The Policy Pod

Dr Wassim Dbouk from Public Policy|Southampton and Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute attended COP28 as part of the Lebanese delegation. In this interview podcast, he shared his reflections on his experience at the summit, highlighting the challenges which the research community faces in engaging with the COP process. Read his blog here.              

In this podcast, we explore the MELD-B project, a pioneering study on early-onset burdensome multimorbidity. Learn about its origins, the significance of "burdensomeness," and how stakeholders from patients to policymakers view and tackle this issue. Discover how types of burden are identified and grouped, revolutionizing our approach to complex health challenges. Join us for a deep dive into MELD-B's transformative research. Learn more about the project here: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Life Course Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) A recent publication to read: A conceptual framework for characterising lifecourse determinants of multiple long-term condition multimorbidity

In this illuminating episode of 'Policy Pod', Giles engages in a captivating conversation with Professor Andrew Cruden, who is a member of the Institute for Life Sciences, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and Energy Technology Group. Professor Cruden introduces to us their groundbreaking FEVER project, which is dedicated to the development and demonstration of a fully autonomous, cost-effective, and socially embraced electric vehicle charger powered by renewables.   Get ready to be inspired as Andrew opens up about his educational journey and career trajectory in the fields of mathematics and physics, providing a unique perspective that sets the stage for this enthralling discussion.   For a deeper dive into the FEVER project, make sure to visit their official website at FEVER

For the 4th series of Policy|Pod, we thought we'd shake up the format and introduce you to some of the Public Policy|Southampton team to learn more about their journey to PPS and the role they perform within the team. Keen to know more? You can find about team members (and their favourite catchphrases) here: MEET THE TEAM; ABOUT US PLUS we would love to hear from you about topics you would like to be briefed on contact us with your briefing request on: publicpolicy@soton.ac.uk

In this episode Dr Emilia Holland and Dr Simon Fraser talk about how their research will help in understanding when multiple long-term condition multi-morbidity (MLTC-M) becomes ‘burdensome’ and the best opportunities for intervention. Background  A growing number of people are living with several long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, depression or dementia. We call this multiple long-term condition multi-morbidity (MLTC-M). Many things throughout a person’s life influence the chances of developing health conditions. This includes their biology (e.g. age, ethnicity), things that happen to them (e.g. infections, accidents), behaviours (e.g. smoking, diet) and broader experiences (e.g. the environment people grew up in, their education, work, income). People from more disadvantaged backgrounds and/or certain ethnicities are more likely to develop MLTC-M and to develop it earlier. The impact (or ‘burden’) of MLTC-M, and the order that people develop conditions, also vary.  The project page: Research project: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) New publication: A conceptual framework for characterising lifecourse determinants of multiple long-term condition multimorbidity

Dr Natasha Campling and Professor Sue Latter discuss ways to improve access to medicines and support palliative care at home.  Background-  Patient and carer access to medicines during the last 12 months of life (end-of-life) is critical for control of symptoms, including pain and distress, and for reducing urgent, unplanned use of healthcare services. However, data from our previous studies suggested that prescription, dispensing, supply and associated information given about medicines are experienced by patients as often difficult, demanding, lacking co-ordination, and involves a multiplicity of professionals. Although evidence is suggestive of patient and carer access problems with traditional service delivery systems, including General Practitioner care, little is known about this. Additionally, there are indications that critical sectors of the end-of-life workforce – palliative care nurse specialists and community pharmacists - are currently under-utilised. Furthermore, whilst there are some promising innovations in end-of-life care models, the impact of these on patient access to medicines, as well as their cost-effectiveness comparative to more traditional delivery models, remains largely un-evaluated. Our recent research also suggests that the supply chain ‘upstream’ may be a contributing factor to the complexity and problems with access experienced by patients.      

In this episode Dr Chrissie Jones talks about how traditionally, pregnant women have been excluded from research regarding interventional trials and educational strategies related to preventing infections during pregnancy. 

In this episode of ‘Policy Pod’ we are joined by Professor Jonathan Havercroft to discuss his project on just and unjust riots and how it has developed throughout his career. He discusses how riots throughout history are received differently depending on the political climate, and how this affects subsequent policy developments. Moreover, he discusses how this is relevant in informing the current landscape with the rise in protest surrounding Black Lives Matter and Climate Justice campaigns.

