Octopus is a new clinical trial for people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), which is designed and run by the MRC CTU at UCL. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, Octopus has the potential to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. The trial is now open in the UK and will be recruiting participants for the next few years.  

The podcast mini-series will explore the trial from different perspectives by talking to neurologists, MS experts and people affected by MS.  

Part 1 covers the treatment and research landscape of MS and the challenges of treating progressive MS. It features Jeremy Chataway, neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at UCLH, Professor of Neurology at UCL and co-lead of the Neurodegenerative Diseases progamme at the MRC CTU at UCL, who is leading the Octopus trial. We also hear from Dawn Lyle, Lead Research MS Nurse, and Matthew Justin, MS Specialist, who are based at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurologic Clinic in Edinburgh.  
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For more information and to access the transcript: https://bit.ly/3S6FKP4

For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk

As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6g

Octopus (part 1): The MS landscape with Jeremy Chataway, Dawn Lyle and Matthew Justin

Dr. Bzhar Othman Ahmed, history lecturer at the University of Soran, Kurdistan, Iraq, discusses his research on the Jewish community in Koya, Iraq from 1918 to 1951.

Transcription link:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-bzhar-othman-ahmed

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z
Duration: 38:13
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem
Guests: Bzhar Othman Ahmed
Producer: Mehiyar Kathem

THE WORK AND HERITAGE OF THE JEWS OF KOYA - A Conversation with Dr Bzhar Ahmed

How can the history of enslavement be recognised in the way we shape and regenerate cities today? 

In this special episode marking 20 years of the Bartlett’s Sustainable Heritage MSc, we explore how cities can confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, the role of community-led projects, and how heritage can drive more inclusive and meaningful urban change. MSc, Professor Kalliopi Fouseki is joined by Helen Paul, director of the Memorial of Enslavement and Freedom in Deptford and an economic historian at the University of Southampton, and Marie Xypaki, Head of Learning and Teaching Enhancement at SOAS.

Date of episode recording: 2025-06-23T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:34:52
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Kalliopi Fouseki
Guests: 
Helen Paul, Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at University of Southampton
Marie Xypaki, Educationist, SOAS University London. Also a research student at UCL currently supervised by Prof Alice Bradbury, Dr Juliana Martins and Dr Julia Jeanes.
Producer: Adam Batstone

The Bartlett Review - Recognising Slavery’s History in City Regeneration

Beyond the neglectful state: unpacking the intersection of public health and personal freedom In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess tackle the concept of the "nanny state". Alongside guests Adam Briggs and Professor James Wilson, they delve into the delicate balance between government intervention and individual freedom in the realm of public health. 

The conversation explores how public health policies can sometimes be perceived as overreaching, despite the evidence suggesting that the public largely supports such initiatives. Our guests unpack the historical context of the term "nanny state," its implications, and the ongoing debate about the role of government in promoting health while respecting personal autonomy. 

Guests: 
- Dr Adam Briggs, Senior Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation 
- Professor James Wilson, Professor of Philosophy at UCL 

In this episode: 
- The origins and evolution of the "nanny state" rhetoric and its impact on public health discourse. 
- Insights into public opinion on government intervention in health-related issues, including obesity and smoking. 
- The importance of framing public health initiatives in a way that resonates with communities and policymakers alike. 
- How a shift towards prevention can be achieved through approaches that embed health considerations across all areas of government. 

This conversation invites us all to reconsider the narratives surrounding public health policies and the responsibilities of both the state and individuals in fostering a healthier society.

Date of episode recording: 2025-05-12T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:43:51
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Professor Rochelle Burgess; Dr Xand van Tulleken
Guests: Dr Adam Briggs; Professor James Wilson
Producer: Produced by: UCL Health of the Public; Editor: Annabelle Buckland, Decibelle Creative


Season 5 - Beyond the neglectful state: unpacking public health and personal freedom

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval,  the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converging to shape healthier, more inclusive spaces for everyone. 

This wide-ranging conversation touches on the potential of this pioneering field to transform sectors such as healthcare, education, and urban planning. With deep insights from research and practice, the episode explores how our brains respond to the spaces we inhabit, and how better design can enhance wellbeing, accessibility, and human connection.

Featured in this episode:

Host: Jade Hunter – Coordinator, UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing
With special thanks to our guests:
Professor Hugo Spiers – UCL Department of Experimental Psychology
Dr Fiona Zisch – Lecturer in Architecture, UCL Bartlett School of Architecture
Isabelle Charval – Design Strategist and Co-Founder, Centre for Neuroarchitecture

Building Better Minds: Neuroarchitecture and the Future of Inclusive Design

In the third episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter speaks with Dr Flaminia Ronca, Evie Watson, and Katie Sykes about the Active Minds Project at UCL, an innovative pilot exploring how students’ physical activity and lifestyle habits impact their mental wellbeing and cognitive function.
 
