Public Health Disrupted

Learning 18

The development of wastewater systems in the 19th century was one of the greatest achievements of public health, but in recent years there has been growing concern and scrutiny of water quality and sewage pollution. 

The critical issue of sewage contamination in the UK's rivers and seas is having a profound impact on environmental sustainability and recent reports have urged upgrades in wastewater infrastructure to protect the health of the public. 

In this month’s episode, our experts James Cheshire (Professor of Geographic Information and Cartography, UCL Geography) and Sam Nichols (Water Quality App Manager, Surfers Against Sewage), analyse the causes, health effects, and innovative mapping techniques used to combat sewage contamination. 

Listen to understand what action is required from policymakers and the public to address sewage pollution and ensure our waterways are safe and clean for future generations.

Transcription link: 
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health-of-public/transcript-flushing-out-truth-sewage-and-public-health-uk

Date of episode recording: 2024-08-12T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:36:00
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Xand van Tulleken
Guests: James Cheshire; Sam Nichols
Producer: Annabelle Buckland

Season 4 - Flushing Out the Truth: Sewage and Public Health in the UK

The World Health Organisation highlights the tobacco epidemic as one of the greatest public health crises in history, claiming over 8 million lives annually. Over 7 million of these deaths stem from direct tobacco use, while around 1.3 million are due to second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers. The scale of the human and economic tragedy that tobacco imposes is shocking, and preventable. 

In this month’s episode, our experts Professor Jamie Brown and Hazel Cheeseman discuss the increasing political and public support for a smoke-free generation, proposed legislative changes, and their potential impact on smoking rates and improving the health of the public in the UK. This episode offers valuable insights into the future of tobacco control in the UK for policymakers, public health professionals, and the public.

Date of episode recording: 2024-07-16T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:42:15
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Xand Van Tulleken
Guests: Jamie Brown; Hazel Cheeseman
Producer: Anabelle Buckland

Season 4 - Smoke-Free Future: Tackling Tobacco and Vaping for Public Health

Welcome back to a brand new season of Public Health Disrupted! As Rochelle makes her return to the podcast following maternity leave, we’re excited to present the very first episode of Season 5: a fascinating examination and celebration of the power of movement to foster connection and belonging. 

This episode will be of particular interest to runners and fans of group or community exercising, or simply those interested in the intersection of public health and community engagement. Xand Van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess delve into the transformative world of community fitness events, particularly the groundbreaking success of Parkrun. They explore how grassroots initiatives are reshaping not only individual lives but entire communities by breaking down barriers to exercise and fostering social connections. Joining them are Dr. Flaminia Ronca, leading expert in exercise neuroscience, and Chrissie Wellington OBE, a four-time world Ironman champion and former global head of health and wellbeing for Parkrun. 

In this episode: - the profound impact of community fitness on mental and emotional wellbeing - the science behind exercise and brain health - inspiring stories of how Parkrun has created inclusive spaces for all. Public Health Disrupted, hosted by Dr Rochelle Burgess and Xand Van Tulleken is edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health-of-public/news-and-events/public-health-disrupted/season-5-ep-1-running-together-notes-and-transcript

Date of episode recording: 2025-03-03T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:40:26
Language of episode: English
TAGS: #PublicHealthDisrupted #UCLHealthPublic
Presenter:Xand van Tulleken; Rochelle Burgess
Guests: Chrissie Wellington OBE; Flaminia Ronca
Producer: Anabelle Buckland

Season 5 - Running together: Parkrun & the transformative power of grassroots community fitness

In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess dive into how we form beliefs, and how they shape our understanding of critical public health issues. From vaccination hesitancy to climate change, the episode explores the psychological mechanisms that lead to entrenched views and the challenges of changing minds. Joining them are Mia Forbes Pirie, a leading international mediator, and Dr. Kris De Meyer, Director of the UCL Climate Action Unit. Together, they share their insights on effective communication strategies that prioritise relationship-building over persuasion, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding in discussions surrounding contentious topics. 

In this episode: 
- How beliefs are formed and why they can become entrenched. 
- The role of cultural identity in shaping opinions and the fear of social rejection. 
- Practical strategies for engaging with differing viewpoints and fostering meaningful dialogue. 

