How does an academic get started in podcasting? Why would they want to get behind the mic? How can it benefit their scholarship and career? Following on from a very busy academic podcasting workshop at SETU, Stacey Copeland of the University of Groningen joined Jenny O’Connor and Bruce Wardrop (both SETU) and 9plus host Rob O’Connor in studio to reflect on the session while thoughts were fresh in their heads.
This workshop was funded by the National Forum for Teaching & Learning Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) scheme. https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/funding/#!/Funding-Calls
LinkedIn profiles if you wish to follow up with any of the people on the podcast:
A number of sources/materials are referenced throughout the conversation, which you can find here.
Websites
Books
Podcasts
Jenny references two episodes of her podcast The Nerve during the conversation, which are worth listening to:
Bruce talks about the Irish Sports and Exercise Science Association podcast, which can be found here https://podfollow.com/1718947005/
Rob talks about some “complex” or “hi-fi” audio piece. This documentary is a good example. ‘Gianluca Wants a Record Player’ https://pod.fo/e/f09f2
What’s the difference between misinformation and disinformation? Where does it all come from? Why are we talking about it so much? What effect does it have on individuals and society? What can we do about it?
All of these questions (and more) are explored in a fascinating discussion between John Balfe (SETU), Steph Hanlon (Carlow College) and 9plus host Rob O’Connor (SETU).
LinkedIn profiles if you wish to follow up with any of the people:
A number of sources/materials are referenced throughout the conversation, which you can find here.
Debunking Misconceptions About Refugee Men in Ireland: A Research-Based Approach by John Balfe https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/debunking-misconceptions-refugee-men-ireland-approach-john-balfe-l71tc
Responding to Roscrea - Addressing the Immigration Debate in Ireland: A Thorough Analysis by John Balfe https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/responding-roscrea-addressing-immigration-debate-ireland-john-balfe-omfae/
Weaponizing Violence Against Women: The Far-Right’s Use of Moral Panics and the Politics of Fear by Stephanie Hanlon https://rupture.ie/articles/weaponizing-violence-against-women-the-far-rights-use-of-moral-panics
Equitas. EDI in Practice in Higher Education Conference https://tus.ie/edi/practice-in-higher-education-conference/
Naomi Klein's Book 'Doppelgänger - a trip into the mirror world' - Link to Penguin publishers here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453962/doppelganger-by-klein-naomi/9780241621301 It is also available as an audiobook to those who subscribe on Spotify.
Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” - a good summary of the concepts is here on the UCC website https://praxisucc.ie/3299/
The book is also available here on Easons - https://www.easons.com/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed-paulo-freire-9780241301111
Douglas, K. M., & Sutton, R. M. (2018). Why conspiracy theories matter: A social psychological analysis. European Review of Social Psychology, 29(1), 256–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2018.1537428
Jolley, D. and Douglas, K.M., 2014. The social consequences of conspiracism: Exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one's carbon footprint. British Journal of Psychology, 105(1), pp.35-56. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjop.12018?casa_token=af96TGua2UYAAAAA%3ACN93eG8fgqxPf9w-cswY-WsAdX35Nx31Amy5nv-Ic5_cfhjUfyGgqWhCYb_EK56uSrD2auz26fWgsw0
Bogo, M., & Wayne, J. (2013). The Implicit Curriculum in Social Work Education: The Culture of Human Interchange. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 33(1), 2–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2012.746951
John Milton - As Satan famously declares in Paradise Lost: “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (1.263). A link to the poem - https://poets.org/poem/paradise-lost-book-i-lines-221-270
Johnny Rotten's quote from Rise by 'Public Image Limited' - "Anger is an energy' lyric - https://youtu.be/Vq7JSic1DtM
Lynn Ruane speaking on the spent conviction reform in full context that was shortened on Tiktok - video in full context - https://youtu.be/H_GhyEvFXqM
Finally, when finding you groove in academia here is a good visual - "The Homer ass grove' - https://youtu.be/iSVMW3jZcg4?si=wUPdAafjBMoB1IWr
Engineering lecturer PJ Cregg recently delivered a captivating talk exploring the intersection of science and art through photography. In this episode, PJ and Rob O’Connor delve into various physical laws depicted in photography, including light reflections and refractions, crepuscular rays (rays of sunlight), and rainbows. They also discuss PJ's research on topics ranging from Claude Shannon’s Information Theory to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, highlighting the connections between the arts and the sciences.
This episode is inspired by the Mathematics and Physics Seminar series, which has been a cornerstone of intellectual discourse in SETU (and previously WIT and WRTC) since the 1980s (estimated).
Led by the double-act of Dr. Tom Farrelly (MTU) and Ken McCarthy (SETU), we discuss the N-TUTORR project, which seeks to transform student experience of higher education in the Technological University sector nationally. We delve into some of Tom’s recent research around the use of Artificial Intelligence systems in education and also discuss the Gasta presentation style, championed by Tom.
