Climate change is no longer something that we can think of as a problem of the future or only a matter of concern elsewhere in the world – it is already with us and can be viewed as the defining global challenge of our age. Our current situation is undoubtedly worrying, but there is a great deal that can be done to mitigate the worst consequences of climate change, adapt to those that cannot be avoided, and secure as much remediation as possible now and into the far future. This includes action at all levels from the institutional to the individual and the global to the local. In this episode, Professor Karen Morrow and Dr Victoria Jenkins with host Dr Sam Blaxland discuss global climate and environmental governance and what people and institutions can do to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Beth yn union yw ffuglen wyddonol, a sut mae genre o’r fath yn ein helpu i archwilio’r problemau byd-eang sy’n ein hwynebu o ddydd i ddydd? A all genre sy’n cael ei weld fel genre sy’n drwm dan ddylanwad diwylliant ‘Eingl-Americanaidd’, ac sy’n portreadu heb eu tebyg, fod yn berthnasol i ddiwylliannau lleiafrifol heddiw? Yn y bennod hon, mae Dr Miriam Elin Jones, mewn sgwrs ag Elin Rhys, yn trafod o ble ddaeth ei diddordeb mewn ffuglen wyddonol, a chyflwyno sut y gall y genre archwilio nifer o bryderon perthnasol i ddiwylliant lleiafrifol fel y diwylliant Cymraeg, drwy bortreadu tranc iaith a pherthynas iaith a thechnoleg. Mae Dr Miriam Elin Jones yn Ddarlithydd yn y Gymraeg ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, ac yn arbenigwr ym maes ffuglen wyddonol y Gymraeg. Datblygodd ei hymchwil yn sgil ei diddordeb yn y modd y mae’r berthynas rhwng ieithoedd lleiafrifol a thechnoleg, a goblygiadau tranc iaith i gymdeithas a’i diwylliant yn cael eu harchwilio mewn ffuglen wyddonol yn Gymraeg. Ar hyn o bryd, mae Dr Jones yn rhan o Rwydwaith Adrodd Newid Gwledig, sy’n cyfuno ei magwraeth wledig a’i hymchwil i ddadansoddi portreadau o ffermio a bywyd yng nghefn gwlad mewn testunau ffuglen wyddonol yn y Gymraeg. Yn llenor a dramodydd, mae ganddi hefyd ddiddordeb mewn beirniadaeth greadigol ac archwilio’r berthynas rhwng beirniadaeth ac ysgrifennu creadigol.

What exactly is science fiction, and how can it help us make sense of global problems we face in day-to-day life? Can a genre traditionally viewed as an ‘Anglo-American’ genre, portraying roaring machines and advanced technology, be relevant to a minority language culture? In this episode, Dr Miriam Elin Jones discusses with host Elin Rhys, her interest in science fiction, and how what could potentially be seen as an antithesis to Welsh-language culture, explores many relevant and pressing concerns, such as language death and a minority language’s uneasy relationship with technology. Dr Miriam Elin Jones is a Lecturer in Welsh at Swansea University and an expert on Welsh-language science fiction. Her research stems from a keen interest in how Welsh-language science-fiction explores the relationship between minority languages and technology and the idea of language decline, and how that might effect a society and its culture. Dr Jones is currently part of the Narrating Rural Change Network, combining her upbringing with her research to explore portrayals of farming and rural life in Welsh-language science fiction. As a published author, she also has an interest in creative criticism, which offers the opportunity to combine literary criticism with creative writing.

A regular menstrual cycle is extremely important and a vital sign of good health and overall well-being. Nevertheless, women, girls and individuals who menstruate, often contend with debilitating symptoms associated with menstruation, such as fatigue, menstrual cramps, mood fluctuations, disrupted sleep, and headaches. Managing these symptoms pose a significant barrier to the participation in physical activities within schools and can negatively impact on the performance of elite athletes. In this episode, Dr Natalie Brown in conversation with Dr Sam Blaxland discusses the perceptions and experiences of the menstrual cycle in elite sport and across schools in the UK, and how activity and good nutrition can manage menstrual-related symptoms.

Autistic people have worse physical and mental health than their allistic (non-Autistic) peers. This includes dying between 16 and 30 years early. Deficit narratives of Autism, discrimination towards Autistic people and significant healthcare inaccessibility all contribute to this. In this episode, Dr Aimee Grant with host Sam Blaxland discuss how their research looks to uncover Autistic people’s lived experiences and healthcare needs to reduce and reverse health inequalities.

