This week Life Solved has a special one-off episode looking at INC-4. We unpack the fourth session of Global Plastics Treaty talks that recently took place in Canada - where global policymakers, charities, experts, and businesses sat down to work out how to end plastic pollution. In her opening address, United Nations Environment Programme Chief, Inger Andersen, said to stop plastic pollution, we need to start at the start and end at the end. Sounds simple, but many fear these meetings create mo...
May 22, 2024•30 min•Season 14Ep. 7
In this episode we chat to two researchers who travelled to one of the most remote inhospitable regions on the planet, in the pursuit of science. Professor Fay Couceiro and Dr Clare Boston from the University of Portsmouth travelled 7,000 nautical miles onboard a Royal Navy ship during its annual trip to the frozen continent of Antarctica. We find out why they were there, what they saw, and what life at sea is really like. We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questio...
May 01, 2024•21 min•Season 14Ep. 6
Instead of keeping nature out, architects around the world are looking at innovative ways to work with environments to help reduce the planet’s carbon footprint. To mark World Earth Day (April 22), this episode explores the transformative power of design and the impact of architecture on building a safe and sustainable future. We’re joined by Dr Phevos Kallitsis, Associate Head of the Portsmouth School of Architecture, and Dr Antonino Di Raimo is a Reader in Architecture at the University of Por...
Apr 24, 2024•18 min•Season 14Ep. 5
To mark UN English Language Day (23 April), we consider how English became one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. And we find out how a mathematical model developed at the University of Portsmouth might predict its future. Dr Mario Saraceni, Associate Professor in English Language and Linguistics, explains how English spread and changed around the globe, and why speakers overseas influence how it’s spoken here in the UK. Dr James Burridge, Associate Professor in Probability and S...
Apr 18, 2024•25 min•Season 14Ep. 4
What does sport, science, the sea, and space all have in common? While this sounds like the start of a bad joke, the answer is actually the GB Row challenge. Using state-of-the-art equipment, rowers were able to gather incredible insights into the state of our ocean on their 2,000 mile journey. We've caught up with Maggie Hodge, one of the rowers from GB Row's all-women Team Ithaca , and Laura Fantuzzi , a data analyst from the University of Portsmouth and 2024 competitor. In the episode, fi...
Apr 04, 2024•19 min•Season 14Ep. 3
In this episode, we peer inside a place that most people want to be kept out of, but one University of Portsmouth researcher has worked hard to get into - prisons. Professor Francis Pakes from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice purposefully incarcerated himself in an Icelandic prison for two weeks to find out what life on the inside is really like. For Life Solved, he looks at how incarceration has evolved over time, what current systems are in place around the world, and what ...
Mar 28, 2024•26 min•Season 14Ep. 2
EPISODE 01: What will happen when there’s no water left to drink? TX DATE: 21 March 2024 Water is our most precious resource; it underpins all aspects of life. But despite this, experts warn many of us around the world could be faced with the prospect of running out of fresh water. To mark World Water Day, in this episode we’ll be speaking to researchers from the University of Portsmouth, to find out what’s being done to help shift water habits, both here and further afield, to ensure a more sus...
Mar 21, 2024•22 min•Season 14Ep. 1
This is the time of year when the Christmas bills start arriving through the letterbox and with national economies continuing to struggle in many places of the world, January might be feeling something of a challenge for you. Dr Robert Gausden is a senior lecturer in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance and Dr Joe Cox is Associate Professor of Digital Economy at the University of Portsmouth. In this episode they explain the key economic terms that we need to understand. What the chall...
Jan 25, 2024•24 min•Season 13Ep. 8
For many of us, January is the time for New Year’s resolutions, whether that be cutting out chocolate, carbs or coffee. But to what extent do our cravings come down to smell? In this episode, we explore the science of smells, and how our noses tell us more about the world than we often give them credit for. Dr Lorenzo Stafford is Associate Professor in Psychobiological Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. He will be helping us explore how understanding aromas can be a key part in treating...
Jan 11, 2024•18 min•Season 13Ep. 7
In this episode, we explore the concept of democracy – and ask whether it’s under threat. Leila Choukroune is Professor of International Law and Director of the Democratic Citizenship Thematic Area at the University of Portsmouth, whilst Daniel Bedford is Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for the Law School. At a time when democracy seems particularly at risk, we take a look at its history, what is happening today – and, assuming we want to continue to live in a democratic world, how to ensure ...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min•Season 13Ep. 6
In this episode, we discover how social media is increasingly a breeding ground for so-called ‘Incel’ content, perpetuating misinformation, misogyny, sexism and even violence – and increasingly accessible on mainstream platforms. Anda Solea is a PhD researcher and Teaching Fellow, and together with Dr Lisa Sugiura, Associate Professor in Cybercrime & Gender in the School of Criminology & Justice at the University Of Portsmouth, you’ll hear why we should all be concerned and the steps tha...
