Podcasts
Eating horsemeat unknowingly - 20 February 2013
Dr Michael Howard, food law expert at King’s, explains how the horsemeat scandal came to light, how meat may have been contaminated, and the implications for the food industry. He also talks about the strong British aversion to eating horsemeat and poses a key question – if this could happen, what else is going wrong in the food industry?
Love in the time of Rom-Coms - 14 February 2013
The Valentine's Day movie. All about romance and roses, right? Not this year. Offerings such as
This is 40 and
I Give It a Year are flipping the stereotype, choosing parody over poetry with hilarious consequences. Alice Guilluy, PhD student and King's resident romantic comedy expert, explains how this Valentine's Day the movies are satirising the classic date-flick, and why zombie love story
Warm Bodies would be her film of choice.
Millenial women take the lead - 30 January 2013
Even in 2013 the issue of women in the workplace remains highly controversial. Although it was reported this week that female entrepreneurs earn more than men, it remains that men earn 15 per cent more than women within large co-operations. In her new book,
Rising Stars, Dr Elizabeth Kelan from the Department of Management attempts to shed light on the working women of the Millenial generation and illustrates how businesses can alter their practice to support female leaders of the future.
Europe under threat after Algerian hostage crisis? - 28 January 2013
Why did the dramatic four-day-long hostage crisis at a gas plant in Algeria end so badly with 41 deaths? Why did it all happen in the first place? Nick Butler, Head of King’s Policy Institute and former head of Strategy at BP, talks about the future implications of the attack. He says that it was a clear political act which has changed the nature of attacks on the oil and gas industry in Africa. According to Butler, this attack will probably lead to more attacks and has shifted the centre of gravity of international terrorism to this region, creating a new terrorism threat to Europe as well.
Better off out? - 17 January 2013
As the British Prime Minister David Cameron prepares for his long-awaited EU speech on Wednesday 23 January, Professor Christoph Meyer, Head of European & International Studies, gives an insight into what Cameron might say about the UK's future in the EU. Professor Meyer says leaving the EU would be very costly and could have devastating consequences for the UK economy.
Are you ready for the end of the world? - 19 December 2012
As sales of gas masks, tinned goods and candles soar ahead of Friday’s impending ‘Mayan apocalypse’, Dr Adrian Pearce, Lecturer in Brazilian & Spanish American History, calls for calm amid the global hysteria.
By unearthing clues from Ancient Mayan texts, Dr Pearce points out that there are other, more positive interpretations of the end of the Mayan ‘Long Count’ calendar, which comes to an end on Friday after more than 5,000 years. He describes the Western obsession with doomsday predictions as a ‘tradition of apocalypse that is embedded in Western culture’, resulting in ‘projection onto Mayan traditions, beliefs and conceptions of time.’
Why the private sector is crucial to Hurricane Sandy response - 13 November 2012
Drawing comparisons between Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy last month, Dr. Ami J. Abou-bakr, Department of Political Economy, examines whether lessons have been learned by the US government.
With the US counting the cost of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to surpass $50 billion, Dr Abou-bakr believes the private sector is a 'fundamental' part of the nation's ability to recover.
Dr Abou-bakr is the author of
Managing Disasters through Public-Private Partnerships (Georgetown University Press), due to be published in February 2013.
King's explores the Bible on TV - 9 November 2012
Prompted by a renewed TV interest in the Bible, King's is hosting a major conference on
Tuesday 11 December 2012, between 10.00am and 4.30pm, in the Great Hall, King's Building, Strand Campus.
The Bible on TV seeks to strike up discussion around the use of the Bible on TV and the role of TV in shaping the cultural impact of the Bible, with a range of high-profile media professionals and academics lined up to speak at the conference including the renowned actor and presenter, David Suchet.
Here Dr Edward Adams, Theology and Religious Studies, previews the event and provides an insight into those speaking at the conference.
Dr Richard Howells: Power, controversy and the arts - 9 November 2012
Following the release of his latest work, Outrage: Art, Controversy and Society, Dr Richard Howells from the Department of Culture, Media & Creative Industries, discusses some of the most controversial art works of the past century. Here, he argues that controversy in the world of art is built upon the push for power, be it religious, political or aesthetic, and points out the importance of recognising this power play in visual culture.