Generative Artificial Intelligence is a branch of artificial intelligence that uses deep learning algorithms, trained on large datasets, to generate content such as text, images, videos, and music. ChatGPT is just one example of generative AI that can generate human-like responses to text prompts and can be used in a variety of applications such as chatbots, language translation, and content creation. As these technologies continue to evolve, they have the potential to revolutionise the way we interact with machines and each other. However, it's important to be aware of the potential ethical implications and to ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of all. In this episode, Professor Yogesh Dwivedi and Dr Laurie Hughes with host Sam Blaxland discuss the potential benefits, challenges and risks associated with using generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT. What impact will it have in education and what are the implications for individuals, organisations and institutions in wider society?

England and Wales currently has one of the highest prison populations per 100,000 capita in the western world. Current reoffending rates of those released from prison are between 40% - 60%. Many aspects of the penal system are not working. Dr Gemma Morgan in discussion with host Sam Blaxland explores the real challenges people face when leaving prison, and how harnessing digital technology in innovative new ways can support those leaving prison or on probation to stop offending and achieve positive outcomes.

Commercial self-driving passenger and freight services has the potential to revolutionise public transport and passenger travel with many benefits that include reduced road traffic accidents due to human error, to improved connectivity to remote areas for goods and healthcare services. Yet building public trust and acceptance in autonomous systems and overcoming the perception of risk will be challenging. In this episode, in discussion with Dr Sam Blaxland, Siraj Shaikh, Professor in Systems Security in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, talks about the evolution and future of self-driving technology; the risks and benefits, and how pushing industry standards can help build public trust in complex autonomous technologies. Siraj Shaikh is a Professor in Systems Security at Swansea University (UK). His research interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, systems engineering and computer science addressing cyber-physical systems security for automotive and transport systems. Professor Shaikh is also Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at CyberOwl, which is dedicated to cyber-physical systems security monitoring for the maritime sector. He is also currently a Visiting Professor at Nebrija University, Spain and hosts the podcast "Higher Purpose" on Unity FM in Birmingham. The podcast's goal is to foster debate and discussion about issues and challenges experienced by minority communities in higher education.

We know from transport research that most car journeys in the UK are less than five miles with just one person in the vehicle, so how can we encourage people to use more sustainable travel options? In this podcast episode, Professor of Environmental Psychology Ian Walker explores the phenomenon of ‘Motor Normativity’. This is the idea that people have concluded without question that the world order, in terms of transport habits, is correct. When individuals or groups try to bring about change, for example, by encouraging people to drive less or shift the way they travel to active, cleaner modes of transport, there is very often a surprisingly aggressive backlash. Professor Walker’s research looks at behaviours that are triggered automatically and unconsciously by the environment an individual finds themselves in, specifically in the context of driving habits. His interest in this area of study stems from his own experience as a cyclist.

Warning: This podcast episode contains discussions about suicide, which may be distressing to some individuals. We encourage listener discretion and self-care. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please seek help immediately. Below are links to organisations in the UK and Wales that can provide support and assistance: 1. Samaritans: The Samaritans offer 24/7 emotional support to anyone in distress, including those feeling suicidal. You can call their helpline at 116 123 (UK) or 116 123 (Wales) or visit their website: https://www.samaritans.org/ 2. Mind: Mind is a mental health charity providing advice and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems. They have a helpline, local branches, and a wide range of resources available. Visit their website: https://www.mind.org.uk/ 3. PAPYRUS: PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to preventing young suicide. They provide confidential support and advice to young people and anyone concerned about a young person. Call their helpline HOPELineUK at 0800 068 4141 or visit their website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ 4. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): CALM is a leading movement against suicide, providing support for men in the UK. They offer a helpline and webchat service for anyone feeling down or in crisis. Visit their website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ 5. Welsh Mental Health Helpline: The Welsh Mental Health Helpline provides confidential support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress in Wales. Call them at 0800 132 737 or visit their website: https://www.callhelpline.org.uk/ In this episode, Professor of Health Data Science, Ann John and host Dr Sam Blaxland explore suicide and self-harm prevention and how anonymised data can help to design interventions and develop policies to help inform and train professionals in contact with those who are at risk of suicide. One of the biggest myths about suicide is that it’s inevitable, however suicide is eminently preventable. Over the last ten years, the rate of suicide in children and young people has been increasing. Research suggests for every death through suicide almost 135 lives can be affected. Professor John’s research looks at anonymised data linking across sectors from school attendance and absences, examination attainment and medical appointments with the GP or in hospitals to social media, Google analytics and media reporting. Whilst this data is never linked to a named individual the patterns of behaviours of a number of individuals can build a picture of how interventions can be designed, protocols put in place and policies developed to help inform and train professionals in contact with those who self-harm or are at risk of suicide.

