UCEM: Recent Episodes
UCEM
University College of Estate Management (UCEM) is the leading provider of supported online education for the built environment. Tune in for discussions about the real estate and construction industries, as well as insights into what it's like to study with UCEM and conversations with the institution's students, alumni, supporters and staff. Find out more at ucem.ac.uk #BuiltForLife
Women and girls experience towns and cities differently. Many change their routes, avoid particular places after dark or plan journeys around where they are most likely to feel safe. Yet planning responses often remain focused on familiar interventions such as brighter lighting, CCTV and clearer sightlines.
In this episode of BE Sustainable, host Mike Speight asks whether better placemaking can genuinely make women safer, or whether the built environment is being expected to solve a problem rooted in wider cultures, behaviours and institutions.
He is joined by Charlotte Morphet, the University of the Built Environment’s Urban Planning programmer leader and a specialist in planning and placemaking that works for women and girls, and Holly Lewis, co-founder of architecture and urbanism practice We Made That and town architect for the London Borough of Hackney.
The discussion also considers why women’s safety has struggled to secure a central place within planning policy, including recent criticism of proposed changes to England’s National Planning Policy Framework.
The murder of Sarah Everard raises a further and deeply uncomfortable question. When violence can involve trusted individuals and the misuse of institutional authority, where do the responsibilities and limitations of planning lie?
Charlotte and Holly discuss what genuinely inclusive placemaking could look like and why women’s lived experience should carry greater weight in decision-making.
Resources:
Nationwide plans announced to design safer streets as nine in ten women report feeling unsafe walking at night – Active Travel England, March 2026. Includes findings from YouGov polling on women’s safety when walking after dark.
Prevalence and reporting of sexual harassment in UK public spaces – UN Women UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UN Women. This report contains the figures that 71% of women surveyed had experienced sexual harassment in a public space, rising to 86% among those aged 18 to 24.
Angiolini Inquiry: Part 1 report – the independent inquiry into the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer.
England planning proposals fail to mention safety of women and girls, say critics – The Guardian, 28 January 2026.
MPs raise lack of gendered safety in draft NPPF with planning minister – The Planner, January 2026.
Gender-responsive urban planning and design – UN-Habitat guidance on creating inclusive public spaces and involving women and girls in urban decision-making.
Girl, Woman, Othered? Why women’s safety must be a priority for placemaking – Meeting Place’s write-up of a panel discussion featuring Charlotte Morphet on women, planning policy and the NPPF.
Where are women in planning policy? Safety, gender and the NPPF – details of the Meeting Place webinar featuring Charlotte Morphet, Anna Sabine MP, Susannah Walker and Nikki Davies.
TfL and Metropolitan Police women’s safety audits – information on safety audits undertaken with women in five London boroughs, including work involving We Made That.
"I think the office is becoming more important. It's not shrinking at all."
It's a view that may surprise anyone who has spent the past few years reading headlines predicting the decline of the office.
But according to Sam McClary, Chief Executive of the British Council for Offices, the real story is very different. So if the office isn't disappearing, what exactly is it becoming?
In this episode of the BE Sustainable podcast, presenter Mike Speight explores why some workplaces are flourishing in the age of flexible working while others risk being left behind.
Joining the discussion are three guests with very different perspectives on the future of the workplace. Alexander Morris, Managing Director at BGO, brings the investor viewpoint. Sam McClary offers an industry-wide perspective on the changing office market. Meanwhile, Gustaf Sedihn, a current student at The London School of Architecture, shares fresh thinking from the next generation of workplace designers, including research into how offices could incorporate childcare and wider social infrastructure.
Together, the panel examines the growing divide between prime and secondary office stock, asking what separates a thriving office from one that risks becoming obsolete. They discuss whether the role of the office has fundamentally changed, how employers increasingly view workplaces as part of their talent strategy, and why occupiers are placing greater emphasis on quality, sustainability and employee experience.
Featured in the discussion is BGO's landmark 105 Victoria Street development in Westminster [pictured above]. Described by BGO as the UK's largest 100% electric, net zero carbon office development, the scheme combines premium workspace with 25,000 sq ft of greenspace and terracing, a 200-metre walk-and-talk track, an urban farm, extensive cycling facilities and community-focused public spaces. Rather than simply adding amenities, the development reflects a broader shift in thinking: that successful offices must function as destinations that support wellbeing, sustainability, social connection and everyday life, giving people a compelling reason to spend time there.
The conversation also explores whether offices could play a much broader role in society. Could workplace design help tackle challenges such as childcare? What responsibility do offices have to the neighbourhoods around them? And how can developers create places that people actively choose to visit rather than simply attend out of obligation?
Whether you believe the office is being reinvented or merely refined, this episode explores what the workplace of the future might look like, and why the buildings attracting the most demand today may offer important clues about where the sector is heading next.
Resources
· ONS hybrid working data
· Cushman & Wakefield Q1 2026 Central London Marketbeat
· Savills Q1 2026 Central London Office Market Watch
· Deloitte London Office Crane Survey
· BGO 105 Victoria Street
· BCO appointment/profile
Guests
- Rosie Jackson - Stace
- Mark Ashby - Stace
- Robert Brown – PRE Surveyors
Touted as the answer to skills shortages, spiralling student debt and widening access to professional careers, degree apprenticeships are growing rapidly across the UK, particularly within the built environment.
The pitch is undeniably attractive: earn while you learn, avoid tuition fees, gain practical experience from day one and enter industry already embedded in the workplace. But beneath the optimism, more difficult questions are emerging. Are apprenticeships genuinely transforming opportunity, or are they being oversold as a catch-all solution to complex workforce challenges? And what might be lost if traditional university routes begin to lose ground?
In this episode of the BE Sustainable podcast, we explore the growing tension between vocational and academic pathways into the built environment, asking whether apprenticeships represent the future of higher education or simply a more cost-efficient route for employers under pressure.
Joining the discussion from independent construction and property consultancy Stace are Rosie Jackson, Senior HR & Learning and Development Advisor, and Mark Ashby, Partner. Offering a graduate perspective is Robert Brown, who completed a Building Surveying degree apprenticeship at the University of the Built Environment, sponsored by PRE Surveyors, after previously studying archaeology through the traditional university route.
Together, the panel examines a range of topics, inlcuding whether apprenticeships are being positioned too heavily as a silver bullet for the sector’s skills crisis, the realities of balancing full-time work with study, and whether young people are being encouraged to specialise too early.
Find out more
Latest apprenticeship statistics from the UK Government:
Explore education statistics: apprenticeships and traineeships
Find out more about degree apprenticeships at University of the Built Environment.
Britain is aiming to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, backed by nearly £39 billion in public investment. But a key question around the deadline and the amount of homes needed to be built is: are we building them well?
In this episode of BE Sustainable, we explore the findings of the ‘Proud to call home’ report, which calls for quality to be embedded across every stage of housing delivery — from policy and planning through to design, construction and long-term performance.
Host Mike Speight is joined by Mike Reader MP, Chair of the APPGEBE - the All-Party Parliamentary Group that commissioned the report, alongside Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, and Ashley Wheaton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Built Environment.
Together, they debate whether the UK can realistically deliver on its housing ambitions without compromising on standards.
Drawing on insights from across government, industry and education, find out where the panel feels breakdowns occur, where accountability lies, and what can be done with the growing pressure on the construction sector.
With just 8,620 apprentices qualifying in 2022/23, and industry bodies such as the Construction Industry Training Board highlighting the need for tens of thousands of new workers each year, the conversation turns to whether the sector has the capacity and the skills pipeline to deliver both volume and quality at scale.
Links and resources
‘Proud to call home’ report – All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment
Mike Reader MP
SCAPE Group
Construction Industry Training Board
With Dirk Vennix, James Pritchett and Jason Phelps
Overview
Modern methods of construction (MMC) are frequently presented as a critical solution to some of the built environment sector’s most pressing challenges. Faster delivery, improved quality control and reduced environmental impact are often cited as key advantages, particularly as the UK seeks to accelerate housing delivery while progressing towards net zero commitments.
In this episode, we explore whether modular and offsite construction methods are delivering measurable carbon impact in practice - and why the evidence base is still so thin.
The discussion considers how embodied carbon is currently measured across MMC projects and examines the extent to which emissions reductions are genuinely being achieved.
Looking beyond contemporary debates, the episode explores the long historical roots of offsite construction, while customer expectations and queries form another key strand of the conversation.
Bringing together research, industry practice and academic insight, the panel consists of Dirk Vennix, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), James Pritchett from sustainable homebuilders Greencore Homes, and University of the Built Environment senior lecturer Jason Phelps, whose PhD thesis compares historical and contemporary approaches to offsite fabrication.
Links
CIRIA – Construction Industry Research and Information Association
Case study request: Net Zero Carbon Offsite Champions
Greencore Homes
Greencore Homes Group
Jason Phelps
With Luke McMath, Katie Napier and Jordan Turner
Buying a home is one of life’s most significant milestones. Yet in England, the process is widely seen as slow, opaque and prone to collapse at the final hurdle.