Obama fails to land knockout blow in third and final debate - 26 October 2012
Dr James D. Boys, Middle East & Mediterranean Studies, believes the race for the White House is wide open with 10 days remaining until Presidential Election day.
With the incumbent, Barack Obama, still seeking to repair the damage from his loss in their first encounter on 3 October, Dr Boys believes the President failed to land a knockout blow in the final debate on Monday night, which focused on foreign policy.
Patrick Wright: Shrinking England with Will Self - 23 October 2012
Acclaimed novelist and Booker Prize nominee Will Self will speak at King's tonight,in conversation with Patrick Wright, Professor of Literature and Visual & Material Culture, about England and its transforming presence in the author's recent writings. Here Professor Wright introduces the event, the theme of Shrinking England and why Will Self is the perfect accomplice for this discussion, which is set to be a key highlight of the Arts & Humanities Festival 2012.
Obama vs. Romney – Heated second debate a tie, says Dr Boys - 19 October 2012
Dr James D. Boys, Middle East and Mediterranean Studies, picks out some of the highlights from Tuesday night's 'close and personal' US presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, including heated exchanges over pension plans, foreign policy and the attack in Libya. As the clock ticks towards next month's election, the two candidates are neck-and-neck with one debate to go…
Uta Balbier: Faith and the Making of Presidents - 19 October 2012
As part of the Arts & Humanities Festival 2012, the Institute of North American Studies aims to take the upcoming elections as an entry point to a broader debate about the role of religion in American political and public life. Dr Uta Balbier introduces what is set to be an extraordinary event, as leading experts from both sides of the Atlantic prepare to take on the controversial topic of the relationship between American religion and politics.
Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney: The first Presidential Debate - 15 October 2012
The second US Presidential debate takes place on Tuesday 16 October in what is becoming an increasingly close race for the Whitehouse. Ahead of the next contest between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, Dr James D Boys assesses round one and the surprising impact it has had on the upcoming elections.
The Arts & Humanities Festival 2012: Metamorphoses, Transformations & Conversions - 8 October 2012
It's October, which means it's the School of Arts & Humanities' annual Arts & Humanities Festival at King's.
This year the theme of Metamorphoses: Transformations and Conversions brings together an array of talks, performances, exhibitions and much more throughout the Festival, which will be open to the public from 13 – 27 October, and which includes events with novelist Will Self and King's alumnus Michael Morpurgo. Here Max Saunders, Professor of English and the Festival's Director, gives a glimpse of what more you can expect.
Protests over anti-Islam film stoked for political gain, says Dr Kersten
- 8 October 2012
Recent and ongoing protests across the Muslim world, in response to an anti-Islam film, reflect complex political problems in the affected countries, according to Dr Carool Kersten from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies.
The Indonesian President's call for a law on blasphemy and the offer of a $100,000 bounty on the head of the American film-maker by a Pakistani minister are recent examples of politicians 'manipulating people's religious sensitivities for political gain', says Dr Kersten.
In this podcast Dr Kersten also considers the possibility of avoiding future atrocities and warns that it will take 'tremendous international political will' to do so.
Funding award boosts exciting 'new' science - 2 October 2012
Reaffirming our position as a world-leader in the study of epigenetics, King's has been awarded prestigious EU funding under the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN). Due to start in March 2013, the programme will offer funding for three PhD places.
Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology, explains the significance of this award for King's, why epigenetics is considered a 'new' science and why this area could hold the key to treating diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Tony Nicklinson's legacy lives on in right-to-die campaign - 5 September 2012
Despite Tony Nicklinson's recent death, his plight will continue to raise questions about a change in law, says Professor Penney Lewis from the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics in The Dickson Poon School of Law. In this podcast Professor Lewis and PhD Law student, Isra Black, address some of the moral questions raised by Tony Nicklinson's case and assess the likelihood of a change in the law on assisted dying in the UK.
'Right-to-die' verdict reignites debate on assisted suicide - 17 August 2012
'Locked-in syndrome' sufferer, Tony Nicklinson, lost his High Court battle this week for the right to end his life. Professor Penney Lewis, from the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics in The Dickson Poon School of Law, discusses the legal implications of the case, which challenges the Government's law on assisted suicide.