In this episode, Professor Gareth Jenkins, in discussion with Dr Sam Blaxland, reveals how DNA can be mutated, how these mutations cause cancer, and how the chemicals around us, our lifestyle choices and our habits can increase or decrease the likelihood of our DNA mutating and developing into cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Figures suggest 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Despite these statistics, there are measures we can take to protect ourselves by reducing exposure to carcinogenic chemicals which cause DNA mutations. Professor Gareth Jenkins, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Swansea University, is a leading global expert in this field. We also learn of the huge advancements in cancer diagnostic technologies such as liquid biopsies and the identification of biomarkers that flag pre-cancerous conditions. Discover how Gareth's research is pushing innovation to enable the early detection of cancer – the Holy Grail in cancer research for better patient outcomes.

With almost 60% of all plastic ever produced still polluting our planet, there are enormous issues posed by the massive volume of plastic waste present in our environment. However, by repurposing this massive stockpile of plastic waste into something more valuable we can turn this problem into a solution that benefits us all and paves the way for a brighter, cleaner future In this episode, in discussion with Dr Sam Blaxland, Dr Alvin Orbaek White, formerly an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, unveils the incredible power of plastic waste. As one of the world's foremost experts on nanoengineering, Dr. Orbaek White discusses the ground-breaking potential of waste plastic, and how it can be transformed into valuable materials such as hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These powerful and versatile materials are the future of innovation, used in everything from cables and batteries to MRI scanners. Dr Alvin Orbaek White is formerly an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering and former Welsh Government Sêr Cymru II Fellow at Swansea University. He is also an entrepreneur having recently started up his own company TrimTabs to commercialise the sustainable energy knowledge that he has discovered.

In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, our host Dr Sam Blaxland is joined by 2021 Hillary Rodham Clinton Global Challenges scholars, Felicity Mulford and August Dichter, along with Politics lecturer Dr Bettina Petersohn. Felicity discusses her research, which focuses on mass starvation as a weapon of war, while August shares his research on state sponsored disinformation campaigns and weaponising the internet. Dr Bettina, the programme lead of the new BSc Leadership for Global Challenges, talks about Swansea University’s new undergraduate programme, which is launching this year. She also discusses her own research on cooperation and global challenges, addressed from local, national and international levels. To find out more about research at Swansea University, visit https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/

Children’s physical activity levels are associated with both physiological and psychosocial health. Current physical activity guidelines recommend children to engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. However, despite this, it is estimated that over a third of children fail to meet these recommended guidelines, with a common barrier suggested to be technology. In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, Professor Kelly Mackintosh along with our host, Dr Sam Blaxland discuss the impact COVID-19 has had, specifically on children’s physical activity. They later explore the importance and health benefits associated with exercise and discover how we can all make some positive changes to our lifestyles by embedding physical activity into our daily routines. Professor Mackintosh is primarily interested in children’s physical activity and health, and in particular, school-based interventions. Within this area her work focuses on physical activity measurement and the role of behaviour change in developing physically active young people. Professor Mackintosh is currently the Director of Research Staff for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and leads the Exercise, Medicine and Health Research Group. Her research focusses on physical activity measurement and promotion, with a particular interest and focus in children. To find out more about Swansea University's research, visit https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/

Professor Stuart Macdonald discusses his research into counterterrorism with our host Dr Sam Blaxland in this episode of Exploring Global Problems. The episode explores Stuart’s work on terrorist’ use of the internet, particularly cyberterrorism and online propaganda and radicalisation. Stuart’s most recent work on terrorist propaganda has examined violent jihadist narratives, their dissemination via social media, and legal and policy responses. Prior to this, his work focused on cyberterrorism, examining definitional issues, threat assessment and questions of response. To find out more about Swansea University's research, visit https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/