In this episode of BE Sustainable, we examine the UK Government’s proposed reforms to the homebuying and selling system in England. The changes aim to reduce delays, minimise fall-throughs and rebuild confidence in a process that has struggled to keep pace with modern expectations.
At the centre of the debate is conveyancing – the legal transfer of property ownership. Often blamed for delays, conveyancing is also one of the least understood parts of the process.
The discussion considers the role of upfront property information, including the proposed ‘property passport’, and questions who will bear the additional costs.
It also examines how increased regulation, compliance requirements and growing workloads have transformed conveyancing, highlighting the structural and practical challenges involved in modern property transactions.
Bringing together academic insight, legal expertise and lived experience, the episode explores whether reform can genuinely improve the system, or whether deeper structural and technological changes are needed.
Drawing on his academic research and recent analysis of the proposed reforms, Jordan Turner explores the structural realities behind modern property transactions. From a legal and frontline perspective, Luke McMath from Blandy & Blandy solicitors offers insight into the operational pressures faced by conveyancers. Providing a lived perspective, Katie Napier reflected on her experience as a first-time buyer completing on a property in late 2025.
Links:
Home buying and selling reforms - can the Government really fix a broken system? - University of the Built Environment
Home buying and selling reform - GOV.UK
Luke McMath - Residential Property Conveyancing Solicitor/Lawyer - Reading, Henley-on-Thames & Wokingham
Overview
“A crack in the window, a hole in the door, a chipped sink, up in the loft there’s no insulation – we see these things every day of our lives.”
The words of the man who invented snagging inspections, which uncovers a vast array of significant defects at new-build homes.
John Cooper, founder of New Home Quality Control, was a guest on this episode that discussed:
Are Britain’s new homes really being built to last, or are we prioritising speed over quality in the race to deliver more housing?
With the UK Government committed to building 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, concerns about build quality have become increasingly visible, not least because of the work of John, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across social media and is a TV regular.
Through his social media channels, John documents alarming workmanship failures, from basic construction errors to issues that affect safety, energy performance and long-term durability. His content has struck a chord with homeowners and first-time buyers, helping to bring concerns about new-build quality into the public conversation.
This episode explores whether the problems highlighted by New Home Quality Control represent isolated ‘bodge jobs’ or point to deeper structural pressures within the housing system. Are regulations and oversight keeping pace with the speed of delivery? Is public confidence being undermined by what people are seeing online, or are these concerns well founded?
Alongside John’s frontline experience, the discussion draws on national survey data from an important report authored by David Parry, Senior Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Hear his expert insights, including consumer protections in place to hold developers to account for quality failures in new-build housing.
Our senior lecturer in Real Estate, Jordan Turner, tackled the issue from a real estate and policy perspective, discussing structural pressures, consumer confidence, targets, planning delays, and margin pressure, amongst many other topics.
We invited both the Home Builders Federation and the National House-Building Council to contribute to this episode, but neither organisation was available for comment at the time of recording.
As pressure to deliver new homes intensifies, this episode asks a fundamental question: not just how quickly we build, but whether Britain’s new homes are truly fit for purpose, now and for generations to come.
Links:
TikTok: New Home Quality Control
Instagram: New Home Quality Control
YouTube: New Home Quality Control
CIOB: New-Build Housing Report
Articles by Jordan Turner:
Overheating Britain: Can our buildings cope? - University of the Built Environment
Home buying and selling reforms - can the Government really fix a broken system? - University of the Built Environment
Why we must rethink the UK’s obsession with the Energy Performanc
Are the construction and property industries really making progress on inclusivity, or just making promises? Are we still seeing discrimination and unconscious bias within the built environment sector? Or are we happily witnessing progress?
What does inclusivity really look like in practice - and are we genuinely moving the dial, or just reshaping the same conversation?
On paper, the sector looks more diverse than it once did but there is still a long way to go. If we look at gender alone, women make up around 15 per cent of the UK construction workforce and roughly 31 per cent of partners or directors in architecture practices.
Despite the number of public pledges, the gender pay gap in construction still sits at around 17 per cent, barely shifting in the past five years.
Representation of ethnic minorities in construction hovers near 7 per cent, compared to about 14 per cent across the overall UK workforce, showing that racial diversity also lags behind national averages. (Statistics from the Office for National Statistics and the Construction Industry Training Board.)
Guests:
Marsha Ramroop, author of Building Inclusion and founder of Unheard Voice; Sarah Hayford, CEO and founder of The Land Collective and driving force behind Black Girls in Property; Rebecca Lovelace, Deputy Chair of CIC’s EDI Committee and founder of Building People; and Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, CEO of RIBA.
Links to discussion topics:
Building Inclusion by Marsha Ramroop
https://www.buildinginclusion.info/
The Land Collective
https://thelandcollective.com/
Black Girls in Property
https://bgip.thelandcollective.com/
Building People
https://www.buildingpeople.org.uk/
CIC - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
https://www.cic.org.uk/committees-and-networks/diversity-and-inclusion-panel
Sustainability is meant to be for everyone but when it comes to housing and communities, is sustainable living actually more of a luxury?
In this episode of BE Sustainable, we ask a bold question: are ‘sustainable communities’ genuinely inclusive, or are they the preserve of the middle classes?
The discussion comes in light of the UK Government’s latest New Towns proposal, which calls for 12 new settlements and at least 10,000 homes in each - with 40% designated as affordable and with an eye on environmental sustainability. But are ‘sustainable’ new builds more expensive to build? And if so, are we pricing lower-income workers and families out of the sustainable housing market?
In this studio debate, host Mike Speight is joined by two leading voices shaping the future of British housing:
- Professor Samer Bagaeen, Head of Town Planning at the University of the Built Environment and Vice-President-elect of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
- Dr Elanor Warwick, Head of Strategy, Policy, Evidence and Research at Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest social landlord.
Sources of ‘Sustainable Housing UK’ topics discussed:
1. UK Government’s New Towns proposal
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Clarion Housing Group Annual Report
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Annual UK Fuel Poverty statistics - 2024
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Energy Efficiency of Housing in England and Wales: 2025
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The Guardian article on increases in housing Service Charges
Presenter: Mike Speight
Guests: Dr James Ritson, Cecilia Pesce, Jordan Turner
Jingles by: Matthew Smith, Programme Leader BSc Real Estate Management
Traditional brickmaking produces over 1.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year — more than the entire aviation industry. So should we cling to the comforting warmth of brick, or finally face up to the environmental cost of our most familiar building material?
In this episode of the University of the Built Environment's BE Sustainable podcast, presenter Mike Speight explores one of the built environment’s most provocative questions: Should we bin the brick?
Mike is joined by:
Dr James Ritson, Programme Leader for MSc Innovation in Sustainable Built Environments at the University of the Built Environment — who argues the problem isn’t how we make bricks, but whether we should use them at all.
Cecilia Pesce, Principal Research Engineer at earth4Earth — pioneers of a carbon-storing brick designed to turn waste soil into a climate-positive material.
Jordan Turner, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Built Environment, whose PhD examined sustainability in the housing sector and the policy barriers preventing greener construction.
Together, they tackle some of the key questions at the heart of the low-carbon construction debate:
- Can innovation make bricks part of a net-zero future, or are we stuck with a carbon-heavy habit?
- Why are sustainable alternatives like hempcrete still treated as niche?
- Are regulations, costs and cultural attachment to the 'look' of brick holding us back from genuine progress?
Hear Jordan Turner describe the M&S Cheshire Oaks project built with hempcrete and why developers struggle to use similar materials today. Listen as Dr James Ritson challenges the very necessity of brick, while Cecilia Pesce reveals how her team’s carbon-storing bricks transform waste into a building block for a circular economy.
From carbon emissions and cultural identity to policy, price and perception, this lively debate delves into the future of how we build - and what it will take for sustainable materials to move from pilot projects to mainstream adoption.
Click play to hear the full discussion and decide for yourself: Should we bin the traditional brick?
Office buildings account for a huge share of global carbon emissions - yet the pathway to decarbonisation is rarely straightforward. In this episode, we explore why tackling emissions from the workplace is one of the most urgent challenges facing real estate, and how organisations can turn strategy into action.
Our guest, Mary Pothitou, is a leading real estate sustainability expert and ESOS Lead Assessor with an Engineering Doctorate focused on small power use and working practices in office buildings. She has advised businesses across sectors - from data centres to telecoms - on how to save energy, drive sustainable practices, and decarbonise their operations.
Mary takes us inside the complex realities of decarbonising office space: the scale of the challenge, why a step-by-step approach is essential, and how different building types, materials, and user behaviours complicate the process. We also discuss the difficulties of applying standardised frameworks across diverse portfolios and the trade-offs organisations must weigh when deciding which properties to upgrade or retain.
Adding academic insight, Dr Pippa Boyd from the University of the Built Environment (UBE) joins the conversation, emphasising how sociotechnical issues and everyday behaviours shape outcomes. Together, they make the case for embedding decarbonisation into every conversation in real estate.