Ryan breathes life into Republicans - 16 August 2012
Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate has 'reinvigorated' the Republican campaign, says Dr James D. Boys, Middle East & Mediterranean Studies. In this podcast Dr Boys weighs up the benefits and drawbacks of Ryan's selection, assesses the reaction of Barack Obama and discusses how the candidates will fare in reaching the magic number 270, – the number of Electoral College votes required to win the US presidency in November this year.
Download this podcast (.mp3 10.4mb).
Is the UK's security infrastructure fit for purpose? - 2 August 2012
Following endorsement from the UK's former Defence Secretary, Rt. Hon Dr Liam Fox, MP, a King's paper on UK National Security reached the highest level of British Government last week when the Prime Minister, David Cameron, requested a copy. In this podcast the author, Dr James D. Boys, Middle East & Mediterranean Studies, describes the advantages and pitfalls of Americanising UK Intelligence, applauds the country's 'special relationship' with the US and reveals why the Prime Minister should be listening.
For more on Dr James D. Boys' UK National Security paper, read our news story 'UK Intelligence architecture needs further reform'.
Femininity and the flaws behind Olympic 'sex-testing' - 1 August 2012
Dr Silvia Camporesi, from the Centre for the Humanities and Health, explains the 'significant flaws' behind sex-testing policies introduced for the London 2012 Olympic Games. She says that new regulations are unfair and discriminatory and says singling out hyperandrogenism (excessive naturally occurring testosterone in females) from all from all other biological anomalies could discriminate against women who may not meet traditional notions of femininity.
To read about the debate surrounding Caster Semenya and the legitimacy of Olympic 'sex-testing', please see the news story 'Sex-testing regulations flawed and should be withdrawn.'
PhD student strikes literary gold - 24 July 2012
After stumbling across four previously unseen stories by the prolific modernist writer Katherine Mansfield in the King's College Archives, Chris Mourant, an English PhD student at King's, reveals how one of these short stories, 'A Little Episode', has shed light on an important year in Mansfield's life, which saw unrequited love, a marriage of convenience and a stillborn baby.
Globe to Globe - 11 July 2012
As the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad, the London 2012 Festival, sees 37 Shakespeare plays performed in 37 languages in 'Globe to Globe', Dr Ben Schofield, from the Department of German, went to see Timon of Athens performed in German and found a German production company performing a play about a Greek financial crisis. With bankers, bonus culture and the stock exchange key themes in a radical approach to a relatively unknown Shakespeare play, he asks what it tells us about Anglo-German relations and what happens to German culture when it is given a world stage.
Sheffest: it's not Athens.. but it could be! - 8 June 2012
In the city known for its industrial heritage, the statue of Vulcan on its Town Hall and a certain Liberal Democrat Coalition leader, King's Classics PhD students present Sheffest, the Sheffield Festival of Ancient Drama. Matt Shipton and Lottie Parkyn have co-organised the festival, which runs from 22nd – 25th June. Here, Matt and Lottie discuss why Sheffield's amphitheatre is the perfect setting for the feature performance of Prometheus – it's not Athens… but it could be!
Oh la la! Gossip and Nonsense in Renaissance France - 24 May 2012
Dr Emily Butterworth, from the Department of French, spills the beans on her joint AHRC-funded project, which will examine literature from the Renaissance period to discover the representations and uses of gossip and nonsense.
The Oriental Miscellany - 17 May 2012
Jane Chapman, artist-in-residence at the Foyle Special Collections Library, talks about her upcoming concert and symposium in the Strand Campus Chapel on Friday 18 May. Jane will be performing with her harpsichord, playing musical pieces from William Hamilton Bird's Oriental Miscellany (1789). The publication was the first collection of Indian music transcribed from live performance into Western notation and adapted for harpsichord. Jane also explains that the Oriental Miscellany is a cross-section of art, culture and music and dance performance practice in late 18th and early 19th Century India. Further information can be found on the Foyle Special Collections Library webpages.
Download the
podcast on iKing's.