Public Health Disrupted is produced by UCL Health of the Public and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

Transcription link:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health-of-public/news-and-events/public-health-disrupted/season-5-ep-2-listening-connect-notes-and-transcript

Date of episode recording: 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:42:35
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Xand van Tulleken; Rochelle Burgess
Guests: Mia Forbes Pirie; Kris De Meyer
Producer: Fran Goldman (Producer) Annabelle Buckland (Editor)


Season 5 - Listening to connect: how understanding beliefs can transform public health

WHERE TO BUY
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM7224VK
Audiobooks: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/834811
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-we-stand-to-lose-kristen-buras/1146487390?ean=2940193529491
Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780807020920

ABOUT
Spotlights the tireless work of Black teachers in a historic New Orleans public school, one of countless public schools now part of a school closing crisis in cities nationwide

Time and again, teachers of color have been blamed for every conceivable wrong in urban schools, a tactic that ignores the history of racism and bolsters the expansion of charter schools that lack community roots. Covering the rich, 50-year legacy of George Washington Carver Senior High School from 1958-2005, What We Stand to Lose investigates how public school closures have impacted predominantly Black urban neighborhoods in New Orleans. This institutional history demonstrates the cultural value of school communities over time, including the ways they have navigated and excelled despite racism and state neglect.

Through oral history interviewing and archival research, antiracist organizer and author Kristen Buras offers an in-depth look into counter stories that oppose white majoritarian allegations of school failure. She conducted oral history interviews with more than 30 Carver alumni and teachers, unveiling the intergenerational culture that nurtured self-determination and an abiding sense of community in the face of endemic racism. In turn, Buras demonstrates Black teachers’ invaluable and often unrecognized contributions.

In compelling detail, Buras highlights the dire consequences of school closings, illuminating why the assault on veteran teachers, and the communities they have fostered, is the civil rights issue of our era.

A Selection from "What We Stand to Lose"

Emily is a PhD student and biological anthropologist at Northwestern University and a Student Representative for the Human Biology Association. She studies brain development from an evolutionary perspective, focusing on how early life stress shapes cognitive, behavioral, social, and physiological development. Her dissertation examines how early adversity and parenting influence executive function, learning, and memory, exploring potential adaptive outcomes of early stress. Emily is also pursuing research on brain energetics during development in early childhood and developing field-friendly methods to study brain energetics for anthropologists. She’s passionate about bringing ideas and methods from neuroscience into the field of anthropology to better understand what shapes human behavior and biology.

Contact Emily Barron: emilybarron2026@u.northwestern.edu
Twitter: @emilyhbarron 
------------------------------
Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and Human Biology Association:
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation/, Website: humbio.org, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc

Chris Lynn, Co-Host Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, E-mail: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter: @Chris_Ly

Courtney Manthey, Guest-Co-Host, Website: holylaetoli.com/ E-mail: cpierce4@uccs.edu, Twitter: @HolyLaetoli 

Anahi Ruderman, SoS Co-Producer, HBA Junior Fellow
E-mail: ruderman@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar, Twitter: @ani_ruderman


SoS 244: Emily Barron discusses early life stress and its impact on brain development from an evolutionary perspective

Elizabeth Okogwu- Winner of the BAFTA'S 2025 young presenter award

The Christian Story

In response to what the US sees as potential growing threats from China and North Korea, nuclear weapons are becoming a more and more important part of US alliance commitments and partnerships in East Asia. But what does this focus on nuclear weapons for both deterrence and reassurance mean for US foreign policy and for the security of the region? And could there be an alternative which puts a greater focus on conventional armed forces?

To discuss these topics, in June 2025 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Dr Lauren Sukin about her recent article, in the Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, with Samuel Seitz of MIT, “Deemphasizing Nuclear Weapons in Nuclear Deterrence: The Case for Conventional Counterforce”. Dr Sukin is Assistant Professor in LSE’s Department of International Relations and a Centre Affiliate at the LSE Phelan US Centre. 

Further reading and resources

-	Seitz, S. and Sukin, L. (2025). Deemphasizing Nuclear Weapons in Nuclear Deterrence: The Case for Conventional Counterforce. Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, [online] 8(1), pp.15–35. 

LSE: The Ballpark | Deemphasizing Nuclear Weapons in Nuclear Deterrence with Dr Lauren Sukin

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

UCL (University College London) is consistently ranked among the world's top ten universities (QS World University Rankings 2010 - 2021). Our excellence extends across all academic disciplines, from one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences to world-renowned centres for architecture (UCL Bartlett), education (UCL IOE) and fine art (UCL Slade School).

UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 13,000 staff and 43,000 students from 150 different countries. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men.

UCL Minds brings together UCL’s knowledge, insights, and ideas through events, activities, and digital content open to everyone. Find out what’s on UCL Minds: www.ucl.ac.uk/minds