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1f8ZO5eWa6Jsv37sithlHx?si=8c5e9c5e5a484c97
Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-14-why-decarbonising-office-buildings-is-critical/id1524980861?i=1000728424495
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R8wnRtRHU8
Sustainability is one of the defining issues of our time – but how much is it really shaping career choices, client decisions and the future of the built environment?
In the latest episode of the BE Sustainable Podcast, Student Officers for Sustainability, Kian Bruney and Jake Wright, join Mike to share their perspectives as early-career professionals navigating the sector. Speaking from their own experiences, they explore what first sparked their passion for sustainability, how it influences their day-to-day work, and what they hope the industry will achieve in the years ahead.
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: Episode 13: The Next Generatio… - University of the Built Environment - Apple Podcasts
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yeXYK1mcq6gmrC6w6b6Yj?si=CaXJ388CRSGyRphcd1zHBQ
- YouTube:
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- How much did sustainability and the built environment feature when considering a career path?
- What made Kian and Jake so passionate about sustainability?
- How does sustainability influence decision-making in their work?
- To what extent can they and their employers influence clients on sustainability?
- What do they hope to see in the future – and how far away are we from achieving it?
- How can the sector attract more talent like theirs?
Guests
Kian Bruney
Kian is based in Saint Andrew Parish, Dominica. He is an Architectural Technician for Enviroplus Consulting INC, and is currently studying BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying. He serves as one of the University’s Student Officers for Sustainability.
Jake Wright
Jake is an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor studying the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying route. He works for Dadson and Butler, a surveying firm based in Amesbury, England, and is also one of the University’s Student Officers for Sustainability.
Inclusivity and diversity are core principles of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with the promise of “leaving no one behind.” But is the built environment doing enough to fulfil this ambition, or is it struggling to leave behind its old ways?
In the latest two-part episode of the podcast, Dr Chrissi McCarthy joins Mike to take us through her experience and impressions of the built environment, both as a practitioner and as an EDI specialist.
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- How do you support an organisation that wants to make a genuine difference in its EDI?
- What advice do you have for professionals that could be waiting a long time to find the ideal inclusive employer to work for?
- Are you seeing a brighter future in business culture? Do you think there are better times ahead?
Guests
Dr Chrissi McCarthy
Chrissi is the Managing Director at the Centre of Behavioural Equality (COBE), a consulting service that aims to set the standard for data and context-driven EDI by bridging the gap between research, practice and employee experiences. Chrissi has a background in construction, having worked in a variety of engineering and management roles early in her career. She eventually shifted her focus into EDI, and has held roles and memberships in a range of institutions in the sector including the Chartered Institute of Building and the Construction Industry Council Diversity Panel.
Inclusivity and diversity are core principles of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with the promise of 'leaving no one behind'. But is the built environment doing enough to fulfil this ambition, or is it struggling to leave behind its old ways?
In the latest two-part episode of the podcast, Dr Chrissi McCarthy joins Mike to take us through her experience and impressions of the built environment, both as a practitioner and as an EDI specialist.
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/unibuiltenvironment
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- How do you support an organisation that wants to make a genuine difference in its EDI?
- What advice do you have for professionals that could be waiting a long time to find the ideal inclusive employer to work for?
- Are you seeing a brighter future in business culture? Do you think there are better times ahead?
Guests
Dr Chrissi McCarthy
Chrissi is the Managing Director at the Centre of Behavioural Equality (COBE), a consulting service that aims to set the standard for data and context-driven EDI by bridging the gap between research, practice and employee experiences. Chrissi has a background in construction, having worked in a variety of engineering and management roles early in her career. She eventually shifted her focus into EDI, and has held roles and memberships in a range of institutions in the sector including the Chartered Institute of Building and the Construction Industry Council Diversity Panel.
What is our action plan for phasing out concrete? Mike interviews Martha Dillon, writer and policy researcher, about her research into the use of concrete in construction. Why do we continue to use a material we know is harmful and exploitative?
Listen to the podcast via:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- The environmental, health, ecological and political impact of concrete
- Why are we so reliant on concrete?
- Why can't we just ban concrete?
- Are there more viable sustainable alternatives to concrete?
Guest Martha Dillon
Martha Dillon is a writer and policy researcher specialising in housing, land and the climate crisis. She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering, before starting her own critically-acclaimed print magazine, It’s Freezing in LA!, and working in policy and research roles at the Greater London Authority, think tanks and Buro Happold Engineering. She writes regularly for the Architectural Review and Architect’s Journal, and currently works at C40 Cities, a global network of 96 major cities.
Is our sector doing enough to cater for people with accessibility needs?
Almost a quarter of the UK’s population have a disability, yet the buildings we live, work and play in are still far from accessible and inclusive in their design and operation.
To explore this topic further, Adrian Tagg, Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, joins us for a two-part episode informed by his extensive research into built environment accessibility.
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
The topics discussed in this episode include:
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As an emotive subject, was disability and accessibility needs a difficult area to research?
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Do you feel that the work that you're doing is gaining traction within RICS and the wider industry, or is it one of many voices?
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How did you find working with the interest groups, charities and representatives as part of this work?
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What does the industry need to give it the impetus to move beyond stagnation?
Guest
Adrian Tagg
Adrian is the Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, where he lectures in building pathology and commercial surveying practice. Alongside his academic role, Adrian continues to work in practice with his consultancy firm, Tech DD Ltd., having previously held various industry positions in London, Germany and Brussels.
Adrian was the recipient of UCEM’s Harold Samuel Research Prize in 2019 for his paper ‘Public and Commercial Attitudes to Disability in the Built Environment’. Following this, he wrote the book ‘Inclusive Environments and Access to Commercial Property’, which examines the challenges, compromises, and potential socio-economic benefits of deliver inclusivity in the commercial-built environment.
Is our sector doing enough to cater for people with accessibility needs?
Almost a quarter of the UK’s population have a disability, yet the buildings we live, work and play in are still far from accessible and inclusive in their design and operation.
To explore this topic further, Adrian Tagg, Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, joins us for a two-part episode informed by his extensive research into built environment accessibility.
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
The topics discussed in this episode include:
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How well does the built environment cater for disabilities and accessibility needs?
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Why isn't legislation having enough of an impact on decision making?
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Has this become more difficult in a post-pandemic world
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Is one of the opportunities in terms of promoting accessibility issues the fact it can actually be positive for the entire population?
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Do you think that the advice given to the construction sector regarding disabilities and accessibility needs is too broad?
Guest
Adrian Tagg
Adrian is the Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, where he lectures in building pathology and commercial surveying practice. Alongside his academic role, Adrian continues to work in practice with his consultancy firm, Tech DD Ltd., having previously held various industry positions in London, Germany and Brussels.
Adrian was the recipient of UCEM’s Harold Samuel Research Prize in 2019 for his paper ‘Public and Commercial Attitudes to Disability in the Built Environment’. Following this, he wrote the book ‘Inclusive Environments and Access to Commercial Property’, which examines the challenges, compromises, and potential socio-economic benefits of deliver inclusivity in the commercial-built environment.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ aims to celebrate the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
The tenth episode of the Be Part of the Change podcast has been released in April to mark Autism Awareness Month - a global month of events to increase understanding and acceptance of autism and celebrate the success and achievements of autistic individuals. In this episode, Lydia Williams, Disability Advisor at the University, is joined by Rosie Hart, Group ESG Lead at Cast Group.
Together they discuss how Rosie first discovered she was autistic and how her experiences with neurodiversity have influenced her work in the built environment.
The topics discussed in this episode include
- When did you learn you were autistic and what was the journey to understanding that part of yourself like?
- Were there any challenges that you experienced in relation to your neurodiversity?
- How would you say your autistic identity has influenced your work or continues to influence your work today?
- Have you come across any misconceptions about autism or neurodiversity in general within the built environment?
- Are there any ways that you advocate for yourself and for others in a professional setting?
For all the emphasis our sector places on shiny new tools and materials, we'll only be able to realise a sustainable built environment if we successfully engage one thing: people.
In the latest two-part feature of the BE Sustainable podcast, Mike Speight is joined by Jenny Davidson and Sheri-Leigh Miles, co-hosts of the Sustainability Sprints podcast. With their expertise they explore the challenges of embedding and operationalising sustainability at both an organisational level and across the sector as a whole, and how helping people identify what sustainability means to them is the key to driving change.
Listen to the podcast via:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Jenny Davidson
Jenny is the Co-Chair for the Sustainability Committee at Newcastle University. She has 25 years of experience working in sustainability, initially in the private sector before moving into higher education 10 years ago. Alongside her role as Co-Chair, is the Exec MBA Programme Director at Newcastle University Business School, and Non Executive Director at FIRST, a learning and development agency. Alongside Sheri-Leigh Miles, she is also co-host of the Sustainability Sprints podcast.
Sheri-Leigh Miles
Sheri-Leigh is the Founder and Director of NETpositive Futures, a micro business based in Yorkshire that helps organisations and teams understand how sustainability links to organisational excellence. She has worked in sustainability for 25 years, and alongside her role at NETpositive Futures is the Founder and Director of Go4Growth, and Group Administrator for the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) Sustainability Network.