Through wearable technology and behavioural insights, the team is working to refine interventions that can motivate students to move more, sleep better, and thrive both academically and personally. Together, they unpack the data-driven approach behind the project and how it aims to foster a healthier, more supportive university environment.
 
This dynamic conversation touches on the real-world challenges facing students today and the ways in which physical fitness can serve as a pathway to mental resilience.
 
Find out more: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/disruptive-voices-podcast/active-minds-exploring-links-between-student-lifestyles-and-mental-health

Active Minds: Exploring the Links Between Student Lifestyles and Mental Health

Selina and Caswell chat with Professor Adrian Isaacs from the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL to talk Frontotemporal Dementia — from how fruit flies are helping, to the role of DNA repeat expansions in disease, and why lipids might protect the brain.

Presenters:  Caswell Barry and Selina Wray
Guests: Professor Adrian Isaacs
Producer: Patrick Robinson

Date of episode recording:  2025-07-28
Duration:  00:38:48
Language of episode: English 


Brain Stories - Episode 21:  Professor Adrian Isaacs on Frontotemporal Dementia

Beyond the 9 to 5: Rethinking the modern work week.

What if the key to better mental health, stronger families, and a more sustainable society was working less? In this episode, Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess explore how reducing the working week could transform not just our work-life balance but public health more broadly. They’re joined by: - Joe Ryle – Director of the Four Day Week Campaign, advocating for a shorter working week with no loss of pay - Professor Anna Cox – Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at UCL and Head of the eWork Research Group, whose work explores how technology impacts productivity and wellbeing.

In this episode: - How overworking is driving burnout, stress, and poor health outcomes - What flexible and remote working has taught us post-COVID - The role of digital technology in balancing work and life - Why a shorter week could be good for the environment and the economy - Whether AI might finally deliver on the long-promised work-life revolution.  

This episode also asks a deeper question: what would it take to truly shift our culture away from valuing busyness and burnout, and toward health, connection, and rest?

Date of episode recording: 2025-07-02

Duration: 00:37:45

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Xand van Tulleken; Rochelle Burgess

Guests: Joe Ryle; Anna Cox

Producer: Produced by: UCL Health of the Public; Editor: Annabelle Buckland, Decibelle Creative

Link to transcript:  https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health-of-public/news-and-events/public-health-disrupted/season-5-ep-4-beyond-9-5-notes-and-transcript

Season 5 - The Future of Work: Rethinking the 9 to 5

As the importance of climate justice grows, UCL Generation One asks the question: can we address the past for a fairer future and are historic injustices to blame for today’s climate inequalities? 

In this episode, Mark and Simon discuss the landmark ruling from the International Court of Justice, which declares nations are legally obligated to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions. This gives the countries most affected by climate change – many of which are former colonies – the legal right to hold major polluters accountable.

Lawyer and climate activist Farhana Yamin provides context on the ICJ’s decision, explaining the link between climate change and colonialism, and how activism combined with legal action can tackle systematic inequalities.

We then hear from Raffaella Fryer-Moreira (UCL Department of Anthropology), who works with indigenous communities in Brazil. Raffaella reveals how traditional academic practices often enforce historic dynamics, and explores how research projects might include rather than marginalise indigenous knowledge.

Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast

Date of episode recording: 23 July 2025
Duration: 00:38:38
Language of episode: English 

Presenters: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee 

Guests:
Raffaella Fryer-Moreira (UCL Department of Anthropology)
Farhana Yamin (Climate Justice – Just Transition Donor Collaborative)

Producers: 
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin

Season 5, Episode 8 - Decolonising climate action: addressing the past for a fairer future

Dr Mehiyar Kathem speaks with Dr Mohammed Jassim on rebuilding Mosul University’s Central Library after ISIS.

Date of episode recording: 2025-08-01
Duration: 24:08
Language of episode: English

Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem
Guests: Dr Mohammed Jassim
Producer: Mehiyar Kathem

Transcript link:  
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-dr-mohammed-jassim



MOSUL LIBRARY; REBUILDING KNOWLEDGE - A conversation with Dr Mohammad Jassim

The Trial Talk podcast explores how our work at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL is improving health in the UK and worldwide. In this series, we hear from world-leading experts about the studies we carry out. We delve into trials on cancer, infections and neurodegenerative diseases, explore how public and patient involvement shapes our work, and discover new ways to run smarter studies.

Octopus (part 1): The MS landscape with Jeremy Chataway, Dawn Lyle and Matthew Justin

MRC CTU at UCL - Trial Talk podcast

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