Meliora: a podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute

Sophie Vokes, BSc Geography joins us to discuss her research project "Does Crymlyn Bog follow the traditional theory of hydrosphere wetlands?"

Abstract

This study employed macrofossil analysis to investigate environmental changes in Crymlyn Bog (Swansea) and assessed the site's compliance with the conventional hydrosphere hypothesis of wetland succession. Based on distribution and abundance, macrofossil remains from the peat cores were identified and documented, with a particular emphasis on Sphagnum species. With a delayed decline in Sphagnum austinii and drier conditions near the margin mires, the results indicate a departure from earlier studies. The results further...

Eleanor Toppin, BA Geography, joins us to discuss her research project 'A Comparative Study: Exploring Student Consumer Perspectives on the Transition from Non-Ethical to Ethical Fashion Purchases'.

Despite many students having an ethical mindset, they often fail to translate their intentions and attitudes into ethical purchases. This study aims to understand whether sustainability- based education can bridge these behavioural gaps in ethical fashion consumption. It examines students’ desire to shift towards ethical consumption, the challenges they encounter during this transition, and potential strategies to facilitate this change. To assess knowledge’s role, a total of 10 qualitative interviews were...

Sam Atkinson, BSc Geography, joins us to discuss his research project "Is the Siberian Boreal Forest nearing a Tipping Point?"

Abstract

Increasing air temperatures, drought and wildfire is impacting the health of the Siberian Boreal Forest, with the boreal biome being predicted to be replaced by grasslands/steppe. Multiple scholars have referred to this transition as a 'tipping point' however few studies have tested whether any signals of a tipping point are present. Using remote sensing, the health of vegetation in the Siberian Boreal Forest, over the past 30 Summers was assessed. Statistics were calculated from...

Heidi Wheatley, BSc Environmental Science, joins us to discuss her research project "Invasive non-native species impacts on invertebrate communities".

Abstract

Invasive non-native (INN) plants pose an increasing ecological threat worldwide, creating monocultured plant communities and causing ripple effects across various species. Invertebrates are particularly affected due to habitat and food resource alteration, leading to changes in ecosystem services and trophic cascades. However, not all INN plants exert the same influence, and effects differ depending on species and invasion area, with some offering positive outcomes, particularly in urbanised regions with diminished biodiversity. Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis...

Darius Printer, BA Geography, joins us to discuss his research project "Left Behind Places as an Explanation for Geographies of Political Discontent - explaining right-wing populism rising trends"

Abstract 

My Thesis is about mapping political discontent in the UK through the rise of RUK. Using ArcGIS I plotted left-behind neighbourhoods identified by the OSCII study in 2019 who were concerned with the most deprived areas in the UK in order to allocate the Stronger Towns Fund of £2 billion in the most deprived areas in the UK. My Thesis used electoral data to compare these left behind ne...

Julia Dines, BSc Environmental Science, joins us to discuss her research project "Growth vs Conservation - how can trekking tourism in Nepal adapt to a sustainable future?"

Abstract

The Himalayas are facing an ultimatum: limit trekking or lose the beauty of the mountains to environmental degradation, water contamination and waste accumulation. This research project aims to identify ways in which stakeholders can adapt their practices to protect the Himalayas, and their livelihoods, against climate change and anthropogenic destruction. To address these complex issues, four key stakeholder groups were researched using a mixed- methods approach. Data...

Ethan Dennis, BSc Psychology joins us to discuss his research into the role of sub-clinical narcissism in the climate crisis, investigating the research on the relationship between narcissism and pro-environmental behaviour, and how this can be remedied. 

Three types of narcissism are examined: grandiose, vulnerable and communal. Literature suggests grandiose narcissists are detrimental to the environment, with communal narcissists claiming to be more environmental than they actually are. Research on the conspicuous consumption of material goods and the experiential consumption within tourism is analysed for each form of narcissism, within the context of the environment. Two potential w...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are discussing “Food for Thought: Rethinking Meat for a Sustainable Future”.  Globally, we consume around 350 million tons of meat a year. Problems concerned with the future of our planet, the welfare of animals, and our health all come to mind because of this. In 2015, the WHO categorised red meat as carcinogenic to humans (Marinova, 2019) but this is yet to act as the wake-up call it should be to encourage people to rethink their diet.