For all the emphasis our sector places on shiny new tools and materials, we'll only be able to realise a sustainable built environment if we successfully engage one thing: people.
In the latest two-part feature of the BE Sustainable podcast, Mike Speight is joined by Jenny Davidson and Sheri-Leigh Miles, co-hosts of the Sustainability Sprints podcast. With their expertise they explore the challenges of embedding and operationalising sustainability at both an organisational level and across the sector as a whole, and how helping people identify what sustainability means to them is the key to driving change.
Listen to the podcast via:
-
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
-
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Dr Jenny Davidson
Jenny is the Co-Chair for the Sustainability Committee at Newcastle University. She has 25 years of experience working in sustainability, initially in the private sector before moving into higher education 10 years ago. Alongside her role as Co-Chair, is the Exec MBA Programme Director at Newcastle University Business School, and Non Executive Director at FIRST, a learning and development agency. Alongside Sheri-Leigh Miles, she is also co-host of the Sustainability Sprints podcast.
Sheri-Leigh Miles
Sheri-Leigh is the Founder and Director of NETpositive Futures, a micro business based in Yorkshire that helps organisations and teams understand how sustainability links to organisational excellence. She has worked in sustainability for 25 years, and alongside her role at NETpositive Futures is the Founder and Director of Go4Growth, and Group Administrator for the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) Sustainability Network.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the ninth episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Ummi Mahinoor, an apprentice and Student Officer at UCEM, is joined by Kirsty McKenna MRICS, Partner at Workman LLP. Together they mark International Women's Day (March 8) by discussing their experiences and the challenges women face in the built environment.
The topics discussed in this episode include
- What does International Women's Day mean to you?
- As a partner of a fast-growing company and industry, what is a significant achievement in your career that you are most proud of?
- Are there any challenges that you feel women face in the industry? And how do you think we can overcome this?
- What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter the field of real estate?
In the third instalment of our three-part feature with Jason Ratcliffe, TedX Organiser, founder of The Home Health Expert and alumni of UCEM, we turn our attention to major challenge fuelling the wellbeing crisis in the built environment – the skills gap.
Together with our host, Mike Speight, the two explore how our sector can do a better job attracting more young people to professions like architecture, construction and real estate, and what the next generation should look for and expect from employers.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- What do you see as the biggest barriers to progress for young people in the industry?
- Do you find there is an expectation gap between how young people think it will be coming into the profession and how it actually is?
- What was it that made you passionate about the industry?
- What should young people entering the industry look out for and expect from employers?
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Jason Ratcliffe
Jason Ratcliffe is a Chartered Surveyor and an alumni of UCEM, where he completed a Master's Degree in Real Estate in 2020, and has since been active with the institution as a member of both the Student & Alumni Sustainability Committee and our Responsible Futures Working Group.
Jason has emerged as a prominent thought leader in both sustainability and wellbeing. He hosts his own podcast, Heal Your Home, and is in the process of launching The Wellbeing Surveyor, an educational platform and consultancy. He has patented his own portable climate chamber, the Elemental Cube, which led to him making an appearance at a Grand Designs Live event and winning Kevin McCloud's Green Hero Award earlier this year.
Do we understand the impact the built environment has on our physical and mental health? Jason Ratcliffe, TedX Organiser, founder of The Home Health Expert and alumni of UCEM, doesn’t think so.
For part two of our three-episode feature with Jason on the BE Sustainable Podcast, we take the previous episode’s topic of the built environment’s impact on wellbeing and explore it on a national scale. What does building well actually mean, and how can wellbeing be implemented through regulation into the building lifecycle?
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- What does building well actually mean?
- Does the government need to get involved?
- How can we start to bring some ownership to the problem?
- Has there been movement in the right direction?
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Jason Ratcliffe
Jason Ratcliffe is a Chartered Surveyor and an alumni of UCEM, where he completed a Master's Degree in Real Estate in 2020, and has since been active with the institution as a member of both the Student & Alumni Sustainability Committee and our Responsible Futures Working Group.
Jason has emerged as a prominent thought leader in both sustainability and wellbeing. He hosts his own podcast, Heal Your Home, and is in the process of launching The Wellbeing Surveyor, an educational platform and consultancy. He has patented his own portable climate chamber, the Elemental Cube, which led to him making an appearance at a Grand Designs Live event and winning Kevin McCloud's Green Hero Award earlier this year.
Do we understand the impact the built environment has on our physical and mental health? Jason Ratcliffe, TedX Organiser, founder of The Home Health Expert and alumni of UCEM, doesn’t think so.
In the first of this three-part feature of the BE Sustainable podcast, Jason joins our host, Mike Speight, to dive into the relationship between human health and the buildings we inhabit, and how this remaining unexplored is affecting our daily lives.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- How is the built environment impacting our health and wellbeing?
- How can we accommodate wellbeing in the lifecycle of design and construction?
- What are the different factors in a building that impact wellbeing?
- Is it possible to measure wellness against data on building performance?
Listen to the podcast via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Jason Ratcliffe
Jason Ratcliffe is a Chartered Surveyor and an alumni of UCEM, where he completed a Master's Degree in Real Estate in 2020, and has since been active with the institution as a member of both the Student & Alumni Sustainability Committee and our Responsible Futures Working Group.
Jason has emerged as a prominent thought leader in both sustainability and wellbeing. He hosts his own podcast, Heal Your Home, and is in the process of launching The Wellbeing Surveyor, an educational platform and consultancy. He has patented his own portable climate chamber, the Elemental Cube, which led to him making an appearance at a Grand Designs Live event and winning Kevin McCloud's Green Hero Award earlier this year.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
The eighth episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast is hosted by Anna Mido, an apprentice at Montagu Evans and student of UCEM. She's joined by fellow apprentices Zara Edmonds and Panashe Mutasa (of CBRE and JLL respectively), who together provide insight into the world of apprenticeships.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- What does the typical working day look like as an apprentice?
- What are apprenticeship rotations, and which has been your favourite so far?
- What has been the biggest challenge in your apprenticeship so far?
- Do you feel you're able to connect with your peers at UCEM?
Seven years on from the Grenfell Tower Fire that claimed 72 lives on 14 June 2017, the disappointing blame game that has arisen in the built environment has delivered one sobering home truth – the lack of accountability, leadership and responsibility in the sector.
This latest, two-part feature of the BE Sustainable follows on from our previous conversation with UCEM’s Vice Chancellor Ashley Wheaton on the purpose of the built environment. This month, Mike Speight is joined by Dame Judith Hackitt and Marc Fleming, and together they dive deeper into how this lack of uniform identity is playing out in the industry today.
This episode explores the challenge the sector faces in balancing the demands of clients, the requirements of regulation and the needs of end users, and how the latter should be at the forefront of all construction and build environment professionals’ minds.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
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Does the built environment understand its purpose and its responsibility? And if not, what is this purpose?
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How do we balance the demands of the client with the needs of society, all whilst conforming with regulation?
-
How can we encourage the sector to think more about the end user?
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Is it possible to bring about broad, holistic change in the sector?
Listen to the podcast via:
-
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
-
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests:
Dame Judith Hackitt
Dame Judith is a chemical engineer by training. Spent her early career working in the chemicals industry, both in manufacturing and as an advocate for the industry at national and international levels. She's a former President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Throughout her career, she has championed the importance of engineering and delivering solutions which provide benefits to society, and has been a role model, particularly for young women wanting to enter the profession. From 2007 to 2016, she was chair of the UK's Health and Safety Executive, and in 2017 conducted an independent review for the UK government into building regulations and fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. Since publishing her final report in 2018, she's continued to press for regulatory change and for industry culture change, and a recommendation for radical reform of the regulatory system received royal assent in the Building Safety Act 2022.
Marc Fleming
Marc is Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology programme at UCEM and a Chartered Architectural Technologist. He has extensive experience in industry, secondary, further and higher education, teaching and management, as well as running his own consultancy practice. Additionally, he's a member of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. He's actively involved in a range of working groups and networks, all of them supporting the transformation of industry and skills and training opportunities.
Seven years on from the Grenfell Tower Fire that claimed 72 lives on 14 June 2017, the disappointing blame game that has arisen in the built environment has delivered one sobering home truth – the lack of accountability, leadership and responsibility in the sector.
This latest, two-part feature of the BE Sustainable follows on from our previous conversation with UCEM’s Vice Chancellor Ashley Wheaton on the purpose of the built environment. This month, Mike Speight is joined by Dame Judith Hackitt and Marc Fleming, and together they dive deeper into how this lack of uniform identity is playing out in the industry today.
This episode explores the challenge the sector faces in balancing the demands of clients, the requirements of regulation and the needs of end users, and how the latter should be at the forefront of all construction and build environment professionals’ minds.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
-
Does the built environment understand its purpose and its responsibility? And if not, what is this purpose?
-
How do we balance the demands of the client with the needs of society, all whilst conforming with regulation?
-
How can we encourage the sector to think more about the end user?
