The Greatest Good

More than just picnic pests, wasps are vital to our ecosystems, but are deeply misunderstood. Joining Professor Philip Schofield in this episode is Professor Seirian Sumner, Professor of Behavioural Ecology and avid defender of wasps. Professor Sumner dissects the evolutionary role of wasps as ancestors of bees and ants, their potential in cancer research, and their overlooked ecological value: making a case for embracing wasps as allies in biodiversity and science.

Rising temperatures and ecosystem disruption are reshaping the global landscape of infectious disease. Computational biologist Dr Rory Gibb joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how climate change and social inequality are fuelling increases in mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever and West Nile virus. From cutting-edge vaccines to rethinking urban design, Dr Gibb explains why tackling infectious disease requires urgent action; especially for the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Step into the minds of leading academics with UCL Press Play: a podcast and documentary series featuring groundbreaking voices and cutting edge ideas. Join UCL academics as they uncover groundbreaking new ideas and fresh insights on diverse topics such as queer histories, neurodiversity, and climate justice.

Natural disasters are inevitable. Or are they? Professor Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, argues that human decisions, governance failures and societal inequities determine the impact of catastrophic events. Speaking with Professor Philip Schofield, Professor Kelman sets out how education, early warning systems and social equity can prevent disasters, and the importance of fostering a fairer, more resilient society. Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Professor Ilan KelmanProducer: Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran

What does transitioning away from fossil fuels really look like, and who bears the greatest responsibility? Join Associate Professor Dr Fergus Green and Professor Philip Schofield as they unpack the politics of climate action. From phasing out fossil fuel extraction to navigating inequality, lobbying and populism, Dr Green argues that real climate progress demands political strategies that put people and fairness at the heart of policy. Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Dr Fergus GreenCommissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)Producer: Stevie Doran

Despite mine closures and talk of phasing out, global coal usage is at an all-time high, with countries like the UK still importing coal for key industries. Dr Andrew Seaton, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how coal never truly disappeared but evolved in form and influence. From Britain's re-importation of coal to global surges in consumption, Dr Seaton challenges the idea of a clean energy transition, and uncovers coal’s deep ties to industry, health, inequality, and the climate. Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Dr Andrew SeatonProducer:  Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) 

Vision impairment affects millions of people worldwide. Dr Michael Crossland, a Senior Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss his research on how cutting-edge AI technologies can offer immediate support for those with low vision. They also explore how art, such as the work of visually impaired artist Luka Kille, provides a powerful way to express the lived experience of vision loss. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01 Duration: 00:16:02 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield Guests: Dr Michael Crossland  Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran 

In this episode, Professor Philip Schofield sits down with Dr Jane Gilmour, Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist, to debunk the myths around the condition. Dr Gilmour offers a fresh perspective on Tourette's: sharing insights into treatment, and championing how society should not condemn what causes no harm.About the series How much do we understand the human mind? This question is at the heart of Beautiful Minds- The Greatest Good. Uncover facts about the mind as our expert speakers challenge misconceptions of autism, clear up common myths about Tourette's Syndrome and propose strategies for making our society more inclusive.Credits:Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01Duration: 00:29:11Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Dr Jane GilmourProducer: Stevie DoranDirector: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)  Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) 

As the number of children diagnosed with ADHD and autism rises, Professor Philip Schofield sits down with Dr Emily Midouhas, Associate Professor in Psychology, to explore how best to support neurodivergent children. Dr Midohas highlights the emotional and behavioural challenges neurodivergent children face, and offers fresh ideas on how to support neurodivergent students. About the series How much do we understand the human mind? This question is at the heart of Beautiful Minds- The Greatest Good. Uncover facts about the mind as our expert speakers challenge misconceptions of autism, clear up common myths about Tourette's Syndrome and propose strategies for making our society more inclusive.Credits: Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01 Duration: 22:06 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield  Guests: Dr Emily Midouhas  Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) D    Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran Podcast owner: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) 