Host: Lily 

Guest: Kenton 

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are discussing the impact of meat production and the potential of lab-grown meat as a sustainable alternative. We discuss the current and future projections of sustainability challenges in relation to the widespread consumption of meat-incorporated diets. We will be discussing the pros of the newly emerging product of lab-made meats and the positive impacts they could have on reducing this burden.  We highlight some of the challenges of introducing lab-made meats to the public, considering market potential and cultural impact, to show how they are not an effective o...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are discussing the impacts and sustainability of a meat tax on society. The three aspects we will be exploring are the social, economic and environmental impacts. Implementing a meat-tax based on the Carbon Footprint of a product can lead to reduced consumer spending and therefore decreased demand and production of these high-carbon foods. We are going to explore what this would look like in practice and whether this will have positive impacts regarding climate change and working towards achieving a number of the Sustainable Development Goals

...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we will be discussing Feeding the Trends: who's controlling what's on your plate. We will look at ultra processed foods and government inaction, government schemes and legislation controlling what is on our plate, and why and how social media is the biggest controller of the food we consume.

Host: Tejal 

Guests: Jessica, Mia and Megan 

In this episode, we will be discussing some of the sustainability issues surrounding the food delivery industry. We may not be able to cover the topic in full but aim to highlight some key areas of concern and offer some insight into these areas.

Host: Alfie

Guests: Jamie, Akshyan, Jamie

Welcome to the Meliora podcast, from the Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton. This episode is part of the Global Sustainability Challenges module student takeover season where are discussing the sustainability impacts of university socials and nightlife.

Host: Cian 

Guests: Lucy, Natalie and Alex

Welcome to the Meliora podcast, brought to you by the Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton. This episode is part of the Student Takeover Season, produced for the Global Sustainability Challenges module where we debate some critical social justice aspects of 15-minute city concept, to conclude how it might be sustainably implemented in Southampton, UK.

Host: Joseph

Guests: Ruby and Trinity

Welcome to the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton. This episode is part of the Global Sustainability Challenges module student takeover season where we discuss the opportunities and challenges of ecotourism in the Arctic. 

Host: Luc 

Guests: Joe and Megan

Welcome to this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season where we explore a groundbreaking urban development project that's sparked a global debate: The Line in Saudi Arabia. Today, we'll evaluate its sustainability impact, both in the short and long term, through the lens of sustainability.

The Line is located in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia, stretching approximately 170 kilometres from the Red Sea coast towards the desert interior. It’s a key part of the $500 billion NEOM project, an ambitious venture led by the Saudi Arabians Public Investment Fund. 

The structure will be...

Welcome to Beyond The Clouds (The Impact of Vapes), a Meliora podcast episode from the Global Sustainability Challenges module students takeover season, where we will be discussing the impact of vapes from an environmental and socio-economic perspective in relation to SDG 12: Sustainable consumption and production. 

Host: Alexander

Guests: Millie, Will, Xinye, Swayam, and Eleanor

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss equity in medical care in this short but sweet episode. This topic came to our interest due to both recent events in the world of healthcare, and its role as a proxy for many of the Sustainability Development Goals beyond just “good health and well-being”. For example, you can't have good health and well-being without food and clean water, equity and global partnerships.

Host: Joseph 

Guests: Bobby, Adchaya, George and Jack

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss the invisible threat to our planet and sustainability … antibiotic resistance.

Host: Harry 

Guests: Flo, Holly and Bess

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we explore if vertical farming could be a sustainable solution to Britain's Food Supply Crisis. Join us as we delve into the environmental impacts of importing fruit and vegetables into the UK and discover if vertical farming has the potential to solve these issues

Host: Cat

Guests: Alice and Eve

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss sustainability within international sporting events. Join us as we explore the environmental and socioeconomic impacts these events may bring, as well as how they contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they can continue to do so into the future.

Host: Ellen

Guests: Jazz, Anna and Isla

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are going to talk about sustainability in research. With a global push towards sustainability such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) there’s a growing conversation around whether scientists have an obligation to conduct research in ways that minimize environmental impact.