-
Is it possible to bring about broad, holistic change in the sector?
Listen to the podcast via:
-
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
-
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
-
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests:
Dame Judith Hackitt
Dame Judith is a chemical engineer by training. Spent her early career working in the chemicals industry, both in manufacturing and as an advocate for the industry at national and international levels. She's a former President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Throughout her career, she has championed the importance of engineering and delivering solutions which provide benefits to society, and has been a role model, particularly for young women wanting to enter the profession. From 2007 to 2016, she was chair of the UK's Health and Safety Executive, and in 2017 conducted an independent review for the UK government into building regulations and fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. Since publishing her final report in 2018, she's continued to press for regulatory change and for industry culture change, and a recommendation for radical reform of the regulatory system received royal assent in the Building Safety Act 2022.
Marc Fleming
Marc is Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology programme at UCEM and a Chartered Architectural Technologist. He has extensive experience in industry, secondary, further and higher education, teaching and management, as well as running his own consultancy practice. Additionally, he's a member of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. He's actively involved in a range of working groups and networks, all of them supporting the transformation of industry and skills and training opportunities.
Does the built environment actually understand and recognise its role in society?
Most professionals would point to their responsibilities and the role of their function in the building lifecycle when asked to define their purpose. But does this perception fail to consider our sector’s considerable impact on the lives of its inhabits and its role in the climate crisis?
In the latest episode of BE Sustainable, our host Mike Speight is joined by Ashley Wheaton, Vice Chancellor of UCEM. Together they dive into how some of the biggest challenges facing the sector, from sustainability to poor collaboration and the green skills gap, could be the result of how it internally and externally presents itself.
Subscribe now via:
-
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
-
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
-
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guest
Ashley Wheaton
Ashley Wheaton joined UCEM as Principal (later Vice Chancellor) in 2013. He has led the institution through a period of prolific growth and significant change, notably through the gaining of the University College title and the securing of full independence.
Ashley holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of London. Whilst at UCEM, he spent six years as a Non-Executive Director of BRE Group, and has previously held senior roles as Director of Global Learning Services for Microsoft and Chief Executive Officer of InfoBasis Ltd, a global Talent Management software company.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the seventh episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Danial Shaikh, Student Officer for Disability and Mental Health and Apprentice at UCEM, is joined by Batul Daulby, Principal Education Psychologist and Founder of CF Psychology.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- The early signs that a student may have an SpLD
- Where students should go to seek help
- The common misconceptions of SpLDs
- How friends and family can support SpLDs
- Batul's tips for educators and employers
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the sixth episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Zara Edmonds, Student Officer for Disability and Welfare and Apprentice at UCEM, is joined by Kathryn Moody, an MSc Real Estate student.
The topics discussed in this episode include:
- Kathryn and Zara's experience being diagnosed with dyslexia
- How this diagnosis impacted their mental health and education
- The support Kathryn has received from UCEM
- Kathryn's tips for students with dyslexia
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the fifth episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Jack Champion, Welfare Officer at UCEM, is joined by Laura Pollard, an Apprentice Surveyor at JLL currently studying Real Estate Management with UCEM.
The topics discussed on this episode include:
- How Laura first became aware of her ADHD
- The impact it's had on Laura's journey through work and education
- Laura's experience of ADHD support at UCEM
- Laura's tips and tricks for dealing with ADHD
The built environment isn’t a sector typically associated with innovation, but as the pressure to address our role in the climate crisis grows, does this need to change?
In the latest episode of BE Sustainable, Professor Graeme Larsen returns to explore the challenge of bringing new innovations into the mainstream in our sector. From restriction and regulatory uncertainty to skills shortages and perceived risks, Graeme and our host, Mike Speight, dive into the barriers – and potential solutions – to our sector’s need to embrace, support and enable innovation.
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guest
Dr Graeme Larsen
Dr Graeme Larsen is the Associate Dean (Sustainability) at UCEM. He’s also Visiting Professor at RMIT, Australia, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building as a Chartered Construction Manager. Grame also holds a key strategic international role within the prestigious International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), as coordinator for ‘Working Group 65 – Organization and Management in Construction’.
In this follow-up episode of BE Sustainable, our experts Dr Pippa Boyd and Dr Ankit Singh get into the nitty-gritty of turning circular economy concepts into reality within the built environment.
From navigating the complexities of circular economy management to pioneering innovative business models, our guests discuss how standardisation, material passports, and even second-hand markets could be the answer the built environment needs. They also unpack the tricky question of regulation – who should be leading this change? And how can we ensure innovation in building design isn’t stifled along the way?
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests:
Dr Pippa Boyd
Dr Pippa Boyd is a Senior Lecturer at UCEM who is involved in the development and delivery of UCEM’s MSc Innovation in Sustainable Built Environments. She has a background in mechanical engineering and production methods, and before entering academia operated as a consultant in change management and organisational roles. She completed her PhD in sustainable innovation and uptake.
Dr Ankit Singh
Dr Ankit Singh is Director of Sustainability at Waterman Building Services Ltd, part of the Waterman Group. Ankit leads the charge in implementing strategic sustainability initiatives in the construction sector. He collaborates closely with asset funders, developers, and contractors to foster sustainable development across various projects and sectors. His academic background includes a PhD in Making sense of strategy development for Sustainability in large construction firms in the UK, and further qualifications from the University of Cambridge and MIT.
What if the buildings we live and work in could be designed to last forever? This episode of BE Sustainable explores the potential of the circular economy in the built environment. Joined by experts Dr Ankit Singh and Dr Pippa Boyd, they discuss how we can shift from the traditional "take, make, break" model to one where materials are reused, repurposed, and regenerated.
Our guests highlight examples of this principle in practice, critically examine the role of material hierarchies and discuss the real challenges and benefits of implementing the concept of circular economy within the built environment. With 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 already built, could this be the key to achieving net-zero?
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Dr Pippa Boyd
Dr Pippa Boyd is a Senior Lecturer at UCEM who is involved in the development and delivery of UCEM’s MSc Innovation in Sustainable Built Environments. She has a background in mechanical engineering and production methods, and before entering academia operated as a consultant in change management and organisational roles. She completed her PhD in sustainable innovation and uptake.
Dr Ankit Singh
Dr Ankit Singh is Director of Sustainability at Waterman Building Services Ltd, part of the Waterman Group. Ankit leads the charge in implementing strategic sustainability initiatives in the construction sector. He collaborates closely with asset funders, developers, and contractors to foster sustainable development across various projects and sectors. His academic background includes a PhD in Making sense of strategy development for Sustainability in large construction firms in the UK, and further qualifications from the University of Cambridge and MIT.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the fourth episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Drew Greenhalgh, Student Ambassador for EDI at UCEM, is joined by Lydia McGuinness, a Site Manager at Wates and a Young Ambassador for the CLC.
The topics discussed on this episode include:
- How Lydia defied her family’s expectations to enter the built environment
- What motivated Lydia to become the CLC’s People and Skills Young Ambassador
- Why diversity is a crisis, not a competition
- Why construction needs a Royal Navy-style ad campaign
Visit the Be Part of the Change site: https://www.ucem.ac.uk/be-part-of-the-change/
In a world of endless possibilities, Marc Fleming and Fred Mills shift the conversation from what we could achieve to what we should. The Line in Saudi Arabia is one of the most interesting, polarising and ambitious urban projects of our time. It promises to revolutionise urban living whilst raising a multitude of questions and concerns for both construction and architecture enthusiasts.
Our guests discuss the feasibility, sustainability, and ethical implications of this groundbreaking project. They delve into the historical roots of linear cities, examine the technological challenges, and explore the potential for such a project in the UK.
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
**Guests
Marc Fleming**
Marc Fleming is programme leader for the BSc Architectural Design Technology at UCEM and a Chartered Architectural Technologist. He has extensive experience in industry, secondary, further and higher education teaching and management as well as running his own consultancy practice.
Additionally, Marc is a member of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge exchange. Marc is actively involved in a range of working groups and networks that support the transformation of industry and skills/training opportunities.
Fred Mills
Fred Mills is an award-winning entrepreneur and YouTuber. He is a founder of The B1M, the world's largest and the most subscribed-to video channel for construction with over 3 million subscribers, and recently launched Tomorrows Build which is focused on shaping the future of construction.
Fred has also been awarded an Honorary master’s degree by UCEM for his outstanding and inspiring contribution to the built environment sector.
Retrofitting is the art of breathing new life into existing buildings. It goes beyond simple maintenance and repair. In this episode of BE Sustainable, Dr James Ritson explores the ‘hot topic’ within the built environment in the last few years.
With 80% of the buildings we’ll see in 2050 already standing, the urgency of retrofitting could not be any clearer. While policymakers view it as a silver bullet for energy efficiency and sustainability, the reality is far more complex.
Join Dr Ritson as he discusses how the idea has been coveted as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, yet, the policies are fragmented, and the initiatives insufficient.
So, where do we turn for solutions? Dr James Ritson considers technological integration and the three pillars of sustainability, unravelling the challenges of mitigation versus adaption, post-COVID lifestyle changes, technological development, and the impractical pursuit of zero carbon.
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guest
Dr James Ritson
Dr James Ritson is a Senior Lecturer at UCEM, and an architecturally trained building conservator with a focus on sustainability and historic built environment documentation. Alongside his role at UCEM, James holds key positions in various organisations, such as his role as the Vice President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability, and is published widely on sustainability, health, and conservation issues.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the third episode of our Be Part of the Change podcast, Ummi Mahinoor is joined by Melissa Gough-Rundle, Strategic Relationship Manager with LionHeart.
The topics discussed on this episode include:
- What LionHeart is and who the service is for
- The mental health services LionHeart provides students
- Advice for someone struggling with their mental health in the workplace
- Advice for students studying for their APC
- Three tips for managing your work-life balance
Visit the Be Part of the Change site: https://www.ucem.ac.uk/be-part-of-the-change/
Is the Brundtland definition of sustainability useful in today’s complex landscape? Or is creating one universal definition of sustainability an impossible feat?
In the first episode of BE Sustainable, our host Mike Speight is joined by guests Dr Graeme Larsen and Dr James Ritson. From global challenges to individual priorities, they explore the limitations of singular definitions of sustainability, and navigate the intricacies of the field in the built environment.
Subscribe now via:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement
Guests
Dr Graeme Larsen
Dr Graeme Larsen is the Associate Dean (Sustainability) at UCEM. He’s also Visiting Professor at RMIT, Australia, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building as a Chartered Construction Manager. Grame also holds a key strategic international role within the prestigious International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), as coordinator for ‘Working Group 65 – Organization and Management in Construction’.
Dr James Ritson
Dr James Ritson is a Senior Lecturer at UCEM, and an architecturally trained building conservator with a focus on sustainability and historic built environment documentation. Alongside his role at UCEM, James holds key positions in various organisations, such as his role as the Vice President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability, and is published widely on sustainability, health, and conservation issues.
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
‘Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the second episode of our new Be Part of the Change podcast, Charlotte Thackeray, Outreach and Inclusion Lead at UCEM, is joined by Abel Muvhimi, a MSc student in Quantity Surveying originally from Zimbabwe.
The topics discussed on this episode include:
- Why Abel is pursuing a career in the built environment
- The role models that inspired him to enter the industry
- The challenges Abel has faced in developing his career
- What the sector needs to do to improve representation
The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.
'Be Part of the Change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.
It's also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.
In the opening episode of our new Be Part of the Change podcast, Charlotte Thackeray, Outreach and Inclusion Lead at UCEM, is joined by the podcast’s three hosts, Drew Greenhalgh, Ellie Garside and Ummi Mahinoor.
The topics discussed on this episode include:
- Why they’re pursuing careers in the built environment
- The role models that inspired them to enter the industry
- The work their employers are doing to support women and EDI
- What the sector needs to do to encourage more women to enter the industry
What is the role of a quantity surveyor? What different roles are there in the profession? And what’s the best thing about working in quantity surveying? Fielding these questions, as well as discussing her programme and who it might benefit, is our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying Programme Leader, Priti Lodhia. Listen to our seven-minute podcast, with UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asking the questions
What, traditionally, has the role of a construction manager entailed? How is the role changing? What role does technology play in this?To answer these questions and more, including how our BSc (Hons) Construction Management programme can support you in your progression in the role, listen to our short podcast with UCEM BSc (Hons) Construction Management Programme Leader and Associate Dean – Sustainability, Dr Graeme Larsen. Listen to our podcast, with UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asking the questions.
In the eighth episode of the Digging Deeper podcast, UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, is joined by UCEM apprentices on the BSc (Hons) Building Control programme, Kate Andrews and Deborah Ferro.To learn more about their roles, the apprenticeship and what they love about working in building control, listen in to the podcast.
The diversity of an industry is a key consideration when deciding what kind of career you wish to pursue. This plays a part in how welcoming you would judge a workplace. As it’s National Careers Week, we wanted to explore diversity in the built environment and, with the help of three leaders in this space, we look at the topic in more detail in this podcast. This podcast seeks to ascertain how diverse the built environment is, why diversity matters and what can be done to create a diverse professional pool in the sector, reflecting society more generally. The three guests on this podcast are Building People managing director, Teresa Scott OBE, DiverseCity Surveyors (DCS) founder and chair, Bola Abisogun OBE, and the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) CEO, Terry Watts, with UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, asking the questions. Teresa founded award-winning employability specialist Kennedy Scott, which she led for 30 years. Teresa has expertise in diversity, inclusion and employability, working collaboratively with industry and the public sector to ensure better representation of local communities across the country. Last month, Teresa became managing director of Building People – a free-to-use platform that aggregates built environment careers activity, enabling people to find knowledge, vacancies, events and opportunities, and employers to engage with a more diverse range of talent. Bola is founder and chair of DiverseCity Surveyors – the first Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) network which offers quality support services and educational training to BAME surveyors who are members of the RICS irrespective of their physical location across world. Terry is CEO of the CSTT, which is an independent charity that supports young people who face barriers to entering the surveying profession.
The final episode of our ‘history of LGBT spaces in London’ podcast series, launched to coincide with LGBT+ History Month this February, examines the recent decline in numbers of LGBTQ+ spaces in the capital.Part 1 of this episode sees our digital communications officer, Eliza White, provide an introduction and touch upon the myriad of reasons as to why the number of LGBTQ+ spaces in London is declining. Shaftesbury PLC chief executive, Brian Bickell, then joins UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, to provide a real estate perspective on this decline, including what can be done to preserve venues and how the market must adapt to the changing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. In Part 2, having gained research-based insights, thoughts from a CEO of an LGBTQ+ venue and a real estate perspective earlier in the series, Andrew Belt speaks to UCEM Trustees, Misa von Tunzelman (head of corporate affairs and marketing – Europe at Lendlease) and Chris Costigan (university secretary and chief compliance officer at Ravensbourne University London), for a more general perspective on the situation. Misa and Chris share their stories of coming out, both personally and professionally, their thoughts on progressing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in society and what role LGBTQ+ venues in London have played in their lives, as well as their views and hopes on the future of such spaces in the capital. In the final part of the episode, we explore the changing face of LGBTQ+ spaces in the capital, hearing from Dan Westley – the captain of the London Royals Hockey Club – the first openly LGBTQ+ hockey club in the UK. Dan, who is leasing director at Battersea Power Station, shares how the club has grown over its 16-year existence, comments on the burgeoning LGBTQ+ sports club scene in the capital and reflects on its growth in relation the falling number of traditional LGBTQ+ spaces in London. Eliza White then rejoins Andrew Belt for her conclusions on the series.
Episode 3 of our ‘history of LGBT spaces in London’ podcast series, launched to coincide with LGBT+ History Month this February, focuses on the area of Soho. Having looked at Vauxhall’s role as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community from the 18th century up until the present day in the previous episode, here, UCEM’s digital communications officer, Eliza White, turns her focus to Soho, debunking the perception of the area being ‘seedy’, sharing her research on the role it has played for the LGBTQ+ community over time and examining what role it might play in future, in conversation with UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt.
Episode 2 of our ‘history of LGBT spaces in London’ podcast series, launched to coincide with LGBT+ History Month this February, focuses on the district of Vauxhall. The episode is split into three parts, with UCEM’s digital communications officer, Eliza White, who came up with the idea for the series, sharing her research with UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, in part 1 on Vauxhall’s role as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community from the 18th century up until the present day. Part 2 sees James Lindsay, the CEO and managing director of cabaret venue, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, discuss with Andrew how he came to take over the Tavern, his experience of running it over the past eight years and his views on the challenges for LGBTQ+ spaces in London today. In the final part of the episode, Eliza rejoins Andrew for a brief reflection on the interview with James and to ponder the future of Vauxhall’s LGBTQ+ spaces.
To mark LGBT+ History Month this February, we are launching a four-part podcast series looking at the history of LGBT spaces in London. The brainchild of our digital communications officer, Eliza White, the series will examine a couple of case studies and end with a look at the role which LGBTQ+ spaces play today in the capital. In the first episode, Eliza comments on the educational role of the awareness month, explains the inspiration for the series and provides an insight into what’s to follow in the next three episodes.
Episode 11 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM'S Events and Communications Manager, Hannah Peck, talk to Jess Austen and Frankie Andrews from CBRE about all things apprenticeship.Jess was one of the first apprentices to study with UCEM so we wanted to ask her about her experience and what it's like now that she's graduated, got her APC and is working full-time with CBRE. Frankie is Associate Director – Talent, Learning and Development for CBRE and is responsible for managing their interns, grads and apprentices.
