IOE Insights

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Thoughts and ideas on education, culture, psychology, social science and more from our academics, students, alumni and wider community to create lasting and evolving change. Podcasts brought to you by UCL Institute of Education (IOE), the world's leading centre for education and social science research, courses and teaching, and a faculty of University College London (UCL). More from us: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe

2d ago

What is deafblindness? Breaking down the myths | Inclusive Voices: Deafblindness

Dr Leda Kamenopoulou chairs this conversation about how we can use research and professional expertise to promote a more accurate understanding of this complex and often misunderstood disability. Deafblindness (or multisensory impairment, MSI) is frequently associated with assumptions that do not reflect the realities of those who experience it. In this episode, we unpack some of the most common myths, including the belief that all deafblind people are totally deaf and blind, that deafblindness is always present from birth, or that everyone with deafblindness has the same needs. Through discussion with specialists in inclusion, deafblind education and habilitation, the episode highlights the diversity of deafblind experiences and the many ways in which individuals use their remaining senses, communicate, learn, navigate and engage with the world around them. The conversation also explores why deafblindness should be understood as a distinct and highly individual condition rather than simply the combination of hearing and vision loss. Drawing attention to the role of communication, environment, and accessibility, the episode challenges listeners to move beyond stereotypes and recognise the importance of personalised support and inclusive practice. Ultimately, it encourages educators, families, and professionals to question assumptions, embrace complexity, and develop a deeper understanding of the varied experiences of people with deafblindness. Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/what-deafblindness-breaking-down-myths-inclusive-voices-deafblindness Image: New Africa via Adobe Stock. More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Sep 7

The women reshaping conservative politics in America | Research for the Real World

We explore how conservative Christian women have become influential organisers, campaigners and political actors in the United States. Jason Ilagan is joined by Dr Katie Gaddini, who has drawn on a decade of ethnographic research with her new book ‘Esther’s Army’ challenging assumptions that women in right-wing movements are politically passive, instead revealing the diverse ways they organise, mobilise and influence political life. We hear how ideas around motherhood, protection and empowerment have become powerful political tools, and considers what these developments can tell us about the future of political mobilisation both in the US and beyond. The episode examines what these trends mean for policymakers, educators and anyone seeking to understand an increasingly polarised political landscape. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/women-reshaping-conservative-politics-america-research-real-world More Research for the Real World: https://uclioe.info/rftrwMore IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe Photo: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Aug 31

When the old maps no longer work | Research for the Real World

Political movements are crossing borders and challenging established ideas about power and participation. Researchers take us inside political movements in the US and Europe before turning to the classroom to ask how people can learn to navigate disagreement, uncertainty and change. Upcoming episodes: The role of Christian women in right-wing American politics - Dr Katie GaddiniA Polish Brexit and populism in Europe - Dr Roch Dunin-Wasowicz and Max MidgenHow schools and teachers can help young citizens navigate social and political division - Hans SvennevigMore Research for the Real World episodes: https://uclioe.info/rftrwMore IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Aug 17

Before learning went mobile | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El-Khateeb talks to Professor Norbert Pachler about shaping the beginnings of mobile learning in a time when most phones still had small screens and physical buttons. He reflects on bringing international researchers from different disciplines together to understand how mobile technologies were changing society, culture and education. Professor Pachler also shares advice for early career academics on finding collaborators, contributing to professional communities and developing ideas that can grow over time. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/aug/learning-went-mobile-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Aug 3

The first grant | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El Khateeb speaks with Professor Lynn Ang about her route from preschool teaching to research leadership at the IOE. Professor Ang reflects on the doctoral journey that transformed her career, and recalls how a senior colleague sharing the details of a successful research grant application helped her also secure one of her own. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/aug/first-grant-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Jul 22

Painting our way through the PhD finish line and beyond | The PhD Sketchbook

What does a PhD journey look like when you paint it rather than write it? In their final episode of the series, Tooba and Louise talk about getting a PhD over the finish line, staying motivated in the face of challenges and discuss how they envision their future. You can see the artworks they created during this episode on the UCL IOE student blog, and on the IOE Instagram account.Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/jul/painting-our-way-through-phd-finish-line-and-beyond-phd-sketchbook More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe Music featured: "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Jul 13

Making sense of science education | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El Khateeb speaks with Dr Jasper Green about a career that has moved between biology, classroom teaching, doctoral research and teacher education. Jasper shares how an inspiring biology teacher helped him develop a sense of identity within the subject, and how later academic experiences led him to questions about learning, misconceptions and what it means to teach science well. He also offers advice for early career researchers on thinking with precision, writing with confidence and taking time to understand smaller questions in greater depth. More about Dr Jasper Green and his work: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/jul/making-sense-science-education-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Jun 29

From glaciers to classrooms | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El Khateeb talks to Professor Nicola Walshe about a career that has moved from studying glaciers to shaping climate change and sustainability education. Professor Walshe reflects on the currents that carried her from science into teaching, from classroom inquiry into education research, and from individual practice into collaborative work with schools, policymakers and colleagues. She also offers advice for early career researchers on following your passions, building partnerships and taking care of yourself while doing work that matters. More about Professor Nicola Walshe and her work: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/jun/glaciers-classrooms-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe

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Thoughts and ideas on education, culture, psychology, social science and more from our academics, students, alumni and wider community to create lasting and evolving change. Podcasts brought to you by UCL Institute of Education (IOE), the world's leading centre for education and social science research, courses and teaching, and a faculty of University College London (UCL). More from us: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe