledge Exchange Services, joins the Common Good Podcast to outline the role of her new department, how it was formed, and its objectives. Dr McIntosh also discusses her journey in academia.

Understanding GCU's Research and Knowledge Exchange Services with Dr Alison McIntosh

Professor John Lennon, Dean of the Glasgow School for Business and Society at GCU, joins the Common Good Podcast to discuss his research into the dark tourism - the phenomenon of travelling to locations around the world associated with death and disaster. Professor Lennon talks about what makes a dark tourism site, touching on places like Auschwitz and Pripyat, the abandoned city near the Chernobyl disaster, how governments protect areas of dark tourism and his recent work examining the gulags of Kazakhstan.

Dark Tourism with Professor John Lennon

How will we physically distance in our gyms? Will we be able to exercise as normal? And can we still use the changing rooms? Kathleen Campbell, manager of the ARC at Glasgow Caledonian University, joins the Common Good Podcast to about the reopening of our gym and steps required to make sure it's safe for use. Kathleen also talks about online exercise classes and how to maintain a positive mindset during lockdown.

The Gym of the Future with Kathleen Campbell

Professor John McKendrick returns to the Common Good Podcast to discuss child poverty in Scotland and the steps being taken to alleviate the issue. Professor McKendrick talks about his research with the Scottish Poverty and Information Research Unit has informed a grab-and-go scheme designed to give schoolchildren a free breakfast.

Alleviating Child Poverty in Scotland with Professor John McKendrick

Glasgow Caledonian University's podcasts showcase the very best of GCU's research and explains how it benefits people and communities locally, nationally and around the world.

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