With the dust settling on COP26, we are reflecting on the event and one of the questions posed in the media was whether the UK was the right choice of host. We got our building surveying programme leader, James Ritson, and CertHE programme leader, Hazel Lobo, to debate as to whether the UK was a good or bad host.James argued on behalf of the statement ‘the UK was a good host’ and Hazel argued in favour of the statement ‘the UK was a bad host’, with UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, chairing the debate. Listen in and head to our website to vote in the poll - https://www.ucem.ac.uk/whats-happening/articles/podcast-cop-reflections-was-the-uk-a-good-or-bad-host/
Episode 7 of Digging Deeper is all about networking. The built environment can be a daunting place to enter if you don't know where to start or who to approach for an introduction. It can also be hard to know how best to work your way up the career ladder once you're in it. We wanted to help you with some of these dilemmas so we invited four guests - Sarah Hayford, Will Kintish, Karen Rogers and Kelly Smith - onto our podcast to talk to us about their insights, tips and advice on networking. Sarah Hayford is the founder and CEO of The Land Collective CIC. Will Kintish is an international speaker and trainer on networking. Karen Rogers is the RICS Early Engagement Manager and Kelly Smith is a sustainable development and built environment flood risk enthusiast.
Which stakeholder group holds the most responsibility for driving sustainability in the built environment? Is it legislators, investors, contractors or consumers? Four members of our academic team argued on behalf of each of the stakeholder groups to help answer these questions.Our CertHE programme leader, Hazel Lobo, argued on behalf of legislators; our real estate programme leader, David Hourihan, argued on behalf of investors; our building surveying programme leader, James Ritson, argued on behalf of contractors; and our tutor, Janet Hontoir, argued on behalf of consumers. UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, chaired the 30-minute debate.
To mark today’s ‘Adaptation, loss and damage day’ at COP26, we spoke to UCEM building surveying programme leader, James Ritson, for an insight on the topic. James, answering questions posed by UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, discusses the importance of adapting our current infrastructure to help with the goals of COP26 and how important it is to act now to halt future catastrophes caused by climate change.
Episode 10 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees guest presenter, UCEM’s executive director – regulation, Andy Youell, talk to Pearson UK chair, Mary Curnock Cook CBE. Mary is an educationalist who has previously served as chief executive of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and director of qualifications and skills at the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency. Mary was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 for assisting in training in the hospitality industry before being promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) just last year for services to further and higher education. Mary was invited by our Chair, Amanda Clack, to speak at this month’s board of trustees meeting on her expertise in education. Whilst Mary was in the office, we thought it presented a wonderful opportunity to get her thoughts on some of the pressing issues in higher education and also gain some life advice based on her hugely successful career.
We ran a competition for secondary school students in Berkshire to find solutions for the future of Reading Prison, which has not found a permanent usage since closing in 2013. After some excellent submissions, we whittled them down to a shortlist of four. We paired each of our shortlisted students with a UCEM academic who, here, debate on behalf of the students. Listen in to the debate and if you would like to vote for your favourite, head to ucem.ac.uk/competition to find our poll. The winning student will win their choice of either an iPad, electric scooter or £300 of gaming vouchers, as well as a careers talk for their school by UCEM real estate programme leader, David Hourihan.
In the fifth podcast of our series looking at how COVID-19 has affected built environment professions and organisations, we speak to Jane Keely – a director at UK-wide corporate building control approved inspector, Assent Building Control, about the impact of the pandemic on the industry.Jane answers questions from UCEM events and communications manager, Hannah Peck, about how COVID-19 has changed building control, why people should consider a career in the profession and more!
How much of an impact does the built environment have on our daily lives? How does the sector address sustainability? What do you gain from a career in the built environment?Our construction management programme leader, Christine Gausden, answers all these questions and reflects on her own specialism and how studying on one of her programmes can benefit you going forward in this podcast. UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, asks the questions.
Episode 9 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, talk to Rolcor Property director, Lucy Gaitskell. Life isn’t straightforward and throws many challenges at us. Studying part-time with us is a challenge which requires great self-motivation and self-discipline. When personal trauma is thrown into the mix as well, it becomes even harder and could persuade you to give up on your studies.
During Lucy’s time studying on our MBA Construction and Real Estate, she suffered the loss of a friend to bowel cancer and two miscarriages. Despite these challenges, she persevered and graduated with us last year. Earlier this year, she suffered a further miscarriage and, in this podcast, she discusses her study experience, what inspired her to complete the MBA and the success she has achieved with her company, Rolcor Property. If you are affected by any of the themes discussed in the podcast, you can access support through Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/.
If you are a student of ours experiencing any trauma or difficulties and wish to speak to someone, please get in touch with our disability and welfare team via the VLE.
Episode 8 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, talk to Omega RE managing director, Nella Pang. UCEM alumna, Nella discusses her journey into the built environment from a non-traditional background, her experience of being a woman and mother in the sector, becoming an entrepreneur, and plenty more
In the fourth podcast of our series looking at how COVID-19 has affected built environment professions and organisations, we speak to UCEM’s Principal, Ashley Wheaton, and head of facilities, Kathy Matthews, about the impact of the pandemic on the institution.What has it been like to lead an organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic? What has the past year and a bit been like for facilities managers? Ashley and Kathy answer these questions, respectively, and many more posed by UCEM’s PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, as we shine the spotlight on UCEM during this challenging period.
Join Andrew Belt, PR and social media manager, Kate Lindsay, head of digital education, and Adam O'Rourke, associate tutor, as they discuss one of UCEM's latest modules: Digital Technologies. This module is available on all of UCEM's undergraduate programmes.
In the third podcast of our series looking at how COVID-19 has affected built environment professions, we speak to Natasha Collins about the impact of the pandemic on commercial property.Natasha, who is a real estate tutor at UCEM and CEO/founder of surveying firm, NC Real Estate, answers questions from UCEM events and communications manager, Hannah Peck, about how COVID-19 has changed commercial property, her thoughts on the profession moving forwards and more!
In the second podcast of our series looking at how COVID-19 has affected built environment professions, we speak to Lewis Eagle about the impact of the pandemic on quantity surveying. Lewis, who is associate director – cost management at chartered quantity surveying practice, Northen Surveying Services, answers questions from UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, about how COVID-19 has changed quantity surveying, what new entrants can expect going into the profession, what impacts this will likely have in the long term and more!
Episode 7 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, talk to Valuation Office Agency (VOA) lead surveyor, Roy Albert.Roy discusses the Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship (Real Estate Management pathway) he studied with us, his career at the VOA, being an RICS APC assessor, playing cricket for Caribbean nation, Dominica, and much more in this 50-minute podcast!
Episode 6 of Digging Deeper looks at the Project module our Level 6 students work on. Our latest cohort of Level 6 students will soon be tackling the Project module – a two-semester research module culminating in a 10,000-word dissertation. To help those students prepare for the module, we sought perspectives from UCEM staff and students. UCEM academic delivery manager – projects, Jon Hubert, and module leader for the Undergraduate Project, Hazel Lobo, gave an overview of the Project, as well as their advice for students from a tutor’s and marker’s perspective. UCEM BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management student, Kristyna Hajkova, and BSc (Hons) Construction Management student, Gary Worthington, having recently submitted their dissertations, discussed their projects, the unique nature of the module and what they would do differently were they to do it again. UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, asked the questions.
Episode 5 of Digging Deeper focuses on neurodiversity. What is neurodiversity? What language should be used with neurodiversity? What opportunities are there for neurodivergent people in the property industry? These questions and plenty more are asked by our PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, in this podcast where we hear what Homes England is doing to support neurodiversity. First to answer questions is Zoe Bacon – property apprenticeship manager at the Office of Government Property – who works with UCEM on apprenticeships. We then hear from Miranda Foster – senior manager affordable housing products at Homes England – and Jenny Offord – senior planning and enabling manager at Homes England and a student on UCEM’s MBA Construction and Real Estate programme. Miranda and Jenny discuss their experiences of neurodiversity and the Homes England Neurodiversity Network which Miranda set up a year ago and for which, Jenny is vice-chair.
Episode 6 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, talk to Nisha Chavda and Priya Raithatha – co-creators of Brown Girls Empowering. Friends, Nisha and Priya, recently set up Brown Girls Empowering – an Instagram page devoted to sharing tips for entering the world of work. Nisha, an alumna of our MSc Construction Management programme, is a senior project manager for built environment consultancy practice, Pick Everard, and Priya, an alumna of Henley Business School’s MSc in Real Estate Investment and Finance, is a manager for estate and letting agents, Priya Properties. Over the course of an hour’s conversation, Nisha and Priya explain why they set up Brown Girls Empowering, their thoughts on working in the built environment and much more!
What is the Certificate of Higher Education Built Environment Studies? Who would benefit from studying on the programme? What exactly do you study on the programme? Programme leader, Hazel Lobo, tackles these questions and others posed by UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, in this 15-minute programme focus podcast.
Episode 5 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ podcast series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, speak to Josh Olney – AKA The Apprenticeship Guy.Josh is an apprentice project manager at Arcadis and is currently studying on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship on the project management pathway. Josh has set up The Apprenticeship Guy – a resource channel offering advice and tips about apprenticeships – and this project is the main subject of the podcast, with other topics discussed including mental health, career aspirations, Christmas and Luton Town!