Nov 23, 2023•24 min•Season 13Ep. 5
In this episode, whilst many of us talk about ‘UFOs’, we take a fresh look at the rebranded term ‘unidentified anomalous phenomena’ (UAPs). This comes as NASA investigates many years’ worth of seemingly out of this world sightings. Dr Chris Pattison is a research software engineer at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, and also hosts a popular YouTube channel discussing all things ‘space’ (link below). In this podcast, you’ll hear how NASA is getting on with it...
Nov 16, 2023•19 min•Season 13Ep. 4
In this episode, we take a look at seaside towns. Often portrayed in books and films as being a unique combination of pleasure and danger, the modern day coastal town carries a lot of its past alongside the challenges of the current day. Associate Professor, Dr Tom Sykes & Dr Louis Netter from the University of Portsmouth have collaborated to produce a book called ‘Coast Of Teeth’, exploring Britain’s seaside towns through words and pictures. You’ll hear how they used a method called ‘psycho...
Nov 09, 2023•24 min•Season 13Ep. 3
In this episode, we explore the real risks of nuclear radiation – and how incorrect information can cause unnecessary concern. You might have read about Japan’s Fukushima power plant releasing its wastewater into the Pacific Ocean – and potentially some of the accusations or fears around the decision. But often it’s misinformation and lack of understanding that leads to negative news stories – with the reality of radiation being very different to what we might read. Professor Jim Smith from the ...
Nov 02, 2023•21 min•Season 13Ep. 2
To celebrate the start of season 13 of Life Solved, and as we record this just a few days before Halloween, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of horror. And what better way to record the episode, than at one of the most haunted places in Portsmouth, The New Theatre Royal. Dr Rebecca Janicker, Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth, explores the history of the horror genre, the development of scary movies, TV shows and computer games, and how it refl...
Oct 26, 2023•26 min•Season 13Ep. 1
AI and the likes of Chat GPT are possibly the biggest technological development of our age – and the subject of much discussion. But with artificial intelligence evolving at speed, this episode asks what the dangers and benefits are; both now and in the future? And if you’re still grappling with understanding what AI actually is, we tackle that too. From the creative arts to governments trying to keep up with legislation, the world of Artificial Intelligence is affecting us all – and 3 experts i...
Sep 28, 2023•25 min•Season 12Ep. 8
In this episode, we take a look at something nearly all expectant parents do – the reading of self-help books – and ask whether the advice they’re picking up is actually teaching unattainable goals. Dr Lexie Scherer is a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth and her research has discovered that parenting manuals can lead to a parent-shaming culture, affecting mothers, fathers and often children as a result. How can online forums and communities create a healthier and more supportive co...
Sep 21, 2023•18 min•Season 12Ep. 7
In this episode, we take a look at something most of us take for granted – the two-day weekend. But are two days enough? Brad Beavan is a professor in social and cultural history at the University of Portsmouth. As you’ll hear, even the weekend as we know it is a relatively new development in the western world. So how did we get to where we are today, how likely is it that we’ll be enjoying a four-day working week any time soon, and how do both employees and employers feel about it? We’d love yo...
Sep 14, 2023•24 min•Season 12Ep. 6
With World EV Day on the 9th of September, in this episode we’re looking at the power behind electric vehicles – the batteries themselves. As more of us consider ditching our petrol cars, in favour of ones we simply plug in, we’re going to explore both the positives and negatives – and the charges for-and- against this developing technology. Jamie Foster is Professor of Applied & Industrial Mathematics at the University of Portsmouth and in this wide-ranging episode, you’ll hear how b...
Sep 07, 2023•21 min•Season 12Ep. 5
In this episode of Life Solved we take a look at nature’s role in cleaning our waters. There’s no doubt that us humans need to do much more to clean up our own damage, but there are experts here – and around the globe – who are giving nature the opportunity to lend a helping hand as well. Jo Preston is a Professor in Marine Ecology and Evolution at the University of Portsmouth and Gordon Watson is Professor of Marine Zoology. You’ll hear from Jo and Gordon how investing in the wellbeing of our w...
