Life Solved

University of Portsmouth

LIFE SOLVED lifts the lid on the latest ideas and discoveries that look set to change our lives.   Every week we’ll bring you a fresh episode featuring cutting-edge research. Find out how this is set to revolutionise the way our world works. We’ll explain how technology and community go hand in hand with the natural world, and how industry and sustainable environments can connect for the benefit of society. Real research. Real world change.   From your subconscious political behaviour on social media to how we can use tech to get swift diagnosis and treatment for common medical problems, the big ideas are here.   Subscribe for a new episode every week, and share the big idea #lifesolved   You can find out more about research taking place at the University of Portsmouth at port.ac.uk/life-solved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. JAN 22

    Plastic Politics: What happens if the Global Plastics Treaty fails?

    Countries are negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty to unite nations against plastic pollution, but progress has been significantly delayed. The process is under scrutiny, the Chair has recently stepped down, and while the next round of talks (INC-5.3) is scheduled for February 2026, the future of the treaty remains uncertain.  Even if consensus is achieved, ratification could take years. So what happens in the meantime? In this episode, we explore how governments, businesses, and civil society can maintain momentum without a treaty, and whether the UK can seize a leadership role.  Speaking to Dr Antaya March from the University of Portsmouth’s Global Plastics Policy Centre, we uncover practical steps, innovative policies, and grassroots actions that could make a difference now. Production team: Robyn Austin-Montague Caroline Meech Music: Ambient Emotional Cinematic by ColourFilmMusic Learn more links: Global Plastics Policy Centre Scientists urge governments not to wait for global plastics treaty as pollution continues to grow | University of Portsmouth Leaders gather at UK Parliament to strengthen national and global action on plastic pollution | University of Portsmouth   Revolution Plastics Institute | University of Portsmouth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

  2. 11/27/2025

    The secret social lives of primates: What chimps and monkeys reveal about human nature

    How similar are we to our closest living relatives? Closer than you might think - and the latest research is revealing just how much we share with chimpanzees and monkeys. In this episode of Life Solved, we speak to two experts from the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, who are passionate about the deep evolutionary roots of human intelligence. Dr Esther Herrmann and Dr Marine Joly explain how studying our closest evolutionary cousins helps us understand what makes us human, why complex social groups drive cognitive evolution, and what our responsibility is to protect these remarkable, intelligent creatures. Production team: Robyn Austin-Montague Lauren Harrison Jaelithe Swan Music: Music bed by Korolkov Production Wildlife sounds captured by Dr Jerome Micheletta Learn more links: Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology | University of Portsmouth Dr Esther Herrmann's chimpanzee rationality study Dr Marine Joly's macaque impulse control research Science is Wonderful EU Event Many Primates Project Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min

  3. 10/14/2025

    The power of Fighting with Pride to make change happen

    In this episode we chat to Craig Jones MBE, founder of the charity Fighting with Pride, a University of Portsmouth alumnus, and a recent honorary graduate recipient. The Royal Navy veteran’s story is one of resilience, transformation and advocacy; from serving in silence under a ban on LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces, to starting a charity that’s changed lives and policy in the UK. It serves as a powerful reminder of what courage and commitment can achieve. Production team: Raechelle Jackson Robyn Austin-Montague Music: Calm Inspiring by trickytwoaudio Inspiring Corporate by Ultra_Music Upbeat and Inspiring Corporate by WavebeatsMusic Learn more links: Fighting With Pride | RAF Benevolent Fund Alumni spotlight | University of Portsmouth Craig Jones MBE | University of Portsmouth Honorary Degree Awards Nominations | University of Portsmouth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  4. The R;pple effect: How personal loss led to life-saving tech

    09/17/2025

    The R;pple effect: How personal loss led to life-saving tech

    In the first episode of Series 15 we meet Alice Hendy MBE, CEO and founder of R;pple Suicide Prevention and a recent University of Portsmouth honorary graduate. Alice set up the charity from scratch after losing her brother to suicide in November 2020. Drawing on her cybersecurity background, she created R;pple - an innovative digital tool that intercepts harmful online searches and guides individuals to free mental health support. This episode explores how personal experience can drive innovation, the power of refusing to accept that things cannot be better, and how one person's determination to prevent other families from experiencing their loss has created a global safety net for those in crisis. Content note: This episode deals with suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners. Support resources are available here: Get Support | Helplines and Resources | R;pple Production team: Robyn Austin-Montague Lauren Harrison Music: Emotional and Uplifting by bdProductions Learn more: R;pple: Crisis Intervention | Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Alumni spotlight | University of Portsmouth Alice Hendy MBE | University of Portsmouth Honorary Degree Awards Nominations | University of Portsmouth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min

  5. 05/22/2024

    What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?

    This week Life Solved has a special one-off episode looking at INC-4. We unpack the fourth session of Global Plastics Treaty talks that recently took place in Canada - where global policymakers, charities, experts, and businesses sat down to work out how to end plastic pollution. In her opening address, United Nations Environment Programme Chief, Inger Andersen, said to stop plastic pollution, we need to start at the start and end at the end. Sounds simple, but many fear these meetings create more barriers than solutions. To give us a unique glimpse into what happens at these negotiations, we have three experts from the University of Portsmouth's Revolution Plastics Institute who were at INC-4 themselves. We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questions on this episode or ideas for future episodes to lifesolved@port.ac.uk. If you’ve been inspired by this episode, and want to support our research then head to port.ac.uk/lifesolved to find out how. You can also find out how to work or study with us. USEFUL LINKS Professor Steve Fletcher: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/steve-fletcher The world has a chance to end plastic pollution – the petrochemical giants mustn’t spoil it: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/29/world-plastic-pollution-petrochemical-giants-un-treaty-2015-paris-lobbyists Dr Cressida Bowyer: https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/cressida-bowyer Dr Erika Hughes: https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/erika-hughes Revolution Plastics: https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/events/the-revolution-continues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  6. 05/01/2024

    Life onboard a ship in the Southern Ocean for science

    In this episode we chat to two researchers who travelled to one of the most remote inhospitable regions on the planet, in the pursuit of science. Professor Fay Couceiro and Dr Clare Boston from the University of Portsmouth travelled 7,000 nautical miles onboard a Royal Navy ship during its annual trip to the frozen continent of Antarctica. We find out why they were there, what they saw, and what life at sea is really like.  We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questions on this episode or ideas for future episodes to lifesolved@port.ac.uk. If you’ve been inspired by this episode, and want to support our research then head to port.ac.uk/lifesolved to find out how. You can also find out how to work or study with us. Life Solved is released on Thursdays and available on all major podcast platforms. Host: John Worsey Producer: Robyn Montague  Sub Editors: John Worsey and Glenn Harris USEFUL LINKS Professor Fay Couceiro bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/fay-couceiro Dr Clare Boston bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/clare-boston Antarctica tales with Professor Fay Couceiro: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMbbN6LWR8 Revolution Plastics Institute: www.port.ac.uk/research/research-groups-and-centres/revolution-plastics-institute Protector completes Antarctic mission: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2024/march/08/240308-protector-completes-antarctic-mission Royal Navy supports science mission into human impact on Antarctica: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2023/december/05/20231205-royal-navy-supports-science-mission-into-human-impact-on-antarctica Antarctic Treaty: www.ats.aq/index_e.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min

  7. 04/24/2024

    Will architecture save the world?

    Instead of keeping nature out, architects around the world are looking at innovative ways to work with environments to help reduce the planet’s carbon footprint. To mark World Earth Day (April 22), this episode explores the transformative power of design and the impact of architecture on building a safe and sustainable future. We’re joined by Dr Phevos Kallitsis, Associate Head of the Portsmouth School of Architecture, and Dr Antonino Di Raimo is a Reader in Architecture at the University of Portsmouth. We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questions on this episode or ideas for future episodes to lifesolved@port.ac.uk. If you’ve been inspired by this episode, and want to support our research then head to port.ac.uk/lifesolved to find out how. You can also find out how to work or study with us. Life Solved is released on Thursdays and available on all major podcast platforms. Host: Robyn Montague Producer: Robyn Montague  Sub Editors: John Worsey and Glenn Harris USEFUL LINKS Dr Phevos Kallitsis bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/phevos-kallitsis Dr Antonino Di Raimo bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/antonino-di-raimo World Earth Day: www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/ Portsmouth School of Architecture: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/organisational-structure/our-academic-structure/faculty-of-creative-and-cultural-industries/school-of-architecture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  8. The unstoppable evolution of the English language

    04/18/2024

    The unstoppable evolution of the English language

    To mark UN English Language Day (23 April), we consider how English became one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. And we find out how a mathematical model developed at the University of Portsmouth might predict its future.  Dr Mario Saraceni, Associate Professor in English Language and Linguistics, explains how English spread and changed around the globe, and why speakers overseas influence how it’s spoken here in the UK. Dr James Burridge, Associate Professor in Probability and Statistical Physics, reveals how principles of physics and maths help him forecast how certain dialects of English will sound in the year 2066. We’d love you to be part of the discussion, too. Email your questions on this episode or ideas for future episodes to lifesolved@port.ac.uk. If you’ve been inspired by this episode, and want to support our research then head to port.ac.uk/lifesolved to find out how. You can also find out how to work or study with us. Life Solved is released on Thursdays and available on all major podcast platforms. Host: John Worsey Producer: Robyn Montague  Sub Editors: Robyn Montague and Glenn Harris USEFUL LINKS Dr Mario Saraceni bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/mario-saraceni Dr James Burridge bio: www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/james-burridge The problem with English: https://aeon.co/essays/how-do-you-decolonise-the-english-language Ey up northern English to become as lost as the hoddy dod: www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/ey-up-northern-english-to-become-as-lost-as-the-hoddy-dod UN English Language Day: www.un.org/en/observances/english-language-day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
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Trailers

About

LIFE SOLVED lifts the lid on the latest ideas and discoveries that look set to change our lives.   Every week we’ll bring you a fresh episode featuring cutting-edge research. Find out how this is set to revolutionise the way our world works. We’ll explain how technology and community go hand in hand with the natural world, and how industry and sustainable environments can connect for the benefit of society. Real research. Real world change.   From your subconscious political behaviour on social media to how we can use tech to get swift diagnosis and treatment for common medical problems, the big ideas are here.   Subscribe for a new episode every week, and share the big idea #lifesolved   You can find out more about research taking place at the University of Portsmouth at port.ac.uk/life-solved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Portsmouth
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © University of Portsmouth
  • Show Website
    Life Solved