Here are some links to resources mentioned during the podcast:
Autonomous Systems are the jumping off point for this podcast episode with Indrakshi Dey of the Walton Institute at SETU. We talk about how computer science research is progressing in this area, encompassing the world of AI and forming links with partners across all disciplines. This leads on to a chat about how we (humans) tend to anthropomorphise Artificial Intelligence systems. We also discuss Indrakshi’s career to date and how being a woman of colour has given her unique insight across the sector.
Here are some links if you wish to follow up the podcast:
As we approach International Women’s Day, we discuss the Roses From The Heart project which explores the stories of women and young girls forcibly transported to Australia from places like Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Artist Dr. Christina Henri describes how her project came about and the impact it has had over its 20 year life span. Christina was in Waterford to link up with partners in SETU and the wider community in Waterford.
Here are some links to resources mentioned during the podcast:
We talk about all things “open access” with David Kane from the SETU library. David talks about how research was published in the past and explains why there’s been a shift towards open access publishing over the last number of years. He describes various models of open access publishing and talks about how your University’s library can likely help you achieve open access publishing. The concept of citation is also discussed, which may be especially useful for undergraduate students or individuals new to research.
Here are some links to resources mentioned during the podcast:
In this episode, we have an interview with Nick McCarthy and David Devaney about sustainability and land sciences. Both are members of the EIRC (Eco-Innovation Research Centre) at SETU. Nick’s specialist area is forestry and David’s is agriculture and soil science. They talk about some of the climate change challenges facing Ireland (and the world!) and how science is helping us create more sustainable models for biodiversity, agriculture and forestry management. Nick and David are both enthusiastic speakers who really engage with the topics. Rob also learns some stuff, such as what the word “silviculture” means and the difference between agriculture and horticulture!
· Information on the Echo-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC) is available https://www.wit.ie/research/centres_and_groups/Eco_Innovation_Centre1
· Dr. Nick McCarthy’s staff profile https://www.wit.ie/about_wit/contact_us/staff_directory/nicholas_mccarthy
· Dr. David Devaney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-devaney-wit/
Embarking on an educational journey as a 'mature' student (officially over 23 years old) can be a daunting experience. But how does this transition manifest in the postgraduate realm? In this episode, we feature two PhD students, Steve Daly and Nicola Briggs, who chose to return to education later in life. Both have progressed beyond their undergraduate studies and have delved into the realm of research.
Steve and Nicola share their enthusiasm for their research projects focused on physical health and activity. Beyond discussing their academic pursuits, they reflect on the profound impact of returning to education on their personal and family lives.
You can learn more about the projects discussed in the podcast at these websites:
In this episode we talk about Science Week and the SURE Network. Science Week is a European initiative supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to promote science and scientific enquiry among the entire population. The SURE Network is a group that enhances practice in scientific disciplines at Undergraduate levels across Ireland. Both of these initiatives aim to make science more accessible for people away from the post-graduate sphere.
The panel is made up of Sheila Donegan from SETU’s CALMAST group (working directly on Science Week), Claire Lennon who works with the SURE Network and Emma Kearney, a recent SETU graduate who took part in last year’s SURE conference.
For the first episode of the new series, we’re talking about the Portalis pilot project, led by SETU Humanities, which finished up in September 2023. Portalis mapped the story of the earliest connections between Ireland and Wales, dating back to the Mesolithic period (~10,000 years ago). The project explored how those first settlers adapted to their surroundings in order to survive and sought to understand whether there are any parallels with how we can adapt to climate change now.
Rob O’Connor spoke with project members Denise O’Meara and Jody Power in studio, while also including a conversation with geoarchaeology specialist Joseph Shuldenrein in New York.
For more information on the project and its outputs, please visit portalisproject.eu. Portalis, €1.95m, supported by €1.5m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme.
PURE is a new Current Research Information Systems (CRIS) that has been rolled out in SETU. Anyone writing a funding proposal or managing a research project will be interacting with this system. Susie Cullinane and Jonathan Brazil from the Research Support Unit (RSU) sat down with Rob O'Connor to discuss what PURE is, why it's being used and the benefits it will bring to researchers. The conversation also turned to related topics such as Open Access Research.
For more information on PURE and the Research Support Unit, please visit the Research at SETU landing page http://setu.ie/research
Can you turn fish waste into something useful? Yes - by combining biochemistry and engineering! Adriana Cunha Neves and David Culliton talk about their work in creating sustainable bio-degradable plastics from the waste materials of other products, including fish, brewer's grain, leather and more.
You can learn more about Adriana by visiting her profile on the SETU website. You can read more about David or get in contact, by checking out his profile. You can learn more about host Rob O'Connor here. Follow the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast
Microscopic nematodes! Soil ecology! Environmental Science! Aristotle! It's all in in here, as Dr. Thomae Kakouli-Duarte spoke with Rob O'Connor about her professional career to date, starting out studying crop production in Greece, obtaining a post-grad in the UK and now the director of enviroCORE at SETU Carlow. Thomae's enthusiasm for science and environment is profoundly obvious as she brings the subjects to life during the podcast. You'll come away appreciating the importance of those tiny flatworms - nematodes.