Sinking the Titanic Myth
For those who aren't Titanoraks, Dr Richard Howells, from the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries, explodes some of the myths that have grown up around the fated ship over the past 100 years and explains how they have become embedded in popular culture. And why, a century on,
Titanic still influences our responses to disasters.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
Why are there so many Government tsars - 23 March 2012
In the wake of the resignation of Emma Harrison, the Government's employment tsar, Dr Ruth Levitt and William Solesbury, Visiting Senior Research Fellows from the Department of Political Economy, discuss the growing number of government tsars and ask how they are are appointed and what, if anything, they contribute.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
China's rise: how its neighbours and America are reacting to the country's growing confidence - 28 February 2012
Dr Harsh Pant, from the Defence Studies Department, examines whether there is any chance of a military conflict between China and its neighbours, as it begins to exert its power across the continent. He also discusses what America's renewed focus on Asia-Pacific area will mean for diplomacy across the region.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
The State of HR - 23 February 2012
Stuart Woollard, Director of King's HRM (Human Resource Management) Learning Board, discusses the findings of his recently published
State of HR Survey, which examines how employees have been affected by recent negative economic conditions and the adverse impact this is having on their organisations. The full survey can be read at
http://www.thestateofhr.com/.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
Frustrations and challenges: Egypt a year on from the fall of Mubarak - 15 February 2012
A year on from the fall of President Mubarak, Dr Charis Boutieri and Dr Ashraf Mishrif, from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Dr Ami Abou Bakr, from the Department of Political Economy, examine the apparent slow rate of political progress in Egypt and discuss the tests the country and its people will face as they make the transition towards democracy.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
Try some natural aphrodisiacs this Valentine's Day - 14 February 2012
Emeritus Professor in Pharmacognosy Peter Houghton, from the Department of Pharmacy, analyses the culture, science and dangers behind natural aphrodisiacs from around the world.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
Much of the science is done - now is the time to act - 10 February 2012
Professor Martin Williams, from the Environmental Research Group, says that if all their recommendations were implemented millions of lives could potentially be saved, crop yields could be boosted, huge financial savings could be made and the earth's temperature could be cooled by half a degree - a significant achievement.
Download the
podcast on iKings
Need to review penicillin doses for children - 16 December 2011
Dr Paul Long, from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, calls for a review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children, which have remained unchanged for nearly 50 years.
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podcast on iKings.
Cyberspace: war, freedom and the future - 4 November 2011
In the week the Foreign Office held a conference on all things Cyber, Dr Thomas Rid, from the Department of War Studies and Dr Tim Jordan, from the Department of Digital Humanities, assess hacktivism, cyber warfare and the freedom of the internet, and look to the future as we all become 'digital natives'.
Download the
podcast on iKings
A crucial 24 hours for Greece - 3 November 2011
Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo, from the Department of European and International Studies, says it would be impossible for any government in Greece to go back on the promise of a referendum on the eurozone bailout deal. Download the
podcast on iKings.
The death of Gaddafi - 20 October 2011
Dr Michael Kerr, from the Middle East and Mediterranean Studies Programme, discusses the death of Colonel Gaddafi.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
The Power of Stories: The History of Philosophy - 19 October 2011
Professor Peter Adamson, from the Department of Philosophy, discusses his '
History of Philosophy' podcast series.
Professor Adamson will present a talk on his podcasts, and the concept of 'void' in philosophy, at the Arts and Humanities Festival on the 25 October. The overall theme of this year's festival is 'The Power of Stories'.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
The Power of Stories: why we saved our country houses - 17 October 2011
Dr Ruth Adams, from the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries, discusses the myths and stories told to convince the British public that the nation's country houses were worth saving.
Dr Adams will present a talk on the subject at the
Arts and Humanities Festival on 26 October. The overall theme of this year's festival is 'The Power of Stories'.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
The Power of Stories: AIDS@30 - 'Patient Zero' - 10 October 2011
Dr Richard McKay, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Humanities and Health and the Department of History, explains how the case study of Patient Zero - the idea that a single individual started the spread of HIV/AIDS in North America - demonstrates the 'Power of Stories' - the theme for the
Arts and Humanities Festival 2011, where he will present his lecture on 27 October.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
AIDS@30: three decades of responding to HIV/AIDS - 28 September 2011
Dr Richard McKay, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Humanities and Health and the Department of History, on
AIDS@30, his lecture series that will bring together health care professionals, activists and historians to reflect on 30 years since AIDS became a recognised disease and his hopes for new areas of research and inquiry.
Download the
podcast on iKings.
Libya's cultural heritage - 26 September 2011
Hafed Walda, Research Fellow in the Department of Digital Humanities, on the need to save Libya's cultural heritage following the uprising, and the work he is undertaking to help ensure his native country's history is preserved.
Download the
podcast on iKings.