Host: Julian

Guests:  Bronwyn and Jake

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we’re going to be discussing UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (clean and affordable energy). But also looking at the power of the atom: Can nuclear save the planet?

So why is this topic relevant now? With global energy demands rising, sustainability and energy are a hot topic at international events like CERAWeek, which is one of the most influential international conferences of the energy sector, and just recently over 10,000 officials and top world leaders discussed the future of energy where the most debated topic in energy was ba...

Welcome to the Meliora podcast from the Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton. This episode is part of the Global Sustainability Challenges Module Student Takeover Season where we discuss ‘toxic colonialism’. 

We explore disturbing form of modern exploitation, where wealthy developed nations offload their hazardous waste onto less developed countries. It's cheap, convenient, and out of sight for waste-producing nations, but the consequences for the receiving countries is devastating. 

We’ll explore how toxic colonialism has evolved from historical colonial exploitation; examine shocking case-studies, including recent incidents and discuss the impact on vulnerab...

In this opening episode of the Meliora Student Takeover Season we’re tackling the California wildfires—with a focus on Los Angeles—and what they reveal about a growing sustainability crisis. With lives, ecosystems, and the future of our planet at stake, wildfires are leaving a trail of devastation across the globe— from loss of life and property to widespread environmental and economic disruption. In regions like Southern California, once-seasonal fires are becoming longer, hotter, and more destructive, threatening lives, wildlife, and vital infrastructure.

This crisis isn’t just a natural hazard—it’s a sustainability emergency. It directly ch...

Welcome to the second part of an episode covering our recently published book 'Perspectives and Practices of Education for Sustainable Development: a critical guide for Higher Education Part 1' where the editors Rehema White, Simon Kemp, Liz Price and Jim Longhurst discuss the purpose of the book, where it came from, and an overview of each of the chapters. 

This episode covers chapter 7 'Innovating Assessment for Education for Sustainable Development (Simon Kemp and Rehema White), chapter 8 'Sustainability Research, Teaching and Practice: Towards Transdisciplinary Knowledge Co-Production in Universities (Rehema White, Clare Saunders and Zoe Robinson), chapter 9 'Leadership and G...

Welcome to the first part of an episode covering our recently published book 'Perspectives and Practices of Education for Sustainable Development: a critical guide for Higher Education Part 1' where the editors Rehema White, Simon Kemp, Liz Price and Jim Longhurst discuss the purpose of the book, where it came from, and an overview of each of the chapters. 

This episode covers chapter 1 'Introduction: A Book to Co-Create Sustainable Futures'  (Simon Kemp), chapter 2 'Education for Sustainable Development: Definitions, Debates and Design' (Liz Price and Rehema White), chapter 3 'Towards a Sustainable University: People, Purpose and Paradigm Shifts'  (Zoe Rob...

We have a real treat for you on this episode of the Meliora Podcast! We recently had the privilege of spending a couple of hours chatting with the truly inspirational Felicity Aston, Polar Explorer - http://www.felicityaston.co.uk. We promise you will be blown away by Felicity's expeditions, the transformative impact she has had on the lives of so many women, her life in Iceland, and her ongoing research based at the University of Southampton.  

Enough words. Stop reading this and listen to Felicity. We promise you won't be disappointed!

Episode Guest: Felicity A...

We are joined by Heléna Pūce, one of the up and coming Sustainability stars in the South of England, on the Meliora Podcast from The Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton to discuss her journey from her undergraduate studies, masters degree, her first role with Siemens and her current position of Senior Environmental Advisor at DP World Southampton. We also address the exciting sustainability work being undertaken across DP World and  assess the current and future positive impact.  

Episode guest: Helena Puce

Episode host: Prof...

We are joined for this episode of the Meliora podcast by Samuel Inkster, Grace Cheung, Mohammad Idrus and Adchaya Apputhurai, four University of Southampton undergraduate students from Enactus Southampton to discuss their inspiring 'Seeds for Thought' programme where they are applying innovative approaches in tackling childhood obesity.

In this episode Samuel, Grace, Mohammad and Adchaya talk about the inspiring work of Enactus along with the origins, successes and future plans for their brilliant Seed for Thought programme.

Episode guests: Samuel Inkster, Grace Cheung, Mohammad Idrus and Adchaya Apputhurai

Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp<...