In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, Professor of Law Yvonne McDermott Rees and 2020 Hillary Rodham Clinton Global Challenges Programme scholars Charlotte Morgan and Andrea Stanišić discuss child poverty, environmental human rights, and how social media evidence can be used for accountability for mass human rights violations. Yvonne’s research focuses on international criminal law, human rights law, and the law of evidence. She recently led a large Economic and Social Research Council-funded project on the use of open-source evidence for human rights fact-finding. Yvonne has published in leading journals including the American Journal of International Law, Leiden Journal of International Law, Journal of International Criminal Justice, International Criminal Law Review, and Law, Probability, and Risk. Charlotte’s research examined whether children in Wales are unable to access their rights due to the socioeconomic disadvantage that they experience, and how this disadvantage has been worsened by Covid-19. She works as a Policy and Public Affairs Intern at British Heart Foundation Cymru, addressing health inequalities in Wales. Andrea conducted research in environmental human rights, exploring developments and trends in the human rights approach to environmental protection. She worked at think tank Centre for Democracy and Human Rights in Montenegro and cooperated with ClientEarth and American Bar Association on research projects. To find out more about Swansea University's research, visit https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/

In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, Professor Serena Margadonna and our host, Dr Sam Blaxland discuss the role of batteries in the fight against climate change and the need for better batteries for a decarbonised society. Her work has been inspired by the simple realisation that major advances in modern technology are always driven by the availability of materials which possess a number of functionalities and are able to operate at different length scales, in harsh conditions such as extremes of pressures/temperature and highly corrosive environments. Professor Margadonna over the years has acquired knowledge and know-how in a number of fields in science starting from her chemical background, indispensable for the design and production of new materials, through condensed matter physics and process engineering. To find out more about Swansea University's research, visit https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/

More and more young people are choosing to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects at University but there still exists a gender imbalance when looking at the number of girls choosing to study Physics post-16. In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, Dr Sarah Roberts and our host, Dr Sam Blaxland discuss the importance of role models and Physics teachers in making the subject more exciting for their pupils, and how astronomy can be used as a hook to inspire and enthuse all school children to study Physics and STEM subjects. They also discuss Dr Robert's own work with the Faulkes Telescope Project, an educational outreach project aimed at engaging young people in science. They talk about the ability of school pupils to carry out real research with real scientists, and what discoveries schools have made using the Faulkes Telescopes. If you would like to learn more about this project, please visit the Faulkes Telescope Project website. More recently, Dr Roberts has had funding from STFC (Science Technology Facilities Council) to run an astronomy outreach project in Wales called 'Stardust Hunters' where primary school children are encouraged to plan scientific investigations, hunting for dust from space in their gardens and school yards. For more information on this project, please visit the Stardust Hunters website.

Could nanotechnology, the technology as small as viruses, found in your mobile phone, see an end to animal testing? It sounds a bit sci-fi, but Professor Shareen Doak and her team thinks the answer is quite literally in the little things. When we say little we mean tiny, smaller than the width of a human hair. In this episode, Professor Doak delves into her team’s world of nano-genotoxicology. Their work looks at how these tiny particles used in day-to-day items, and medicines may cause DNA damage potentially causing cancer. Professor Doak’s work looks at how we can create regulatory tests and tools for nanotechnology as they proliferate in our societies. The tests she is developing are creating better and more reliable ways of testing products with the potential to leave the need to leave animal testing redundant.

The tourism industry has faced many challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also forced the industry to address some difficult questions; from the impact tourism has on sustainability, access to travel to the impact of over-tourism. In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, Dr Maggie Miller and our host, Dr Sam Blaxland discuss the human dimensions of tourism sustainability and the role we play as tourists within the global community. They also consider the potential future of the tourism industry, as well as Maggie’s work and research in Nepal, particularly the role of Sherpas and their absence from much of the external discourse. If you would like to learn more about this topic, watch Maggie’s documentary https://vimeo.com/210223199. They also reference the Netflix documentary Sherpa https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80076001. Most recently, Maggie’s research has focussed on access to and representation within adventure tourism, particularly the role gender plays in determining how people engage with adventure tourism activities and associated entrepreneurial adventures.