Can music unlock memories for people with dementia? In this episode, Professor Philip Schofield and Dr Jess Jiang, Senior Research Fellow in Neurodegenerative Diseases, draw on cutting-edge science as they explore the links between hearing and dementia. Dr Jiang explains how music not only supports treatment and emotional connection but also helps track disease progression for drug development. About the series How much do we understand the human mind? This question is at the heart of Beautiful Minds- The Greatest Good. Uncover facts about the mind as our expert speakers challenge misconceptions of autism, clear up common myths about Tourette's Syndrome and propose strategies for making our society more inclusive.  Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01 Duration: 19:26 Language of episode: English Guests: Dr Jess Jiang Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran

Does neurodivergence shape the way that we sleep and dream? In this episode, Professor Dagmara Dimitriou, Professor of Sleep Education and Research, draws on two decades of research to explain why standard sleep advice often falls short for neurodiverse individuals. From infant dreams to nightmares – take a deep dive into the strange world of sleep and the brain. Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01Duration: 24:45Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Professor Dagmara DimitriouCommissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran

Date of episode recording: 2025-10-23Duration: 26:38Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Dr Michael WoodrowProducer: Justin HardyPodcast Owners: Dr Paul Ayris, Margaret Stone, Lara Speicher, Helen Carney, Alison Fox

How much do we know about the mind, and is an autistic mind truly different? Professor Philip Schofield and Dr Sarah White, Associate Professor at UCL’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, answer these questions as they take a forensic look at the brain, and challenge outdated medical models and stereotypes of autism. This is essential listening for anyone interested in the intersections of philosophy, psychology and disability rights.Credits:Date of episode recording: 2025-10-23Duration: 26:38Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Philip SchofieldGuests: Dr Michael WoodrowProducer: Justin HardyNames of the podcast owner and those who have vetted this content to be ready for publishing: Dr Paul Ayris, Margaret Stone, Lara Speicher, Helen Carney, Alison Fox

Professor Philip Schofield sits down with Dr Luciano Rila, from the Department of Maths, to delve into the history of the UK’s first university-affiliated Gaysoc, founded by Jamie Gardiner in 1972, at UCL. Dr Rila discovered archival materials in UCL’s Special Collections revealing that though the society was initially met with backlash, UCL’s liberal tradition prevailed, and the movement gained momentum, slowly leading to nationwide improvements in the lives of queer students. Host: Professor Philip Schofield (Director of the Bentham Project, UCL)Guest: Dr Luciano Rila (Department of Mathematics, UCL)Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)Producer: Stevie Doran  Date: 4 November 2024Duration: 25:22 

Professor Philip Schofield discusses queer aesthetics and the idea of a racialised panoptic gaze with Dr Xine Yao, the co-director of qUCL and an expert on American literature in the Department of English. They dig into the archive of bestselling, but now forgotten, American novels, and tease out the ways in which the biggest issues of the 19th century still resonate in everyday life today. Host: Professor Philip Schofield (Director of the Bentham Project, UCL)Guest: Dr Xine Yao (Department of English, UCL)Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)Producer: Stevie Doran  Date: 28 October 2024Duration: 32:27

Professor Philip Schofield hosts Social Scientist Dr Jonathan Galton, to explore his research into the perceived political tension on the progressive left between queerness and Islam. Discussing the historical and cultural context surrounding queerness and Islam, they find surprising affinities between Bentham’s writing on freedom of religion and sexual liberty, and the contemporary theological work reinterpreting Quranic verses on homosexuality today. Dr Jonathan Galton is a Lecturer in Sociology and Social Sciences at the Thomas Coram Research Unit in the UCL Social Research Institute. The research discussed in this episode was funded through a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship. Host: Professor Philip Schofield (Director of the Bentham Project, UCL)Guest: Dr Jonathan Galton (IOE - Social Research Institute, UCL)Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)Producer: Stevie Doran  Date: 21 October 2024Duration: 26:35

Professor Philip Schofield and Professor Gregory Dart discuss the philosophical differences between Utilitarianism and Romanticism, in the context of the founding of the “Cockney College”, as UCL was known at the time. They explore how Bentham’s utilitarian principles, emphasising happiness and the greatest good, contrasted with Romantic notions of moral intentions and conscience. Transcript: https://uclpress.co.uk/ucl-press-play/  Host: Professor Philip Schofield (Director of the Bentham Project, UCL)Guest: Professor Gregory Dart (Department of English, UCL)Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)Producer: Stevie Doran  Date: 14 October 2024Duration: 26:32