Committed to Planet A

The EURECA-PRO Podcast Series

Join us as we dive into insightful conversations with EURECA-PRO researchers and students, exploring key topics related to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and broader sustainability challenges. In each episode, you’ll gain valuable knowledge, hear inspiring stories, and get to know the people driving innovation and change within our alliance. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, curious about cutting-edge research, or looking for fresh perspectives, this podcast is for you. Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation on building a more sustainable future with EURECA-PRO!

  1. Science Ethics Ep. 3 - Trust and Transparency in a Post-Truth Era

    1d ago

    Science Ethics Ep. 3 - Trust and Transparency in a Post-Truth Era

    In this episode of Science Ethics, students of the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida explore the current state of science communication in relation to truth and transparency. Scientists have been facing mistrust for ages. With Trump’s election in 2016 a new term for the mistrust and negligence of scientific facts has become mainstream: “Post-Truth”. The students discuss various reasons for post-truth behaviour, obstacles for science communicators and different dimensions to consider when communicating science nowadays. Lastly, an interview with the leading expert David Kaldewey reveals possible ways for science communication to be effective.

    17 min

  2. Jun 22

    Science Ethics Ep. 2 - Integrity in the Age of AI

    This is the second episode of Committed to Planet A's special edition on Science Ethics. It explores how artificial intelligence is transforming medical research and diagnostics and examines whether machines can act as ethical researchers. The discussion combines host dialogue with expert perspectives to connect practical AI applications with broader ethical implications, while addressing different current problems: • AI in scientific discovery and ethical responsibility • Pattern recognition in complex medical data • Support for high-stakes diagnostic decisions • Ethical concerns such as opacity, bias, and responsibility • Challenges around errors and ownership of AI-generated results Ultimately, the episode highlights that trustworthy science continues to depend on transparency, explainability, and human oversight in the age of AI.

    23 min
  3. Science Ethics Ep. 1 - Pressure, Metrics and Misconduct in Science

    Jun 15

    Science Ethics Ep. 1 - Pressure, Metrics and Misconduct in Science

    What if your academic career depended less on what you discover and more on how often you publish? In this first episode of the special edition of Committed to Planet A, we dive into the logic of “publish or perish”. A system in which publication numbers, citation counts and metrics like the h-index often determine jobs, funding and reputation. We explore how this pressure shapes everyday life in academia, especially for early-career researchers, and how performance indicators can influence research topics, priorities and even behavior. From salami slicing and ghost authorship to paper mills and predatory journals, we discuss where strategic adaptation ends and scientific misconduct begins. At the same time, we look at possible alternatives: more differentiated contribution models like the CRediT taxonomy, stronger research integrity guidelines and a broader understanding of what makes a “good” scientist. This episode asks a fundamental question: How can we build an academic system that rewards quality, transparency and integrity – not only productivity?

    16 min

  4. Jun 3

    Amplifying Student Superpowers: The EURECA-PRO Student Council on Air

    What happens when you bypass the geographical static and tune four different countries into the exact same frequency? You unleash the true superpowers of the student movement. In this new episode of Committed to Planet A, the Universidad de León coordinates a truly borderless recording, broadcasting simultaneously from Belgium, Spain, Pakistan, and Poland to capture a pivotal moment: the official board handover of the EURECA-PRO Student Council. Guided by our host, Andrés Sánchez (Andrelo), we mix the "old guard" and the "new blood" on the airwaves. We are joined by Ihtesham Ud Din and Aralia Muñiz (outgoing board) along with Juan Guerrero and Klaudia Cholewa (incoming board) to talk bluntly about what it really means to lead change within a European alliance. We turn up the volume on honest conversations regarding the gap between institutional bureaucracy and the human side of university life, explore how to ground the concept of Responsible Consumption and Production (RCP), and close with a very special studio dynamic: an exchange of "superpowers" and radio-ready advice to survive—and enjoy—the journey ahead! In this episode, you will find: On the Air: The real people behind the roles and what motivated them to join the council from different corners of the world. Brutal Honesty: Direct frequencies sent to rectors and coordinators to make the alliance truly work for its students. Future & Priorities: The new leadership's key signals to connect campuses across all 9 countries. The Handover: Essential tools and mutual advice for their upcoming professional lives. 🎧 Tune in, turn it up, and discover the driving force behind the student engine in Europe!

    32 min
  5. The Secret Life of a Smartphone: Insights into Mining with Michel Varelija

    Mar 26

    The Secret Life of a Smartphone: Insights into Mining with Michel Varelija

    Have you ever wondered what’s actually inside a smartphone? What raw materials are hidden in there and how are they are actually extracted? In this new episode of Committed to Planet A, we take you to the mining grounds to explore what really goes into the smartphones we use every day. From the materials hidden inside your device to the environmental and social impact of mining, we uncover the journey from raw resources to finished product - and what we can do to make this process more sustainable. For this episode, Sandrina Gasser, Chair of the EURECA-PRO Communication and Dissemination Office, sat down with Michel Varelija, researcher and expert in Mining Engineering and Geotechnics at Technical University of Leoben. Together, they talk about the hidden life cycle of smartphones, why responsible mining matters, and how more sustainable practices could shape the future of our devices.

    23 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    The Human Factor Behind the Staff Week in Leoben

    In this new episode of Committed to Planet A, we take you to the heart of the International Week held at Montanuniversitat Leoben last October. Beyond the agendas and strategic meetings, we explore the "human factor" that drives our European alliance. This program marks a technical milestone for EURECA-PRO: it is our first-ever remote recording connecting 5 countries simultaneously (Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, and Spain), proving that collaboration truly knows no borders. Hosted by Maria Speck (Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences) and Andrés Sánchez (University of León), we are joined by three guests who are key members of the Working Groups meeting in Austria: Anna Rath (Montanuniversitat Leoben) – International Relations Office (IRO) Capucine François (Université de Lorraine) – Communication & Dissemination (CODI) Steven Palmaers (Hasselt University) – Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Together, we discuss the latest developments in mobility, our joint communication strategy, and the fostering of entrepreneurship. We also share candid insights into the personal experience of organizing and living through these massive international events. Tune in to hear how we are building Europe—from Leoben to the world.

    24 min

  7. 08/20/2025

    A new call for doctoral students: PhD Journey 2025.

    In this new Student Sessions episode, we give you all the details about the PhD Journey 2025 call, organized by three universities in our alliance: TU Bergakademie Freiberg/Hochschule Mittweida and the University of León. Our colleague Andrés Sánchez interviews Beatriz Álvarez, EURECA-PRO technician at ULE, Beatriz Jiménez Parra, coordinator of the Doctoral School in León, and Ana Cuesta, a PhD student who took part in the 2024 PhD Journey. Listen to this episode and find out how to take part if you're a doctoral student!

    40 min

  8. 06/23/2025

    European Universities and the Future of the Academic Sector

    On the occasion of their visit at TUC last March, we chat with Vanessa Massegg, EURECA-PRO's General Project Lead and Lisa Pichler, former General Project Lead, both from MUL, about European Universities, and the future of the academic sector.

    14 min
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About

Join us as we dive into insightful conversations with EURECA-PRO researchers and students, exploring key topics related to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and broader sustainability challenges. In each episode, you’ll gain valuable knowledge, hear inspiring stories, and get to know the people driving innovation and change within our alliance. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, curious about cutting-edge research, or looking for fresh perspectives, this podcast is for you. Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation on building a more sustainable future with EURECA-PRO!

Information

  • Creator
    The EURECA-PRO Podcast Series
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Committed to Planet A