Human Stories Behind the Robot

UK RAS Network
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Human Stories Behind the Robots is a UK-RAS podcast exploring the people behind robotics research and innovation. Through honest and inspiring conversations, the series shares the personal journeys, challenges, and motivations shaping the robotics community. 

Episodes

  1. Oct 15

    The Human Doubt Behind Intelligent Robots

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... How do you build an independent research career when uncertainty, rejection and self-doubt are part of the job? In this episode of Human Stories Behind the Robots, Professor Shan Luo, Chair of Robotics and AI at King’s College London, shares his journey through tactile sensing, computer vision and robot perception. He explains how moving between universities, countries and disciplines helped him combine different ideas and develop a distinctive research identity. Shan also offers practical and honest advice for early career researchers. He discusses securing major research funding, strengthening proposals through feedback and mock interviews, communicating across disciplines, managing the many responsibilities of academic life and responding constructively to failure. He also reflects on imposter syndrome, parenthood, productivity and why seeking advice is one of the most valuable habits an ECR can develop. In this episode, you’ll discover: how to develop an independent research visionwhat makes a compelling grant or fellowship applicationwhy early feedback and mock interviews matterhow interdisciplinary experience can strengthen your careerwhy uncertainty and imposter syndrome are normal in researchhow to learn from rejection and unexpected resultswhy seeking advice can help you identify and correct blind spotshow to balance ambitious goals with the realities of academic lifeThe purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

  2. Sep 17

    From Bold Ideas to Real-World Impact

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... What happens when a research idea seems too ambitious, too unfamiliar or simply too early for the world to understand? In this episode of The Human Stories Behind the Robots, Prof Sabine Hauert OBE shares her journey from experimenting with flying robot swarms to developing technologies that could fight wildfires, monitor environments, and transform cancer treatment. If you are just starting your research career, it can be tempting to assume that success came easily to those who are now established in their fields. Sabine’s story shows a very different reality. She speaks openly about repeated rejection, ideas that took years to find support and the difficult journey from a promising laboratory experiment to technology that works in the real world. Sabine also explores how she balances bold, blue-sky thinking with the need to show progress, co-creates projects with her students and communicates unfamiliar ideas so that others can understand their value. She shares how different role models have shaped her approach to leadership and how becoming a parent changed her relationship with time, travel and trying to do everything perfectly. In this episode, you will discover: How futuristic research can become a real-world solution Why rejection is a normal—and valuable—part of research How to balance bold ideas with tangible progress Why storytelling helps unfamiliar ideas gain support How curiosity, collaboration and role models shape a career How parenthood changed Sabine’s approach to time and perfection The purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

  3. Aug 20

    Beyond the Robots: Redefining Success

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... What does it take to build a meaningful career in robotics while navigating rejection, leadership, parenthood and the pressures of academia? In this episode of The Human Stories Behind the Robots, John speaks with Dr Antonia Tzemanaki, Associate Professor in Robotics at the University of Bristol and leader of the Dexterous Manipulation and Wearable Robotics Group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory. Antonia shares how curiosity and unexpected opportunities led her from electrical and computer engineering into medical robotics, haptics and teleoperation. She also reflects on becoming a research leader, redefining success, balancing academia with motherhood and learning to treat rejection as part of the journey. What listeners will gain Listeners will discover: How openness and cross-disciplinary collaboration can help researchers find their niche. Why meaningful research should be guided by real human and clinical needs. How success can evolve from personal achievement to helping a team flourish. Practical ways to learn from rejected papers and funding proposals. Why mentors, supportive colleagues and a sense of belonging matter. How parenthood can reshape boundaries, priorities and definitions of success. What early-career researchers should look for in a healthy workplace culture. Key takeaway Antonia’s story shows that a successful career does not require a perfect plan. Curiosity, resilience and the right people can open unexpected paths. Success is not only measured by grants and publications, but also by what you learn, the people you help and the environment you create for others. The purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