In this final special episode on Transformational Coasts, we hear from three experts about the changing coastlines in the east of England. Peter Aldous, describes the importance of a strategic, evidence-based approach, working with communities, on the ever-evolving coastline. Kellie Fisher stresses the importance of community-led, place-based approaches and being honest in coastal adaptation conversations. Dr Helen Jay reflects on the benefits and vibrancy of our coastlines, and the importance of thinking about transformational adaptation now.   Pod cast Hosts-  Dr Sien van der Plank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter / Visting Researcher, University of Southampton   Rebecca Walley, PhD researcher, University of Southampton  

In the second special episode on Transformational Coasts, we hear from three experts about the changing coastlines of England, with specific consideration of south coast locations. Tim Loughton discusses the particular challenges and exciting opportunities of coastal communities. Uwe Dornbusch takes the physical geographical perspective on coastal change, but also reflects on the relationship between nature and people in the coastal context, and the changing perspectives on how to best manage that interface. Dr Charlie Thompson describes coasts as an area of exchange, both physically and socially, a dynamic system that needs to be managed as a whole rather than controlled in parts.   Pod cast hosts-  Dr Sien van der Plank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter / Visting Researcher, University of Southampton   Dr Wassim Dbouk, Marine and Maritime Policy Research Fellow, University of Southampton  

In the first special episode on Transformational Coasts, we hear from three experts about the changing coastlines of England and around the world.  Professor Robert Nicholls reflects on the history of coastal management in the UK, from defence through to resilience, and past and present management transformations. Professor Mike Elliott outlines the “triple whammy” of threat that coasts face, as well as talks us through the ten tenets for effective and sustainable marine management. Dr Jenny Brown describes her passion for the sea, and the need for sustainability to be embedded into coastal adaptation discourse and practice.  Pod Cast hosts- Dr Sien van der Plank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter / Visting Researcher, University of Southampton   Dominique Townsend, coastal geomorphologist, PhD researcher looking at nearshore change, University of Southampton   

Dr Lisa Ballard joins us to talk about the EPPiGen research project in this episode of the Policy Pod. Genomic approaches to diagnosis and treatment are becoming more embedded within the UK health care system. This provides a unique opportunity to examine how genomic medicine is understood by those providing and engaging with the service. Dr Ballard discusses "ethical preparedness" as terminology, how genomics is portrayed in the media, ethical issues experienced in labs and more.

Dr Chandni Maria Jacob, Dr Mark Hanson and Dr Daniella Watson discuss the importance of effective policy to improve health outcomes for prospective parents and their children. They talk about the need to look at population health, generational health and how to improve hollistic wellbeing alongside reducing risk factors such as alcohol and smoking, including for those who are not actively planning for pregnancy. 

Dr Nic Pensiero and Dr Christian Bokhove join us for the first episode of a brand new season of The Policy Pod. They discuss the UK Understanding Society 2020 and 2021 data, which is the largest longitudinal study of its kind and allowed crucial insights into household dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data indicates that existing learning inequalities were exacerbated during the first school closure, and whilst these didn't worsen during the second, our guests question why they did not altogether reduce. Answering this may lie in considering the role of the home in addition to provisions from schools. Also discussed are the National Tutoring Programme, learning loss, the examinations fiasco, teacher assessed grades and...breathing patterns.  Bokhove C. and Pensiero N., (2022), Learning Inequalities During the Covid-19 Pandemic, The Policy Pod, University of Southampton, DOI: 10.5258/SOTON/PP0005

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' Giles talks to Professor Neil Bressloff  about TAVI, transcatheter aortic valve implantation used in the treatment of aortic heart valve disease. Degenerative heart valve disease is a growing problem in the ageing populations of Europe and North America. Also, tens of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries of the global south, experience valve failure following bacterial throat infections. Importantly, so-called, rheumatic heart valve disease affects large numbers of adults of all ages in these poorer parts of the world. Tap into our channels above and listen to Prof. Neil and about this research. 

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' the Director of Public Policy office, sits together with Professor Andy Tatem, Professor of spatial demography and epidemiology at the University of Southampton and is the Director of WorldPop - an open Spatial Demographic Data and Research. Tune in to learn more how WorldPop data and research methods, helped decision makers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' - The Podcast from Public Policy at the University of Southampton - we present Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja as Chair of the Global Economy Programme for the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Sri Lanka and presentation on 'A Recovering World Economy and the Roles of China and India'. Presented at a visit to the University of Southampton on the 23rd May 2018. Additional material: Presentation: bit.ly/PPSLKIPresentation Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja: www.lki.lk/people/dr-ganeshan-wignaraja/

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' we discuss the career of Professor Dame Wendy Hall, how universities can support early career researchers, how working with media can help engage with the government, and what it is like to work on a major policy piece for government.

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' we sit down with Dr Michael Head, to discuss the ResIn (Research Investments in Global Health study)project, through its growth and development. BMC Proceedings: bmcproc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.…9-016-0065-2 ResIn Public Policy Page: www.southampton.ac.uk/publicpolicy/w…-diseases.page

In this episode of 'Policy Pod' we take to God's House Tower in Southampton's City Centre to discuss The Cultural Manifesto, and the impact of culture across the city. Hosted by Gareth Giles, with four influential guests; Andrew Pinnock from the University of Southampton, James Gough the director of the Southampton Cultural Development Trust, Satvir Kaur cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure and Southampton graduate Catherine Laws. Additional material: The challenge of marketing the Arts to a university student audience in Southampton: drive.google.com/open?id=112fBFgP…IWapIf3F7K6EL1_V The Cultural Manifesto: drive.google.com/open?id=1D-FtTHJ…7UXHAVQ5NM3LC_ic