One of the leading Sustainability practitioners in the South of England, Jason Light joins us on the Meliora Podcast from The Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton where we chat about how he developed his high impact sustainability career across local authorities and the NHS, his wonderful approach to 'nudging' senior leaders to sustainability change, his plans for the future, and his ideas around dogs, owners and climate education. 

Listen to learn about developing a career as a sustainability leader, stay for Jason's idea around dogs, owners, trainers, a...

There are many exciting ways to learn about sustainability, so we thought we would attempt a rather different episode of the Meliora podcast.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit is a two-hour class as part of the UOSM2043 Global Sustainability Challenges module at the University of Southampton where students work in groups to represent different parts of the world and reach agreement on what SDGs should be prioritised at an international level.  I could go into lots of waffly detail about the summit preparation, operation, negotiation, voting and the pedagogies behind this learning tool, but it's a f...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from The Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we chat with the brilliant Dr Keiron Roberts about how he developed his career as an academic, his work on decarbonisation in the Port of Portsmouth and microplastics, and how he was lucky enough to go and work in Antarctica! 

This is a great episode where we get to chat to one of our most impactful alumni and hear about all the different dimensions of his inspirational work and the creativity behind it.  We...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we embark on a wide-ranging discussion around climate anxiety and the challenges of multigenerational sustainability with our SRI Director Prof Craig Hutton, and our Communications Interns Alex Ayerst and Hannah Parish.

This is a thought provoking episode and we recognise that there may be some points you disagree with, yet also support some others.  That is the purpose of academia.  To challenge and debate is crucial in the sustainability sphere, and in this episode we looked to get the perspectives of...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we welcome not just one, but two of our brilliant academics Dr Vicky Dominguez Almela and Dr Sien Van Der Plank to discuss their fascinating work investigating how Sargassum is affecting coastal communities in West Africa and the Caribbean. You will be thinking 'I never knew seaweed could be so interesting!'

Our chat covers Sien and Vicky's careers to date, how they became interested in sustainability, their fascinating research, links to the SRI, and how their work is having...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we welcome the brilliant academic Dr Ellie Atayee-Bennett to discuss her work on the links between faith, veganism and sustainable behaviours.

Our chat covers Ellie's whole journey, how and why she became interested in sustainability, her fascinating research, her links to the SRI, and the plans for her academic career and future research.  

Ellie is an all-round wonderful person, provides a great example of the crucial work  conducted by early-career researchers, and will be an important academic working in...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we have a great chat with two leading lights in the growing field of sustainability in sport - Caroline Carlin and Cece Liu.

Our relaxed chat covers Caroline and Cece's backgrounds, how and why they became interested in sustainability, their work at Southampton FC and university respectively, and their current work at leading sustainability in sport company e-novation consulting

Caroline is someone I've always greatly enjoyed working with from her time at the mighty Saints, and it was...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we have a lovely, fascinating chat with another of our most wonderful and high-impact alumni - the amazing Stephanie Todd, Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability at Kingston University.

Our relaxed chat covers Stephanie's background, how and why she became dedicated to sustainability, her ridiculously impressive impact as a young college student, her excellent university contributions, and why it's so important to grab every opportunity that happens to come your way. We then move to discuss her time at Qinetiq, followed...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (SRI) at the University of Southampton we explore the intersections between theatre and sustainability.  We are joined by Victoria Briggs to discuss the development of her ambitious and exciting new theatre project, Earth Mother. 
 
This is an eye-opening discussion addressing an area of critical importance in how we tackle sustainability challenges through a lesser-explored lens.  Some of the most exciting work in the sustainability sector is happening through the arts so we hope you will enjoy this episode. 

To book a ticket to the w...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (SRI) at the University of Southampton we (virtually) travel to Ghana for a discussion on Climate Change and Health research, collaboration, community engagement, and outcomes with Dr Michael Head and Jessica Boxall. 
 
This is a fascinating discussion with many lightbulb moments that are only possible through the engagement, support and personal stories approach taken by Michael and Jessica over their many years of working in Ghana.

Episode guests: Dr Michael Head & Jessica Boxall
Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp (SRI Deputy Director)
Ep...