Exeplore: Recent Episodes
University of Exeter
Welcome to Exeplore, the official University of Exeter podcast, which celebrates the richness of life within our global community. Each week we explore a different topic with our students, staff and alumni. If you have any suggestions for future content drop us an email at studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
In this National Apprenticeship Week episode, Lucy Brandram speaks with Jody Ede (Director of Nursing) and Elle Hammond (Programme Lead) about how NHS Trusts can identify and nurture future nurses through the Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Exeter.
They explore practical ways clinical leaders can spot staff with potential, boost their confidence, and support them before and during apprenticeship study. The discussion highlights the challenges facing mature learners, how the University’s experienced apprenticeship team provides tailored academic and pastoral support, and the importance of partnership working with employers.
The team also introduce the programme’s innovative workplace‑based “innovation module,” designed to help degree apprentices (DAs) create real, evidence‑based improvements in their clinical environments — giving employers tangible value and enhancing patient care.
Learn more about the Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Exeter: Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship | University of Exeter
You’ll find programme information and upcoming information session dates, or you can submit an enquiry directly to the Degree Apprenticeships team
As we celebrate 10 years of degree apprenticeships at the University of Exeter, Julia Paci from the University of Exeter’s Degree Apprenticeships team speaks with Sharron Robbie MBE - CEO of the Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network, Lisa Vanstone - Managing Director of One-Voice Media, and Matt Norrish - a Director from Lineal Software Solutions, about how degree apprenticeships are having an impact in the South West region.
They explore how they have set up a “learning culture” within their businesses and how effective apprenticeships are for delivering training. They also discuss the impact and importance of apprenticeships for businesses in South West England as a way to retain talent in the region.
This podcast is part of our week-long National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. Find out more here.
The University of Exeter’s innovative Level 6 MSc Degree Apprenticeship in Diagnostic Radiography is helping to fill a gap in the NHS workforce by offering apprentices the opportunity to earn while they learn, working embedded in the NHS as they study for their Masters from a Russell Group university. Hosted by Programme Lead Jenny Shepherd, this episode explores the experience of employers in supporting and hosting students as they study.
Gill Kite (Superintendent Radiographer and Radiology governance lead for Northern Services) and Karl Nottage (Lead Practice Educator for Northern Services) from Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust share insights into this innovative and accelerated two-year programme’s benefits, challenges, and its impact on apprentices and the radiology workforce. To find out how to sign up to recruit high-quality student radiographers to work with you while they study, contact health.apprenticeships@exeter.ac.uk
Credit: Produced by Technical Strategy & Operations team at the Department of Communications, Drama & Film, University of Exeter
In this episode we talk to Kit Joubert and Lorna Ferguson from X Racing, the University’s Formula Student Team.
Recorded in the weeks before the 2024 Formula Student engineering competition took place at Silverstone, in July, we hear about the highs and lows of the team’s preparation for this year’s competition, their hopes for the future, and how getting involved in X Racing’s interdisciplinary team could help shift your CV up a gear and drive your career, whatever you study.
You can find out more about X Racing, how they got on at Silverstone and how you can get involved at www.xracingexeter.co.uk or follow their social media @xracingexeter.
As the South-West Innovation Expo draws to a close, Stuart Elford from Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Richard Marsh from Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Andy Dean from University of Exeter, Jenny Milligan from University of Plymouth and Bruce Colley from Innovate UK discuss what they’ve learnt and discovered from the day and what they’ll take away.
Find out how the University of Exeter can support your organisation: https://www.exeterinnovation.com/
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
The journey towards achieving net zero emissions can be a complex one.
To set us off on the correct course we have Amanda Burton, Circular Engineering Design Consultant & Visiting Research Fellow at University of Plymouth, Saul Whitford, Knowledge Exchange & Impact Officer at University of Plymouth and Russ Wakeham, CEO of 2 Drifters Rum.
Work with the University of Exeter on environment and sustainability initiatives: https://exeterinnovation.com/expertise/environment/
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
Join Dr. Diego Panici, Lecturer in Hydrological and Water Quality Modelling at the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW); and Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources at South West Water, as we dive into the persistent challenges surrounding water.
CREWW, a collaboration between the University of Exeter and South West Water, leads interdisciplinary research to manage resources sustainably, and protect water systems against climate change and population growth.
Work with the University of Exeter on environment and sustainability initiatives:
https://exeterinnovation.com/expertise/environment/
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
How can digital tech break down barriers to inclusion and enhance wellbeing?
We find out with Gareth Allen, Managing Director of Soundview Media, Kyra Boyle, Associate Lecturer of NHS Digital Team at University of Plymouth and Declan Hadley of Business Development Healthcare at CISCO.
Work with the University of Exeter on health and wellbeing initiatives: https://exeterinnovation.com/expertise/health/
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
The concept of offsetting the impact on biodiversity through the creation of new habitats elsewhere is gaining traction as a crucial aspect of sustainable development. But how is this principle being put into practice, and what implications does it hold for the building industry and communities?
Join us as Dr. Ben Balmford, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Economics at the University of Exeter, Amy Coulthard, Director of Operations at EnTrade, and Dr. Dan Bloomfield, Impact & Partnership Manager for Nature Recovery & Food Systems for Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter, delve into the main points.
Work with the University of Exeter on environment and sustainability initiatives: https://exeterinnovation.com/expertise/environment/
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
Delve into the essential role of metals and minerals in our everyday devices like smartphones, TVs, and batteries, and contemplate how our world would function without them. Yet, the extraction process raises critical questions about both economic impact and environmental sustainability.
Joining us to explore these intricacies are two distinguished guests from the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter: Dr. Hadi Mohammadi, Research Fellow, and Dr. Rob Fitzpatrick, Senior Lecturer.
Find out how the University of Exeter can work with your organisation on environment and sustainability initiatives: https://exeterinnovation.com/expertise/environment/
Podcast produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios
As technology rapidly evolves, how is it affecting agriculture? Is new technology easily available for farmers in the current economic climate?
Jake Gibson Shaw-Sutton, Academic Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Plymouth and The Earl of Devon, Charles Courtenay discuss.
Find out how the University of Exeter can support your organisation: https://exeterinnovation.com/
Podcast produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
Step into the spotlight of the Great South West as we uncover its potential for local businesses, leaders, and organisations.
Dr. Andy Dean, Head of Regional Engagement for Exeter Innovation at Exeter University; Jenny Milligan, Head of Regional and Civic Engagement at the University of Plymouth; Ahmed Goga, Director of Great South West; and Layla Burrows, Regional Manager of Innovate UK, are here with all the insights.
Find out how the University of Exeter can support your organisation: https://exeterinnovation.com/
Podcast produced by Fresh Air Studios, hosted by Paul Philpott, Vice Chair of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Fresh Air Studios.
For our second episode making National Apprenticeship Week, we join the Advanced Practice community! 🏥👩⚕️
Discover the Level 7 Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Exeter. 🎓🔝
Learn about the incredible benefits of completing this apprenticeship, gain insights into the three-year program, and unlock endless career opportunities within the Healthcare Industry.
🚀💼 Join us now and take your career AND POTENTIAL to new heights! 🌟👩⚕️
Links to further information: Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship | Degree Partnerships | University of Exeter or email health.apprenticeships@exeter.ac.uk
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we join the Healthcare Leadership and Management community! 🏥👩⚕️ Discover the Level 7 Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management Apprenticeship at the University of Exeter. 🎓🔝
Learn about the incredible benefits of completing this apprenticeship, gain insights into the two-year program, and unlock endless career opportunities within the Healthcare Industry. 🚀💼
Further information: Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management | Degree Partnerships | University of Exeter or email health.apprenticeships@exeter.ac.uk
In this episode we discuss Students as Change Agents, a scheme that empowers our students to lead projects that will improve the Uni experience for themselves and their peers. We’re joined by Ella Taviner and Andrea Namirembe who, in their final year as History students, co-led a project to develop guidance on the use of content warnings in academia. We also hear from Rachel Griffiths, our Senior Education Developer who supported their project.
Their project findings were subsequently published as a case study on the Times Higher Education website and in their Navigating Content Warnings blog and has since been developed into a toolkit for our teaching colleagues at the Uni.
You can find out more about our Students as Change Agents Scheme at www.exeter.ac.uk/changeagents.
Covering 70% of the earth’s surface, our oceans absorb 90% of the world’s heat and one third of all human-produced carbon dioxide. They are the beating heart of our planet, which is why preserving them is a challenge we must rise to.
Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus gives an insight into how we can protect our oceans and some of the specific research taking place at the University.
If you're interested in hearing more from Professor Roberts, join him on World Ocean Day with a panel of marine experts to discuss the recent High Seas Treaty and how we can protect our marine environment.
A University of Exeter Research with Impact Podcast.
Is worrying about sleep keeping you awake?
In this episode, sleep behaviour specialist Dr Dimitri Gavriloff discusses our bodies’ natural sleep responses, the impact of stresses of our modern day lives, and how not trying too hard could be the most healthy approach to a good night’s sleep.
Dimitri is the Clinical Engagement Lead with Big Health on the digital insomnia therapy tool ‘Sleepio’, which is provided by the University to our students and staff: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing/self-care/sleep/sleepio/.
He is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in behavioural sleep medicine. In addition to his role on Sleepio, he works in the NHS and teaches sleep medicine at Oxford University.
In this episode, we catch up with The Students’ Guild Advice Service who provide their top tips for managing your finances at University.
Useful resources:
For students on our Exeter campuses Students Guild Advice service
For students on our Cornwall campuses The Students' Union Advice Service
Also see
Advice on the University of Exeter website
Save the Student - for advice and student deals
Money Helper - government money advice service
In this episode of Exeplore, we chat with the University’s head of security, Dan Nicoll, about the work of the Estate Patrol team across our Exeter campuses.
Get an insight into the role of our campus security team as Dan discusses how they work with students, staff and the wider community to help keep everyone at the University safe. From responding to alerts on the SafeZone app to their reaction to the WW2 bomb on campus in February 2021, no two days are ever the same for Estate Patrol.
You can learn more about the work of our campus security team and how to contact them here: www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/campusservices/campussecurity/
At the University of Exeter we’re working to create a fair, socially just and inclusive society, and believe that fair access for all to higher education is fundamental to achieving that. Nicola Sinclair, Head of Widening Participation discusses the work we’re doing to overcome barriers that prevent students from going on to university, and to enable more people from diverse backgrounds to learn, succeed and progress through higher education. While first year MSc Nursing student, Harry Hayes, shares his experience of the University’s Exeter Scholars scheme, and how it helped him find his path to university.
We believe that fair access to higher education improves life opportunities and outcomes for individual students, while benefiting the economy and society as a whole. We’re committed to supporting students from all backgrounds to access, progress and succeed through higher education to ensure they reach their potential at University and as graduates.
You can find out more and see our access and participation strategy at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/vision/wp/
Exeter scholars is a free programme for students from Year 10 to Year 13, providing an opportunity to find out more about the University, develop a passion for a chosen subject and gain first-hand experience of student life at the University of Exeter.
Find out more at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/exeterscholars/
Trigger warning: suicide and suicide prevention
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week we find out about the different ways hairdressers and barbers can support our wellbeing whilst we’re sitting in the cutting chair. We also hear from the Mind Your Head Society run by the Students’ Guild and the support they offer to students throughout the year.
Please be aware that this edition of Exeplore contains references to suicide and suicide prevention. There are links below to organisations which can support anyone who needs it and you will hear some of these mentioned in the podcast.
In an emergency situation dial 999. Support is available from the Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s First Response Service. This is a 24/7 Urgent Mental Health Helpline and can be accessed by calling 0808 196 8708.
Samaritans is always available for your call. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org
Students can access support from the University’s wellbeing pages:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/support/urgentsupport/ https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/
University staff can access support on these pages: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing/
The podcast mentions two sites: https://hubofhope.co.uk/ and https://mypickle.org/
And discover more about Mind Your Head Society on the Students’ Guild pages and the Lions Barber Collective on their webpages.
In this episode of Exeplore, we take a whistle-stop tour around Devon and Cornwall. We discuss the benefits of travelling around the counties whilst studying on our campuses with two local experts Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall and Robert Steemson, Community and Landscape Management Ranger at Dartmoor National Park. Whether it's a day on the beach in Exmouth or a ramble to St Ives, there are many things to discover across the region.
You can find out more about the top destinations and how to reach them at Visit Cornwall and Visit Devon.
As a keen hockey player Issy Bailey was drawn to study at Exeter and spent her first year playing for the University’s first team. During her first summer break she had a car accident which paralysed her from the waist down. But whilst rehabilitating she took up a new sport, pistol shooting; a sport which would see her compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
As part of our Mind Over Natter series Issy joined us to explain how this sport gave her a fresh perspective on life and helped shape the person she is today. In the podcast she gives us an insight to competing at the highest level whilst looking after her wellbeing. Listen now to hear her talk which is filled with useful motivational tips.
As part of the University of Exeter’s Festival of Compassion two University students were delighted to interview horn musician Felix Kleiser. Felix is Artist in Residence with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra who are UOE’s academic partner. In this podcast, he tells us about his early love of playing music and where his mind takes him while he is playing. He also chats about the many ways music can build bridges and bring people together regardless of language or cultural background.
In this episode of Exeplore we celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, as Rebecca Wilson chats to Katy Dalglish, the President of the Athletics Union in Exeter.
Katy explains the importance of inclusion, how her ‘This Girl Can’ campaign has been addressing barriers to women in sport and why she loves working with Club captains of the University's sports teams.
Find out more about the Athletics Union in Exeter here and about the University's International Women's Day campaign here.
In this episode Rebecca Wilson, from your Student Communications team, chats to President Exeter of the Students’ Union, Stevie Preece, and President Welfare and Inclusivity, Charlotte Agnew. Charlotte and Stevie share their key priorities for this year, their passion for representing students in Cornwall and the benefits of studying near the coast – including sea swimming and beach trips.
They also shared plans for making the University more sustainable, improving accessibility for students and much more.
You can find out more about the Students' Union here and access student wellbeing resources here.
In this episode Rebecca Wilson, from your Student Communications team, chats to the President of the Students’ Guild in Exeter, Lily Margaroli, and Vice President Opportunities, Izzy Harrison. Lily and Izzy share their highlights from term 1, advice for anyone thinking of running in the Students’ Guild elections and their favourite memories from their time so far.
We also discussed their passion for representing students, Lily’ trip to COP26 in November 2021 and their plans for making the University more sustainable.
You can find more info on the Students’ Guild here, and University of Exeter Wellbeing resources here.
Graduate and best-selling author Milly Johnson talks about her successful career, how her time at uni shaped her, and why it's important the romantic fiction genre is not overlooked by the industry.
While the medical and science communities were in the frontline of the physical fight against COVID-19, arts and humanities played an important role in helping maintain mental health and connection within communities. This was set against the challenge of seeking new creative ways to reach audiences in the midst of lockdowns.
As the Principal Investigator for ‘The Pandemic and Beyond’, Professor Pascale Aebsicher oversees over 70 research projects exploring the importance of the arts, humanities and creative industries in understanding and addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this episode of Exeplore, we discuss the significant contributions these industries make to public health and the economy, explore some key misconceptions, and consider the long-term innovations that have happened as a result of COVID-19.
You can also find out more about ‘The Pandemic and Beyond’ here.
Each year, hundreds of students come together to tackle global problems in a five-day collaborative project called ‘Grand Challenges’. This year, the programme was held virtually as ‘Challenges Online’ with each project aiming to tackle a different UN sustainability goal.
From gender inequality and fake news to sustainability and the climate emergency, students worked in groups to develop creative solutions to these pressing issues.
In this episode of Exeplore, we chat to students from the 2021 winning groups about the innovative solutions they came up with, why these issues are so important and what they learnt from the experience. We also spoke to Postgraduate facilitators who helped support these student projects, and one of the event organisers. You find out more about the winning projects and challenges online here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/employability-schemes/challengesonline/
Exeter Student Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening service run by trained volunteers for students at the University of Exeter. In this episode of Explore we talk with Lily Margaroli about her time as Nightline Co-President and how it will help her become a better Students’ Guild president. Listen out for Lily’s top tips on how we can all improve our active listening skills.
- Nightline offers support for students every night of term from 8pm – 1am. Click here to access Exeter’s Student Nightline’s services
- Need to get in touch with wellbeing services? Students based in Exeter can find contact details here
- If you are a Cornwall student, please click here to contact the Wellbeing team for Cornwall campuses
- More information about procrastination and perfectionism can be accessed on the wellbeing webpages.
