Periodically University of Oxford Chemistry Department

Periodically, the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry, is back for Season Two!
In this season, we want to talk more about how periods can sometimes just get in the bloody way and we'll be joined by guests who have experiences including with Endometriosis, Menopause, Perimenopause and Pregnancy.
Periodically is created with thanks to the Royal Society of Chemistry Equality and Diversity fund, the EPSRC and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.

Periods are different for everyone and can significantly affect the daily lives of the people who have them. They can be irregular, debilitating, cause severe depression and many other things and the inflexible nature of a chemistry degree can make this hard to deal with. 
Understanding and creating an open conversation is vital for decreasing stigma and educating those who don't have periods with the hope that they will consider them in future decision-making. 
Join Amy, Charlie, Elba and Manami as they discuss the pressures of an Oxford undergraduate chemistry degree, the importance of representation in decision-making positions, and the need for greater understanding and empathy towards those with periods.
(0:50) Introduction(2:32) Harmful stereotypes(5:36) Improving reactions(9:31) Periods and the impact on studying(12:14) How the department can continue to improve
About the hosts:
Amy: Hi, I'm Amy and I'm a fourth-year student at St Hilda's College. Having a conversation about the problems posed by periods has taught me a lot and made me feel less alone in facing these problems. I hope listeners have a similar experience.
Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!
Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!
We want to talk about all things periods and how they affect our daily lives as chemists at Oxford. We would love to here your views and opinions:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedIn

Tutorials are the main academic event of the week, the culmination of most of the week's work. It is the point where most students have their understanding of a topic click so any hindrance due to periods can have a huge effect on student's learning.
Hannah Bruce, a former undergraduate chemist wrote her dissertation on the gendered experiences of tutorials. Her main finding was that female students do more work in tutorials and she found that female students particularly struggled with three main areas; self-censoring, imposter syndrome and relatedness.
Join Charlie, Lottie and Felicity as they discuss Hannah Bruce's findings, and share their own personal experiences within tutorials.
(0:52) Introduction(1:32) The gendered experience of tutorials(7:14) Imposter syndrome(14:06) The leaky pipeline(21:47) Missing tutorials(25:55) Conclusion
About the hosts:
Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Lottie: Hiya, I am Lottie and I am in my third-year (about to begin sitting my final exams). I have really enjoyed working on this podcast, especially as I am interested in how we better support students with their studies in chemistry once they arrive at university here.
Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a second-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!
We want to talk about all things periods and how they affect our daily lives as chemists at Oxford. We would love to here your views and opinions:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedIn

A study by Plan International UK in 2018 found that 42% of girls use makeshift period products from socks, toilet paper, and newspaper because they could not afford period products. This was supported by a YouGov survey in 2022, which found that one in eight adults with periods say they are likely to be unable to afford period products within the next 12 months.
Having period products freely available within the department helps to reduce the socio-economic impact of periods for students and allows students to make learning their priority.
Join Charlie, Elba and Sofia as they discuss accessibility and period products, including the challenges in getting free products provided in the department, the need for more sustainable products, and the importance of inclusive language around periods.
(0:52) Introduction(3:13) The Oxford Period Campaign(4:08) Challenges of implementing the scheme(6:56) Can more be done?(9:31) Accessible language
About the hosts:
Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!
Sofia: My name is Sofia and I'm a third-year undergrad Chemistry student at Oxford. I am also the co-founder of The Oxford Period, a campaign for access to free period products across the University.
We want to talk about all things periods and how they affect our daily lives as chemists at Oxford. We would love to here your views and opinions:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedIn

Although the pill is widely regarded as a contraceptive, with an estimated 70% of menstruators in Britain having used the pill at some stage in their lives, a study suggests that 31% of users take the pill as a method of treating period pain and 28% to regulate their menstrual cycle. As such, when discussing the effects that periods have on. the undergraduate experience, it is important to consider the impact that the pill has.
Join Manami, Felicity and Charlie as they discuss the pill and how taking the pill has affected their experience of studying at Oxford.
(0:53) Introduction(4:48) Positive Impacts of the Pill(7:30) Complications(13:02) The Pill and Unsolicited Advice
About the hosts:
Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!
Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a second-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!

We want to talk about all things periods and how they affect our daily lives as chemists at Oxford. We would love to here your views and opinions:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedIn

When periods and exams overlap, students face pain whilst taking the exams, issues with mental health and even in some cases episodes of fainting, potentially compromising their exam results. With 50% of the cohort being affected, could more consideration by the exam board improve the exam experience? Join Manami, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more!
(0:53) Introduction(2:25) Periods and exam disadvantage(4:36) Mitigating circumstances(7:17) The knock-on effect(10:02) Impact on revision(11:00) How departments can help
About the hosts:
Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!
Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!
Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a second-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.
Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

We want to talk about all things periods and how they affect our daily lives as chemists at Oxford. We would love to here your views and opinions:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedIn