The QMS Good Business Podcast Dr. Laura Steele

The average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over the course of their lifetime. In addition to money, work can be a source of pride, identity, and achievement. The relationships we form in the workplace can be meaningful and supportive. However, research indicates that workers are reporting increasing levels of stress and job-related burnout. Add to this the Coronavirus pandemic. How can organisations best support their staff and what can we as individuals do to protect our own mental health? In this episode, we are joined by leading experts on mental health and work to discuss cutting edge research, practical tips, and innovative new tools that can help us improve and protect our mental health.

How do you make a ‘good’ cup of tea? From a flavour perspective you may think about factors such as the quality of the leaves, the temperature of the water, the brewing time, or – that most divisive of questions – if/when to add milk. But what makes a ‘good’ cup of tea in terms of ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability? There have long been concerns around these issues within the tea industry, with reports of very poor pay, child labour, and appalling working conditions leaving many consumers with a bitter aftertaste.

One business attempting to balance growth opportunities with high ethical standards is boutique loose leaf blender, Suki Tea. Founded in 2005 by business partners Annie Irwin and Oscar Woolley, Suki Tea has grown to become a strong contender in the UK’s loose-leaf tea market. In this episode of the QMS Good Business Podcast, Annie joins Dr Laura Steele to discuss how to make a ‘better brew’ that respects both people and planet.

Guest: Annie Irwin, Suk Tea
Host: Dr Laura Steele, Queen’s Management School
Sound Engineering: John Woods, Queen’s Management School

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN body charged with assessing the science related to climate change, has set an ambitious target of ensuring that 85% of electricity is derived from renewable sources by 2050. But, with a global economy that still largely runs on carbon-based sources, what would that mean for both businesses, as well as individuals?

In this episode of the QMS Good Business Podcast, Dr Laura Steele is joined by David Surplus, Director of the B9 Energy Group who, in 2015, was awarded an OBE for his pioneering work within the field of renewable energy to discuss entrepreneurship, climate change, and ‘good energy’.

Guest: David Surplus OBE, B9 Energy
Host: Dr Laura Steele, Queen’s Management School
Sound Engineering: John Woods, Queen’s Management School

In October 2019, it was reported that 19% of the working age population in the UK state they have a disability. Of these, 53% are in employment. For comparison, the employment rate for people without disabilities stands at 82%. There is a clear ‘disability employment gap’. Unfortunately, the challenges don’t end once someone with a disability secures as job as evidence suggests that they are over-represented in low skilled jobs, more likely to work in jobs for which they are overqualified, and have reduced access to career progression opportunities. But why should businesses be concerned about closing the gap? Aside from the ethical argument that employers seeking to be socially responsible should strive to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce, there is a compelling case that people with disabilities represent a huge untapped resource. In this episode, Laura Steele is joined by Sean Fitzsimons, Employment Advocacy Coordinator at Disability Action, to discuss these issues and more.

Guest: Sean Fitzsimons, Disability Action
Host: Dr Laura Steele, Queen’s Management School
Sound Engineering: Stephen Mullan, Queen’s University Belfast

Each year it is estimated that a staggering 1.6 billion tonnes of food worth approximately $1.2 trillion USD goes to waste. This equates to around one third of the food produced globally. At the same time, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation states that around 815 million people – 10.7% of the global population – are suffering from chronic undernourishment. Addressing the problem of food sustainability and unnecessary waste is likely to become even more pressing in future, with the earth’s population predicted to rise to approximately 9 billion by 2050. This increase, accompanied by a steady trend towards urbanisation, will place enormous demands on the global food supply.

So, what role can we play in terms of addressing the social and environmental impact of unsustainable food practices and the waste that can result? In this episode of the QMS Good Business Podcast, Dr Laura Steele is joined by Kerry Melville, of the Belfast Food Network and Jilly Dougan, author, activist, and entrepreneur for a wide-ranging discussion around these issues. It just might inspire you to pick up a trowel!

Links & Resources
Belfast Food Network on Facebook: www.facebook.com/belfastfoodnetwork
Belfast Sustainable Food Cities Award Bid: www.sustainableni.org
CCEA 'Growing for the Future': www.ccea.org.uk/growing/september.php
‘Sow, Grow, and Munch’ by Jilly Dougan (PDF Book): www.eefni.org.uk/cmsfiles/Sow_Grow-Munch.pdf

Guests: Kerry Melville, Belfast Food Network and Jilly Dougan, Jilly Dougan Edible Gardens
Host: Dr Laura Steele, Queen’s Management School
Sound Engineering: John Woods, Queen’s Management School

The advent of the digital camera, which was subsequently embedded into our smartphones, revolutionised photography. Indeed, it is estimated that we will take over 1.2 trillion photographs in 2019 alone. But while the technology has advanced at an astonishing rate, individuals and organisations have been left grappling with a host of accompanying ethical concerns. These range from the morality of manipulating images, to issues of theft and plagiarism, and even whether a person can truly give informed consent where there is a power imbalance between the photographer and their subject. In this episode of the QMS Good Business Podcast, Dr Laura Steele is joined by Savannah Dodd, academic, social entrepreneur, and founder of the Photography Ethics Centre to discuss these issues and more.

Guest: Savannah Dodd, The Photography Ethics Centre
Host: Dr Laura Steele, Queen’s Management School
Sound Engineering: John Woods, Queen’s Management School