    Beyond the Robots: Redefining Success

  4. Aug 6

    Beyond the PhD: Leadership, Start-ups and Finding Your Own Path

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... How do you turn years of research into something that genuinely changes the world? And what does nobody tell you about making the leap from academia into a startup? In this episode of The Human Stories Behind the Robots, John sits down with Dr Matthew Nancekievill, CEO and Co-founder of Ice Nine Robotics, to explore the realities of building a robotics company from academic research. Matthew shares how a PhD unexpectedly changed the direction of his career, why he chose to commercialise research instead of leaving it on the shelf, and what it's really like leading a growing robotics company operating in highly regulated industries. Rather than focusing on overnight success, this conversation explores something much more valuable: how confidence develops, why mentors matter, how to make decisions under uncertainty, and why running a successful startup doesn't have to mean sacrificing your life. Together they discuss everything from networking and leadership to work-life balance, cash flow, burnout, LinkedIn, adaptability and building a company that reflects your own values, not somebody else's definition of success. Whether you're an early career researcher, considering entrepreneurship, or simply curious about the people behind robotics innovation, this episode is packed with honest reflections and practical advice.  In this episode, you'll discover:  Why Matthew decided to leave academia and build Ice Nine Robotics.  How mentors helped shape his confidence and decision-making.  The reality of balancing technical expertise with business leadership.  Why networking is really about building genuine relationships.  The myths surrounding startup culture and "hustle".  How to build a business around your own personality and values.  Why adaptability and perseverance matter more than having the perfect plan. Practical advice for researchers thinking about commercialisation.The purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

    Beyond the PhD: Leadership, Start-ups and Finding Your Own Path

  5. Jul 16

    The Research that became a Robotics Company

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... What happens when curiosity, biology, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship collide? In the first episode of Human Stories Behind the Robots, Dr John Oyekan sits down with Prof James Marshall, Director of the Centre for Machine Intelligence at the University of Sheffield and founder of Opteran. James shares the remarkable journey from studying insect brains to building neuromorphic software that could fundamentally change autonomous robotics. The conversation explores career pivots, interdisciplinary thinking, academic entrepreneurship, leadership and why some of the biggest breakthroughs happen when different disciplines begin talking to each other. Top Takeaways 1. Great ideas often emerge at the intersection of disciplines James never planned to become a robotics entrepreneur. His journey crossed computer science, biology, neuroscience, AI, gaming, robotics and entrepreneurship. Innovation often happens where disciplines overlap—not within traditional boundaries. 2. Research can become real-world impact The Green Brain Project began as fundamental neuroscience research. Years later, it evolved into Opteran—a company developing insect-inspired intelligence for autonomous machines. The message is simple: Basic research today can become tomorrow's technology. 3. Success isn't about doing everything yourself One of James' strongest messages is finding people whose strengths complement your own. His partnership with co-founder Alex Cope combined different skills into something much larger than either could have built alone. "No one is good at everything." The purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

    The Research that became a Robotics Company

  6. Season 1, Episode 37 Trailer

    Introducing Human Stories Behind the Robots

    Do you have a question? Ask it here... Introducing Human Stories Behind the Robots What would you take with you if you were starting your robotics journey all over again? In this trailer, host Dr. John Oyeko introduces Human Stories Behind the Robots, a new podcast from the UK-RAS Network that explores the people behind robotics research and innovation. Through honest and inspiring conversations with leading researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators, the series uncovers the personal journeys that shape the robotics community. From career-defining moments and unexpected setbacks to breakthrough discoveries and future ambitions, each episode reveals the human experiences behind the technology. Whether you're a student, researcher, industry professional, or simply curious about robotics, this podcast offers a unique look at the stories, motivations, and lessons that often go untold. In this podcast, you'll hear:  Personal journeys into robotics and innovation  Career turning points and pivotal decisions  Lessons learned from challenges and failures  Stories of mentorship, inspiration, and belonging  Perspectives from academia, industry, and entrepreneurship  Insights into the future of robotics and autonomous systems Join us as we uncover the human stories behind the robots. Host Dr. John Oyeko Produced by UK-RAS Network The purpose of this podcast is to inspire students and early-career researchers, building our academic robotics community by sharing the human stories behind the robots.  Email: ​​uk-ras@manchester.ac.uk for questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the UK-RAS network, you can follow us on X and Linkedin or visit our website to find out more www.https://uk-ras.org.uk/ Produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The UK-RAS network does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

    Introducing Human Stories Behind the Robots
  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

About

Human Stories Behind the Robots is a UK-RAS podcast exploring the people behind robotics research and innovation. Through honest and inspiring conversations, the series shares the personal journeys, challenges, and motivations shaping the robotics community. 

Information

  • Creator
    UK RAS Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Human Stories Behind the Robot
  • Show Website
    Human Stories Behind the Robot