You can learn more about Thomae and her work by viewing her profile on the SETU website.
In this episode, musician and SETU lecturer Mark Graham talks with Rob O’Connor about ethics in the music industry. Mark’s research into this topic is tying together his extensive experience as a professional musician and his academic role at SETU. During the podcast, Mark lays out some common music business practices that could be deemed unethical. Mark is currently researching towards a PhD, with a provisional title of “Moving Towards Ethical and Sustainable Music Industry Practice.”
If you want to learn more about Mark’s work, you can listen to his Irish Music Industry podcast which is available on most podcasting platforms. You might also like to catch up with King Kong Company, the band he used to play with. Their channel on YouTube contains a lot of videos of their work and the band's music is available on most streaming platforms. You can catch up with Mark on Twitter @IreMusPod. Follow 9plus on Twitter @9pluspodcast
This episode of 9plus has been produced as companion piece for an upcoming special collection issue of the Journal of Research in Nursing which will focus on ‘Nursing during difficult times’. The podcast is a collaboration between staff and postgraduate students of SETU and Glasgow Caledonian University, in which they talk about how their PhD research was impacted by the COVID pandemic, how their Nursing & Health-related studies were forced to adapt and what lessons might be learned if another untoward event were to occur. The panel is comprised of Mark White, Patricia Hunt, Teresa Dowling (SETU) and Gordon Hill, Matilde Pieri and Ciara Marie Ryan (GCU).
For more information on the Journal of Research in Nursing, please visit https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jrn
Two researchers from the designCORE group based on the SETU Carlow campus, sat down with Rob O'Connor to discuss the general topic of "design." What is design? Why is it important? How does it impact on research projects? What about the field of design research itself? PJ White and Brian Casey bring the conversation to life through their clear communication and obvious enthusiasm for the field. An enlightening conversation that could benefit a researcher in any discipline.
Learn more about the designCORE group at designcore.ie. PJ White is on Twitter @pjwhitedesign and Brian Casey can be found on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/brian-casey-16810b66
Follow 9plus on Twitter at twitter.com/9pluspodcast. You can find Rob O’Connor on Twitter twitter.com/roboconnor_irl or on Mastodon mastodon.ie/@roboconnor
SETU’s Vice President of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Allison Kenneally and Susan Flynn (Head of Dept. of Arts) join Rob O'Connor to talk about the topic of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in research and university practice. They talk about the importance of EDI with respect to gaining a wider perspective on research works, as well as the role EDI plays in funding applications. They discuss their own careers to date and outline how an EDI lens frames their work. In her role as VP for EDI, Allison offers a unique perspective on these matters. Also, Susan discusses a book she recently edited “Equality in the City: Imaginaries of the Smart Future” which is a collection of academic essays that seeks to engender debate as to how future cities will operate from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The book is available as an open access publication via OAPEN. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/59174
Follow 9plus on Twitter at twitter.com/9pluspodcast. You can find Rob O’Connor on Twitter twitter.com/curlybert or on Mastodon mastodon.ie/@roboconnor
Prof. John Nolan is the founder and chair of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI based in Waterford. His research group studies the role of nutrition in vision health and the prevention of blindness, particularly around age-related macular degeneration which is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. John spoke candidly about his research ambitions, the groups of people working with him and his plans for the future, John also offered some excellent insights into research as a career path (and the drawback that also entail).
You can learn more about the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland at nrci.ie. John keeps a personal page at profjohnnolan.com. For more information about the 9plus podcast, please contact Rob O'Connor via any of the usual channels. You can also find the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast
SETU researchers Dr. Una Kealy and Dr. Kate McCarthy have been involved in research around early 20th century Irish playwright and author Teresa Deevy or some time. Most recently, they are running a project Lyrical Bodies which involves a collaboration with visual artist Amanda Coogan and the Dublin Theatre of the Deaf. Dr. Jenny O'Connor is involved with the project in her capacity as a maker of digital stories, a relatively new medium through which research outputs are disseminated. The podcast gives an overview of Deevy's life and times, her struggles as a feminist writer in early 20th century Ireland and her experiences as a deafened artist. The panel also discuss the Lyrical Bodies project and how that collaboration came about.
This podcast also dovetails with a Mind the Gap Films documentary about Teresa Deevy featuring Amanda Coogan and the Dublin Theatre of the Deaf, which was partly shot in SETU and includes contributions from Una, Kate and Jenny. "Tribute: The Teresa Deevy Story" is broadcast on RTE television on Thursday 10th November 2022 at 10.15pm and will be available on the RTE Player afterwards.
This podcast is also a fist attempt by the SETU podcast team to create a Deaf-accessible podcast. A multi-camera video of the studio recording of the podcast is available (with captions) and another video with an Irish Sign Language (ISL) overlay. A full text transcription of the podcast is also available.
Links:
Captioned Video: https://youtu.be/sZUrYTbO0UE
Video with ISL translation: https://youtu.be/5G2C4G_rsXo
Full text transcription: https://bit.ly/3UvTxfY