Public lecture podcasts

Returning to Uni

In this short episode, Katherine is joined by two students and Dr Steven Davies, Placements Tutor for Physics, to discuss the return from placement, and how students can prepare for the next transition a placement can bring.

Prof Phil Scraton: Bearing witness to the 'pain of others'

Professor Phil Scraton (Professor Emeritus, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast) discusses the responsibility of academic researchers and human rights advocates to proclaim and represent the ‘view from below’ – voices of those silenced by powerful institutions in securing truth, justice and acknowledgement. Drawing on three decades of research with and within communities – investigating the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath, the inhumanities of incarceration and the systemic denial of prisoners’ rights, and the disappearances of babies from mother and baby institutions – he addresses the political, ethical and personal challenges to bearing witness to the ‘pain of others’. He explores the proposition that critical voices are the foundation of hope, resistance and redress in their commitment to truth recovery, social justice and political transformation. This IPR/Centre for the Study of Violence event took place on 19 June 2025.

A conversation with Rubén Blades: The Disappeared of History Global Webinar Series

In the inaugural event of 'The Disappeared of History Global Webinar Series', we hosted renowned Panamanian musician, songwriter, activist, and former politician Rubén Blades. A Latin music icon, Blades was at the heart of the New York salsa revolution in the 1970s. His landmark albums in classic Afro-Cuban salsa are infused with elements of rock, jazz, pan-Latin, and global influences. He has won 12 Grammy Awards and 12 Latin Grammy Awards. During this webinar, he focused on "Desapariciones" (Disappearances), a song he released in 1984. It is widely regarded as a powerful musical testament to the issue of forced disappearances in Latin America, particularly during the dictatorships and armed conflicts that plagued the region in the 1970s and 1980s. That this Blades anthem has been picked up and adapted by so many artists speaks to the way both the violent practice and the artistic response transcend space and time. Against death, such music becomes a dance for dignity — bringing poetry and politics together to compose a more just future. Blades writes songs for the disappeared, so those who cannot speak might still be heard. *Information correct at time of production. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Read our full disclaimer.

How to get a horse on a treadmill (Dr Polly McGuigan)

We close off the series by welcoming Dr Polly McGuigan, the Head of the Department for Health and Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, who gives us an overview of our research profile that underpins our undergraduate programmes. Polly also shares her own multi-species research that explores how the musculoskeletal system determines, adapts and becomes specialised to tasks in both humans and animals. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Life beyond Bath (part 2) the HES graduates’ stories (Health and Exercise Science graduates, Amalia and Ellie)

Two of our Health and Exercise Science graduates, Amalia and Ellie, join the podcast to discuss their time at the University, their pivotal placement years and explain how this informed and inspired their career choices in the nutrition industry and physiotherapy. Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer