THE Connect

The University of Exeter and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have launched an Accelerated Law Programme, giving students the opportunity to combine an undergraduate degree at SFU with a Bachelor of Laws at Exeter. The six-year dual degree aims to broaden students’ perspectives through international and interdisciplinary study, while creating new opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Caroline Fournet, head of the Law School at the University of Exeter, and Dai Heide, associate dean for learning, teaching and student experience at Simon Fraser University, about the programme and how international experience can help shape better lawyers. They discuss the benefits of studying different legal traditions, widening access to legal education, graduate employability and opportunities for future collaboration in teaching and research.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Exeter.

Higher education is central to research and knowledge creation. But today, institutions are being challenged to go one step further by turning their excellence into innovation, entrepreneurship and measurable impact. Programmes such as the Higher Education Initiative by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, recognise this shift, helping institutions strengthen their innovation capacity and accelerate their contribution to Europe’s knowledge and innovation ecosystem.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Sreethu Sajeev speaks with Ilaria Tagliavini, head of operations at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. They discuss how universities and industry can strengthen collaboration, and the role of higher education in driving innovation in Europe.

This episode is sponsored by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Neurological disorders affect more than 3 billion people worldwide, representing the leading cause of disease burden and the second leading cause of death. In response to this global challenge and aligned with the World Health Organization’s action plan for epilepsy and other neurological disorders, the Liverpool Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Centre, known as LINC, brings together nearly 170 researchers and clinicians from the University of Liverpool, The Walton Centre, Alder Hey, Mersey Care and international partners.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Benedict Michael, director of LINC and the Brain Infection and Inflammation Group at the University of Liverpool. They discuss the challenges that neurological disorders present and the benefits of bringing interdisciplinary expertise together to address global health problems.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Liverpool.

Higher education participation varies significantly across the UK. In areas known as higher education cold spots – regions with historically low rates of university enrolment – businesses often struggle to access the skilled talent they need, limiting both regional and national economic growth.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn is joined by Mark Durkin, pro vice-chancellor for partnerships and enterprise at the Open University, to discuss the institution's In From the Cold report. Drawing on insights from more than 350 employers in higher education cold spots, the report examines how organisations can better identify and develop talent, why long-term commitments to inclusion matter, and what effective partnerships between employers and further education colleges look like.

Read the In From the Cold report.

This episode is sponsored by the Open University.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) refers to the development of students’ abilities to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions and navigate complex social environments. While traditionally emphasised in primary and secondary education, SEL is increasingly recognised as critical in higher education.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Fajer Bin Rashed, assistant professor in the English Language Programme at the Australian University in Kuwait. Rashed’s work focuses on the value of integrating SEL into higher education to support student well-being, enhance collaboration and encourage ethical reasoning, competencies that are essential for addressing complex global challenges and contributing meaningfully to a sustainable and inclusive society.

This episode is sponsored by the Australian University in Kuwait.

The Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at City University of Hong Kong focuses on shaping students to be compassionate about animal welfare and nurturing their development as emerging veterinary scientists

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Sreethu Sajeev speaks with Vanessa Barrs, dean of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, and student Jalal Abdullah Ali Abdulrahim about the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme at City University of Hong Kong. The episode explores the programme’s focus on practical clinical skills, research projects and real-world placements.

This episode is sponsored by City University of Hong Kong.

Led by researchers at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, the LINKS project evaluates and strengthens evidence-based early-childhood programmes in conflict-affected countries, developing culturally grounded models that connect quality early education with long-term social cohesion and peacebuilding outcomes.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Laura Dunne, reader at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast. They explore the global impact of the LINKS project and the next steps for research, policy and practice when integrating childhood development into peacebuilding efforts.

This episode is sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast.

The Centre for Precision Technologies at the University of Huddersfield advances precision engineering through integrated research, doctoral training and close collaboration with industry partners. Through diverse funding streams and strategic innovation efforts, the centre delivers both fundamental research and real-world manufacturing impact while preparing for emerging technologies.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Alistair Lawrence speaks with Liam Blunt, director of the Centre for Precision Technologies, and Andrew Longstaff, research director at the Centre for Precision Technologies at the University of Huddersfield

This episode is sponsored by the University of Huddersfield.

Digital technologies give universities powerful ways to enhance how students learn, but the real challenge lies in using them effectively. Too often, new tools are introduced without input from those who will use them, leading to poor adoption. At Queen’s University Belfast, the Centre for Technological Innovation, Mental Health and Education collaborates with clinicians and educators to design immersive, practical learning experiences.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Paul Best, director of the Centre for Technological Innovation, Mental Health and Education, and Janine Stockdale, lead midwife for education at Queen’s University Belfast.

This episode is sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast.

A partnership between University of Exeter and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has seen the two institutions collaborating to share resources, expertise and ideas relating to sport science. The partnership is addressing the needs of India’s rapidly growing sports sector, improving outcomes for elite athletes and increasing participation at the grassroots level.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Dominic Farris, associate professor and director of global engagement for the Department of Public Health and Sports Sciences at the University of Exeter, and Biswarup Mukherjee, associate professor in the Centre for Biomedical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Exeter.

From the science of hearing and spatial perception to innovations in sound design, psychoacoustic research is transforming the way we listen. Audio and psychoacoustic engineering explore how humans perceive sound and how researchers use that knowledge to shape audio technology.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Hyunkook Lee, a professor of audio and psychoacoustic engineering at the University of Huddersfield.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Huddersfield.

The communities of microorganisms living within and around us shape the way infections begin, progress and resolve. By studying the microbiome alongside pathogens, researchers are uncovering why some individuals are more resilient than others and how this insight could transform prevention and treatment strategies.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Jo Fothergill, professor of medical microbiology in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, and Steve Paterson, professor of genetics in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour at the University of Liverpool.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Liverpool.

UK railway research is making rail transport more competitive, environmentally friendly and passenger-centric – both at home and abroad. The Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield works with academic, industry and government partners to ensure that its research has real-world impact.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Paul Allen, director of the Institute of Railway Research, and Joao Pombo, professor of railway technology at the institute.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Huddersfield.

Rapid advances in AI are fundamentally altering how work is organised worldwide. Enterprises are rethinking how they operate, roles are being redesigned, and the skills required to succeed are evolving faster than ever. In response to these changes, Huawei has published a white paper, ICT Job Roles and Skills in the Intelligent World, offering guidance for organisations, educators and policymakers as they adapt to an AI-driven economy.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Dr. Mazen Ali, dean of the IT College at the University of Bahrain and president of the ISACA’s Bahrain Chapter, and Tamara Tavsultanova, executive manager in the ICT talent partner development department at Huawei.

This episode is sponsored by Huawei.

The landscape of forensic investigation and national security is rapidly evolving, demanding a sophisticated fusion of academic rigour and operational experience. At the forefront of this movement is the University of Huddersfield, which is taking a pioneering approach to investigative psychology.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with John Synnott, who is director of the University of Huddersfield’s Professional Doctoral Academy, and Maria Ioannou, who is deputy director of the academy and director of the university's Cyberpsychology Research Network.

This episode is sponsored by the University of Huddersfield.

As AI transforms every facet of society, universities face the challenge of rethinking how we learn, teach and innovate. The National University of Singapore's School of Computing is rethinking its curriculum to move beyond traditional knowledge delivery and embrace AI-enabled, lifelong learning.

In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Tulika Mitra, dean of the School of Computing at the National University of Singapore, and Suranga Nanayakkara, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science.

This episode is sponsored by the National University of Singapore.