Episode 4 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and social media manager, Andrew Belt, speak to UCEM’s student outreach manager, Nikki Bulteel.Nikki’s association with UCEM has seen her study with the institution, teach, head up different areas of UCEM, and she is now our student outreach manager. Here, she discusses her career with UCEM and how she is leading the institution’s drive to widen participation in the built environment in her current role.
In the first in a new series of podcasts focused on how COVID-19 has affected built environment professions, we speak to James Ritson – Programme Leader of our Building Surveying programmes.James discusses the impact of COVID-19 on building surveying, what newcomers to the profession can expect and how building surveyors are now at the forefront of the built environment.
Episode 3 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, speak to our MSc Quantity Surveying alumnus, Philip Goldstone – our Academic Excellence Award winner at this year’s Property Awards.In this 25-minute podcast, Philip discusses his award-winning dissertation on embedding ethics in construction, his study tips, his career to date and the perils of owning a hamster!
Episode 2 of our ‘UCEM in conversation with…’ series sees UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, speak to our MSc Surveying – Real Estate alumna, Jodie Ronan – our Alumni of the Year Award winner at this year’s Property Awards. In the 25-minute podcast, Jodie – the COO of Ronan Group Real Estate – discusses her career to date, her passion for sustainability, and even imparts on some of the best things to do on a weekend in Dublin!
The Harold Samuel Research Prize was inaugurated at last year’s UCEM Property Awards with Dan Hughes and Adrian Tagg the joint-first recipients of the Prize. But, what is the Harold Samuel Research Prize? How were the recipients chosen? And what is the outcome of the research reports? To find out the answers to these questions and more, UCEM’s Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, Aled Williams, the Founder of Alpha Property Insight and the RED Foundation, Dan Hughes, and Chartered Building Surveyor and Associate Professor at the University of Reading, Adrian Tagg, joined UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, for a discussion on the Prize and Dan’s and Adrian’s research projects.
Our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying Programme Leader, Amanda Milambo, discusses what inspired her to move from industry into academia, how she has found being Programme Leader and why you might want to study on her programme. UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asks the questions in this 15-minute podcast.
Ahead of A Level results day on Thursday (13 August), UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, spoke to our Assistant Admissions Officer, Jade Norris, and Certificate of Higher Education Built Environment Studies Programme Leader, Hazel Lobo, about Clearing. Jade outlined what Clearing is, what advice she would give to a student going into Clearing and how we can help with associated queries whilst Hazel explained why a student may wish to study on one of our programmes, the careers available within the Built Environment and what to expect should you enrol onto a UCEM programme through Clearing.
Our BSc (Hons) Construction Management Programme Leader, Dr Afolabi Dania, discusses his own undergraduate experience in gaining a BSc (Hons) in Building and compares that programme to the one he now leads. UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asks the questions in this 9-minute podcast.
Our MSc Building Surveying Programme Leader, James Ritson, discusses his favourite module - Analysis and Adaption of Buildings. The module is unique to the MSc Building Surveying programme and is led by James as Module Leader. To find out more about the module, listen to the 10-minute podcast, with UCEM’s PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asking the questions. (Originally released: 19 June 2020)
UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, spoke to our Careers and Employability Advisor, Bridget Wells, to discuss why someone in Year 13 would consider a career in the Built Environment and how our programmes can support any student with that aim. (Originally released: 19 June 2020)
We recently launched our new Postgraduate Access Programme which will enable more people around the world to attain an MSc degree. For further insight, our Postgraduate Access Programme Leader, David Hunt spoke to UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt about what students will study, the benefits of the programme and who it might appeal to. (Originally released: 29 June 2020)
Having launched our Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship earlier this month, Programme Leader, Dr Afolabi Dania, took the time to discuss the apprenticeship in more detail. Afolabi discussed the benefits of the apprenticeship from both the apprentice’s and employer’s points of view. UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asked the questions. (Originally released: 9 July 2020)
Why is good design so important in the Built Environment? How do you define ‘good’ when it comes to building design? And how does the design part relate to building control? For the answers to these (and more!), listen to this 20-minute podcast in which our BSc (Hons) Building Control Programme Leader, Jon Hubert outlines his thoughts to UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt. (Originally released: 26 June 2020)
Episode 3 of Digging Deeper looks at our journey into online learning.UCEM has been providing education for more than 100 years. Unsurprisingly, it is only for the latter part of our history that all teaching resources have been provided online. In this latest episode of Digging Deeper, UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, is joined by Lynne Downey (Vice Principal – Digital Education and Professional Services) who managed the institution’s transition to become fully online, and Kate Lindsay, our Head of Digital Education. Lynne discusses the process of transforming UCEM’s teaching provision to a wholly online model and Kate brings us up to date with where we are now and where we are headed as the leading provider of supported online education for the Built Environment. Lynne and Kate also offer advice for other institutions looking to move online and share their top entertainment picks and activities during lockdown! (Originally released: 19 June 2020)
Are you considering studying on an MBA? If so, you might enjoy this podcast with our MBA Construction and Real Estate Programme Leader, Marios Konstantinidis, who discusses his own experience of studying on an MBA, the benefits of going down that route and how our programme can help leaders in the construction and real estate industries. Listen to the podcast, with UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, asking the questions. (Originally released: 2 July 2020)
What are the main construction technologies for construction managers to be aware of? How do these technologies aid the construction process? Is technology in construction a good thing? Our MSc Construction Manager, Dr Afolabi Dania, joined UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, to answer these questions and more.
Introducing The UCEM Good News podcast – a new series of podcasts providing heartwarming and inspirational stories during these uncertain times. In Episode 1, UCEM’s PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, speaks to our Chartered Surveyor apprentice (Commercial Real Estate pathway), James Doyle, about the work he has undertaken in his role as a Sunderland City Councillor to create a volunteer support network for the most vulnerable people in his Fulwell ward during the coronavirus lockdown. James also discusses his involvement in our recent NUS Responsible Futures audit, his thoughts on the apprenticeships thus far and how he manages to juggle studying, working and being a Councillor all at the same time! (Originally released: 9 April 2020)
In the second episode of our new UCEM Good News Podcast series, PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, interviews Gary Poulton – a contestant on Series 11 of The Apprentice on BBC. Gary recently completed his MSc in Construction Management with UCEM and shares his thoughts on the course, his time on our TV screens and his self-motivation tips, among other things during this in-depth conversation. (Originally released: 20 May 2020)
What challenges does climate change bring to the Built Environment? How can Built Environment professionals meet these challenges? And what challenges are faced by our existing Built Environment in the face of changing sustainable requirements of the 21st century? Our MSc Building Surveying Programme Leader, James Ritson, answers these questions and more in this 20-minute podcast with UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt. (Originally released: 18 June 2020)
Our MSc Real Estate Programme Leader, David Hourihan, spoke to UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, about his career, and what he loves about working in real estate and academia. Over the course of the 20 minutes, David talks about how real estate is people-centric (citing a few key people who influenced him in his career), explains what drives him and even finds time to discuss his passion for cycling! (Originally released: 4 June 2020)
Our MSc Quantity Surveying Programme Leader, Amanda Milambo, spoke to UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, about her experience studying an MSc course whilst working and raising a family, what advice she would give to anyone considering studying on her programme and what she loves about quantity surveying. (Originally released: 29 May 2020)
Episode 2 of Digging Deeper focuses on sustainability.UCEM was recently audited by students for its National Union of Students (NUS) Responsible Futures reaccreditation effort. With several students and apprentices at our Reading-based HQ, it provided a great opportunity to sit down and speak to them. Here, UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, spoke to UCEM’s Research Assistant – Education & Sustainability, Antonia Lindsay, and Chartered Surveyor apprentices, Rebecca Thurman and Harry Bowen from Arup, about the audit and the group’s thoughts on sustainability and why it matters. (Originally released: 20 March 2020)
Episode 1 of our new Digging Deeper podcast focuses on apprenticeships. UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, is joined by UCEM Principal, Ashley Wheaton, UCEM Director of Commercial and Business Development, Stephen Bartle, and UCEM Chartered Surveyor Degree apprentice (Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway), Rebecca Turner, who is a Trainee Surveyor at AECOM, for a round-table discussion on the topic. From UCEM’s initial first steps into apprenticeship provision to the current day, and hearing what Rebecca has to say on being an apprentice with us, the discussion covers the institution’s commitment to apprenticeships in detail from the key players in the agenda’s implementation and delivery. (Originally released: 7 February 2020)
Episode 1 of the UCEM in conversation with… podcast sees UCEM PR and Social Media Manager, Andrew Belt, speak to our MSc Building Surveying alumna, Emma Martinez – the winner of the Academic Excellence Award at the 2019 Property Awards. Emma won the Academic Excellence Award for her Project entitled ‘To what extent is London’s football heritage being lost in the rush to replace and adapt historical stadia that are no longer considered fit for purpose?’ in which she reviewed contrasting approaches by Fulham FC and West Ham United. In this episode, Emma talks in detail about her project and her thoughts on football clubs’ history and value, touching upon the dichotomy between clubs as businesses and as community assets. (Originally released: 20 December 2019)