First in Family Podcast

fifpodcast
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Welcome to the First in Family Podcast! Join Jane Setter interviewing first generation students, graduates and educational researchers, discussing topics like students' journey into higher education, challenges they have faced, what we know about working with first generation students, and tips advice for prospective students. Funded by the University of Reading, the podcast aims to give first generation students the chance to share their experiences, and to offer advice for current students, those considering applying for university, and anyone supporting first generation students. If you are the first in your family to go to university and would be interested in sharing your story on the podcast, or if you are working with first generation students, please get in touch by emailing fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    FiF Podcast Episode 11: Nicoleta Tanase

    After moving to the UK from Romania to do her GCSEs and A levels, first generation student Nicoleta Tanase now studies Economics at the University of Reading. She talks about her background being a first generation student and how this has impacted the shift to studying at university, such as adjusting to the hidden curriculum and interacting with university staff. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Grace Sutton and Jane Setter from the University of Reading, UK. Funding was provided by the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Want to be on the podcast? Contact us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk. And don't forget to Like and Subscribe if you want to hear more!

  2. Oct 16

    FiF Podcast Episode 10: Amy Morrell

    Why do some students feel like impostors at university? Jane chats with Amy Morrell, a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, who is currently undertaking a PhD which explores the experiences of university students from disadvantaged groups, including First Generation students. With the support of her supervisor, Prof. Julie Hulme, Amy is hoping to find out what universities can do to ensure all students feel they belong, and how getting this right can help them to thrive in their degree and beyond.   This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Grace Sutton and Jane Setter from the University of Reading, UK. Funding was provided by the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Want to be on the podcast? Contact us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk.

  3. Oct 2

    FiF Podcast Episode 9: Grace Sutton

    What's it like being a First Generation student? Listen to second year BA English Language and Linguistics student Grace chat with Jane about her experience, from (accidentally) attending an Open Day to classes to extra-curricular activities - including presenting a radio show - and more! This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Grace Sutton and Jane Setter from the University of Reading, UK. Funding was provided by the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Want to be on the podcast? Contact us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk.

  4. Oct 2

    FiF Podcast Episode 5: Alan Smith

    Prof. Jane Setter interviews Alan Smith, who is Professor of Learning and Teaching at Leeds-Beckett University. Jane and Alan discuss his work with first-generation students, as well as his own experience being a first generation student. Alan goes on to explain to Jane how he and his colleagues aim to support students’ transitions throughout university life, along with teaching Jane about the Rhubarb Triangle and how he uses food to build positive educational relationships with students. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter, Lily Dewar and Grace Sutton from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  5. Sep 18

    FiF Podcast Episode 8: Dermot Daly

    Jane's guest this week is Dr Dermot Daly: a university lecturer, researcher and practitioner working across theatre, film and audio as an actor, director and dramaturg. He was the first in his family to go to university, and talks about his experience of being the first to be awarded a PhD, and how an accident during his A-levels changed the course of his education and career. We will look at his journey from a 15 year old grammar school boy, through his undergrad, his years outside of higher education and to his return to it. Check out Dermot's practitioner website for more information on what he's up to now, and his Leeds Beckett page here. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, Grace Sutton, and Jane Setter from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  6. Sep 4

    FiF Podcast Episode 7: Dan Skelson

    Jane talks to Dr Dan Skelson, lecturer in Chemstry at the University of Reading, about his experience of studying in higher education and his journey into teaching at the University. Originally from Dorset and coming from a family with a strong military history, he was the first person in his family to attend university and tread a new path. He teaches the Science Foundation students in Chemistry, promoting the wellbeing and community aspect of learning within a diverse cohort. You may be interested in an Alumni article on Dan here: https://sites.reading.ac.uk/connected/2025/10/14/from-first-generation-student-to-lecturer/. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Grace Sutton, Lily Dewar and Jane Setter from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  7. Aug 21

    FiF Podcast Episode 6: Abbie Tibbot

    Prof. Jane Setter talks to Digital Humanities Officer Abbie Tibbot about her time studying at university as she finalises her PhD, and how she feels her first-generation status has impacted her experience within academia. Seeing university education as a "get out of jail free card", Abbie discusses the financial issues of studying at university while coming from a working-class background from the Isle of Wight, as well as the impact of (lack of) encouragement/support from schools to pursue higher education, the benefits of studying Humanities subjects, and "the AI situation". We discuss Abbie's PhD on citizenship and the concepts of underrepresented groups in the 1920s, whether having a PhD means one can still consider themselves to be working class, and accent and identity. We mention the pilot podcast in this episode, which is available as Episode 1 and can also be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBLePua52I. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter, Lily Dewar and Grace Sutton from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  8. Jul 24

    FiF Podcast Episode 4: Anna Mammitzsch

    Prof. Jane Setter interviews Dr Anna Mammitzsch about her journey across Europe to graduating with a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Stockholm University. Anna explains, that for her parents living in East Germany during its division, studying at university was not an option for them. This and being encouraged to travel and see the world, influenced her decision to begin an undergraduate degree in European studies at the Catholic University of Bavaria, with a study abroad year in Sweden, where she now lives. Jane and Anna discuss the implications of her first generation student status for university life, such as dealing with imposter syndrome. We would like to note that this episode was recorded in 2025, when it was not known that the UK would be re-entering the Erasmus program. Additionally, during the recording of this episode there were technical issues outside of our control that occasionally affected the quality of the recording, which we apologise for. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  9. Jul 10

    FiF Podcast Episode 3: Zara Parr

    Professor Jane Setter talks to Zara Parr, a graduate from the University of Reading, about her experiences applying for and studying at university. This episode discusses life whilst studying, such as finding work, and studying abroad, as well as Zara’s journey to now working in the Cabinet Office. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  10. Jun 26

    FiF Podcast Episode 2: Angela Smith

    Join Professor Jane Setter interviewing Dr Angela Smith about her experience being a first generation student, and her journey to becoming a research fellow in the Energy Demand Centre at the University of Leeds. Angela touches upon her time in Sixth form and her unconventional entry into university, and how her working class background impacted her time studying at Coventry University, the University of Leeds and Bournemouth University. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  11. Jun 9

    FiF Podcast Episode 1 (pilot): Jake Ishiguro-Shute

    Listen to Professor Jane Setter interview University of Reading student, Jake Ishiguro-Shute, in the pilot episode of the First in Family podcast. Jake talks about his thoughts on the financial and social challenges that first generation students might face, and how the support of his wife influenced his decision in applying to university. If you’d like to let us know how this episode went or are interested in sharing your first generation student experiences with us, please complete our pilot episode survey. This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay. Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast. Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

  • 11 Episodes

About

Welcome to the First in Family Podcast! Join Jane Setter interviewing first generation students, graduates and educational researchers, discussing topics like students' journey into higher education, challenges they have faced, what we know about working with first generation students, and tips advice for prospective students. Funded by the University of Reading, the podcast aims to give first generation students the chance to share their experiences, and to offer advice for current students, those considering applying for university, and anyone supporting first generation students. If you are the first in your family to go to university and would be interested in sharing your story on the podcast, or if you are working with first generation students, please get in touch by emailing fifpodcast@reading.ac.uk.

Information

  • Creator
    fifpodcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    First in Family Podcast