Douglas Little joins the Common Good Podcast for the final time to look back over his remarkable 35 years at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The Director of Estates, who announced he will retire from GCU at the end of April 2021, reflects on joining the Queens College, Glasgow in 1986 as a joiner, how the University was founded in 1993, the rapid transformation of the Glasgow campus and his role in the Heart of the Campus project in 2014.

Douglas is certain to be missed by his friends and colleagues at GCU and we wish him well in the next chapter of his life.

The Changing Face of the Glasgow Campus: 35 Years at GCU with Douglas Little

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

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.

The Changing Face of the Glasgow Campus: 35 Years at GCU with Douglas Little

Glasgow Caledonian University

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