TikTok, the short-video app has taken the social media world by storm, with many people using it to build start-ups and personal brands. So are we clocking an easy way to build a successful business and if not, what other benefits does being an entrepreneur on Tik Tok bring at a time of global change? In this episode, we discuss this and more with Raphael Dennett, the Deputy Director at our Centre for Entrepreneurship.
When it comes to trying to reduce our carbon footprint and make changes in the face of the climate emergency, local knowledge from communities is vital, according to Professor Patrick Devine-Wright. It's something he knows about on a practical level as well as an academic one, as he talks about his role as Chair of the Devon Carbon Plan and the actions needed to reach net zero in the county. We also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate policy and changes in recent years to the narrative.
Spending time in nature can boost our mental health but can experiencing nature digitally have a similar impact? This is one of the ideas which PhD student, Alex Smalley, has been exploring alongside the BBC in the ‘Virtual Nature’ experiment. In this episode we catch up with Alex to talk about how technology can combine with nature to improve wellbeing.
If you want to take part in the Virtual Nature experiment you can do so at https://www.bbc.co.uk/soundscapesforwellbeing
In this episode of Exeplore, we celebrate International Women’s Day! Colleagues across the University have been nominating inspirational women that they work with for recognition. We couldn't speak to everyone (unfortunately), so we caught up with three women with different recent experiences - Associate Professor Victoria Tischler who’s new to the University, Shades Chaudhary who has been a student, Guild President and now works in our Equality Diversity and Inclusion team and Cath Ashenden who works in IT for our Cornwall campus and has changed roles during lockdown.
You can check out all the inspirational nominees here and our International Women’s Day events here.
What is it like to be the Presidents of a Students' Union in the middle of a pandemic? How do you support students while the country is in lockdown? In this episode, we’re joined by Cara Chittenden, Students’ Union President Exeter, and Charlotte Agnew, SU President Welfare and Inclusivity, who share their views on becoming Presidents during COVID-19. They also talk about some of the initiatives they've been using this year to help everyone stay connected in an online world.
The University of Exeter has two campuses in Cornwall: Penryn and Truro. Our Penryn campus is shared with Falmouth University, so our students in Cornwall are represented by the Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union. You can find out more about the Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union here, and access student wellbeing resources here.
During this episode, Assistant Director of Grounds, Iain Park, joins us as we explore why the grounds at Streatham Campus offer a great space for students, staff, animals and plants to thrive in. We also talk about what impact the Coronavirus lockdown had on the grounds in spring 2020. If you’re interested in keeping up to date with what’s going on in the grounds follow them on Instagram https://bit.ly/3qC2dCP. More information about the Wellbeing Walks Iain talks about can also be found on the website: http://ex.ac.uk/crh
A good or bad reputation used to be something that only celebrities or politicians had to worry about, but with the advent of social media, the way we’re regarded can now have an impact on any one of us. Businesses too are ever-mindful of how their actions might be viewed by their customers. So how important a role does reputation play in our lives, and what should we do about it if things go wrong?
The USA has gone through one of the most tumultuous times in its history. As Joe Biden takes the reins as the 46th President, what challenges does the country face? How split is the nation and what might the future hold?
In this episode we chat to the President of the Students’ Guild in Exeter, Sunday Blake. She shares her hopes for term 2, advice for anyone thinking of running in the Students’ Guild elections and why she loves working with students. We also explored the challenges of working during COVID-19, her passion for student wellbeing and why the Students’ Guild have been reaching out on social media and by phone. You can find more info on the Students’ Guild here, and University of Exeter Wellbeing resources here.
Trigger warning: suicide
Due to our students' amazing fundraising efforts, the University of Exeter has managed to raise more than £200,000 for the Movember Foundation in 2020, the highest total for any university in the UK.
In this week’s episode we talk to a few of the Exeter Movember Ambassadors about their experiences with the Foundation and their motives for getting involved. We also spoke with Ozzie and Ronnie, two of the fundraising managers at UK Movember, to get their personal reflections on the campaign this year and find out how the money raised goes towards supporting men’s health.
Trigger warning: suicide
During this episode we explore one of the major themes of the Movember campaign: masculinity and men's mental health. We chat to current students and alumni about their own experiences of Movember and why the discourse around men's mental health needs to change.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/