This is Lancaster Podcast. Global research tales from the North of England.

Researchers share the stories, setbacks and discoveries behind the headlines.

Research in a lab holding and point towards a Petri dish containing samples.

Professor Muhammad Munir

Here at Lancaster University, we bring people together to deliver solutions to complex problems, both in our region and around the world.

At the heart of Lancaster's research endeavour, our experts are working in partnership with others to make a difference. In this series of interviews, Lancaster University researchers share the stories, setbacks and discoveries behind the headlines and provide an in-depth look at some of the truly life-changing work taking place in our University.

This is Lancaster, podcast
Charlotte standing next to a wall map of Africa.
Dr Charlotte Baker

‘I can’t just ignore this’

How Dr Charlotte Baker pivoted her research focus onto work with partners trying to protect people with Albinism around the globe.

Supported by the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Listen on Spotify: ‘I can’t just ignore this’
Sam Murphy

Could nuclear fusion offer us a sustainable way out of the energy crisis?

Lancaster researcher Sam Murphy breaks down cutting-edge developments in Nuclear Fusion – with the help of a pool table. Supported by the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Listen on Spotify: Could nuclear fusion offer us a sustainable way
Professor Robert Young

Lost lives and lost billions

Meet the researchers tackling large-scale criminal activity in the pharmaceutical industry by harnessing quantum identity techniques developed at Lancaster University. Supported by the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Listen on Spotify: Lost lives and lost billions
Left: Thomas Macpherson-Pope - Director, The Making Rooms Right: Dr Michael Stead - Lecturer in Sustainable Design Futures

The Making Rooms

How design research is helping stop the smart tech graveyard gathering dust in almost every home. Supported by the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Listen on Spotify: The Making Rooms
Dr Luigi Sedda Senior Lecturer in Spatial Epidemiology

Hope on the coast

Healthier Fleetwood – how working in partnership with a socially deprived UK coastal town is helping identify priority areas to focus COVID-19 recovery. Supported by the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Listen on Spotify: Hope on the coast

Season 1 of This is Lancaster podcast

  • Discovering Wordsworth

    Professors Sally Bushell and Simon Bainbridge of Lancaster University’s Wordsworth Centre share the lessons they have learned from the poet.

  • Caught Red Handed

    Professor Dame Sue Black explains how the astonishing bravery of a child sexual abuse survivor led her on a path to developing pioneering research into forensic hand analysis that would stand up in court.

  • NHS staff in crisis

    As stress levels for NHS staff reach an all-time high “far beyond the need for mindfulness and yoga”, Professor Michael West from Lancaster University says there’s a need to change workplace culture and conditions.

  • Racing the Virus

    Professor Mohammed Munir explains that with hundreds of animal viruses in circulation, and human activities encroaching on wildlife, understanding the spread of viruses has never been so important.

  • Inside the Amazon

    Dr Erika Berenguer gives a deeply personal account of observing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest – a region full of mystery that inspired a scientific career dedicated to understanding and protecting this crucial tropical ecosystem.