Aug 31, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 4
In this episode we take a look at the realities of Crime Scene Investigation or CSI. Zoe Cadwell from the University of Portsmouth and Selina Robinson from Winchester University both used to be Crime Scene Investigators. We ask how does the CSI activity we see in films and TV dramas compare to the real world? How do investigations differ around the world? And what are the myths of Crime Scene Investigation? We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questions on this episode or ...
Aug 24, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 3
If you’re outside of specific communities, you may not have heard of Chemsex. But the modern day use of drugs to enhance the sexual experience has its more complex side – and there are many who are either trying to leave that world, or are in – for want of a better word - recovery. In this episode, Veronika Carruthers, Lecturer in Victimology & Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, and Ignacio Labayen de Inza, CEO of the charity, Controlling Chemsex, help us explore what Chemsex ...
Aug 17, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 2
Life Solved is back for its 12th series – and its 100th episode! As a special anniversary episode, we invited Chief Presenter at the BBC News Channel, Maryam Moshiri, to host a round-table discussion, exploring why our plastic waste in the Global North often ends up in low-income countries – and the efforts that retailers and governments are making to reduce plastics on the shelves to create a more sustainable future. The panellists met at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central Lon...
Aug 10, 2023•38 min•Season 12Ep. 1
Life Solved is back for its 12th series and its 100th episode! ‘From Shelf to Global South’ lands on Thursday 10th August and is a special panel discussion, recorded at London’s Royal Institute of British Architects and hosted by Chief Presenter at the BBC News Channel, Maryam Moshiri. You’ll hear experts from the University, the retail sector and charity, exploring why our plastic waste in the Global North often ends up in low-income countries - and the efforts that retailers are ...
Aug 03, 2023•39 sec
How close are we to seeing a global plastics treaty? Last week countries gathered for the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting to bring them a step closer to signing a legally-binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Professor Steve Fletcher and Antaya March from the University of Portsmouth’s Global Plastics Policy Centre were at INC-2 in Paris, presenting the centre’s findings and research. Today’s Life Solved episode will unpack what was agreed, look at the roadmap ahead,...
Jun 08, 2023•19 min•Season 11Ep. 8
Despite what Barbie says, life in plastic isn’t always fantastic. This week’s Life Solved looks at the plastics in our clothes, and how proteins which speed up chemical reactions are the latest trend in the fight against synthetic waste. John Worsey is joined by Dr Victoria Bemmer, Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Enzyme Innovation at the University of Portsmouth, and Noorin Khamisani, Senior Lecturer in Fashion & Textiles and sustainable designer. Together they explore the benefits ...
Jun 01, 2023•13 min•Season 11Ep. 7
There’s no doubt that public confidence in UK police has been damaged recently, quite often through news stories about London’s Metropolitan force. This time our host Robyn Montague chats to Dr John Fox, former Senior Police Detective turned academic, about the authority of the Police service and the behaviour and attitudes of their officers. Despite an overhaul, background checks for new police recruits have some way to go. This month, His Majesty's Inspector Of Constabulary, said that processe...
May 25, 2023•20 min•Season 11Ep. 6
The case of Nicola Bulley, who went missing in a rural English village in January 2023, highlighted the concerns that many people have over true crime coverage, unregulated on the internet. But true crime amateurs and ‘armchair detectives’ have been known to solve crimes and create awareness; often using unique methods. For this episode, Robyn Montague is joined by Dr Megan Hoffman and Dr Simon Hobbs from the School of Art, Design & Performance at the University of Portsmouth to explor...
May 18, 2023•16 min•Season 11Ep. 5
To mark Zombie Awareness month and off the back of the success of ‘The Last of Us’ TV series, it felt fitting to dedicate this episode to the undead themselves. Three experts join Robyn Montague for a round-table discussion on how to survive a zombie apocalypse (according to science). Dr Sarita Robinson is an expert in disaster and emergency psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, Dr John Leach is a survival expert and visiting research psychologist at the University of Portsmouth, a...
May 11, 2023•19 min•Season 11Ep. 4
In this episode of Life Solved, we explore the little-known ‘Ice Ivory’ market. Hear Dr. Caroline Cox, Senior Lecturer at Portsmouth Law School and Dr Luke Hauser, a Researcher at the University of Portsmouth, describe how mammoth ivory is being sold, in place of elephant ivory; often illegally. You’ll hear why the trade in mammoth ivory - surprisingly - isn’t necessarily unlawful, but that the approach to digging it out of the Siberian permafrost can be. Plus, the long-term environmental damage...
May 04, 2023•20 min•Season 11Ep. 3
