This week we ask which companies oppose climate action — and whether ownership structures make a difference. Most people see action on climate change as essential. But powerful lobbies continue to push the other way. Understanding what drives corporate opposition to climate policy therefore matters enormously. New research examines one underexplored factor: company ownership structures. Are publicly listed firms more likely to oppose climate action than privately held ones? Does it matter how concentrated a company's ownership is, or how short-term its investors' horizons are? And what are the implications for governments trying to advance climate policy? Joining host Alan Renwick to discuss the findings is Jared Finnegan, Lecturer in Public Policy at the UCL Department of Political Science and one of the study's co-authors. Mentioned in this episode: Fighting the Future: Short-Term Investors and Business Opposition to Climate Policy by Jared J. Finnegan and Jonas Meckling, British Journal of Political Science. Presenter: Alan Renwick Guests: Jared Finnegan Producer: Matthieu Dinh Names of the podcast owner and those who have vetted this content to be ready for publishing: Alan Renwick Transcription link: https://uncoveringpolitics.com/episodes/which-companies-oppose-climate-action/transcript

In this episode, host Jade Hunter delves into Grand Challenges-funded project, Visible CoSpace Study - a youth-led, co-produced study aimed at addressing the health inequalities faced by young people from marginalised communities. Joined by project co-leads Dr Keri Wong and Dr Lusi Morhayim, the discussion uncovers the critical role of youth clubs and community spaces in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of 14 to 25-year-olds. As they explore the impact of reduced funding and the closure of youth clubs across the UK, the conversation highlights the insights gained from interviews with young people and community youth workers, revealing how these spaces serve as essential safe havens for vulnerable youth. Transcription link: Language: English This episode also examines how the project's findings are influencing policy discussions around youth wellbeing and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in research.

In Episode 6 of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley speaks with Professor Carolyn McGettigan, former LGBTQ+ Committee Chair at UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences about pronouns what they are why they matter and how they support gender inclusion in everyday work and learning. Carolyn shares their personal journey to using they them pronouns explains why not everyone feels able or ready to share pronouns publicly and offers practical ways to build inclusive habits without putting anyone on the spot. The conversation also explores the role of allyship in normalising pronoun use how to respond when mistakes happen and simple language shifts such as moving away from gendered greetings that can help create more welcoming classrooms meetings and professional spaces. If you want this slightly more formal or slightly more conversational let me know and I will adjust it. Duration: 42.03 Language of episode: English Presenter: Beverley Isibor Guests: Professor Carolyn McGettigan Producer: Teresa Baker Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/about-faculty/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/edi-chronicles-brain-sciences-podcast

In this episode of EDI Chronicles at Brain Sciences, Beverley Isibor sits down with Professor Anna Cox (Vice Dean for EDI, 2019–2024) to unpack what EDI leadership looks like in practice. Anna shares how she first stepped into leadership through Athena Swan work, why fairness sits at the heart of her approach and what helped Brain Sciences make meaningful progress over five years. Together, they explore the power of clear governance structures, faculty-wide collaboration and using tools like annual reporting and staff surveys to track progress and drive coherence across diverse departments. The conversation also highlights the human side of EDI leadership and showing how culture change is built through both strategy and care. Duration: 38.06 Language of episode: English Presenter: Beverley Isibor Guests: Professor Anna Cox Producer: Teresa Baker Transcription link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/about-faculty/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/edi-chronicles-brain-sciences-podcast

Despite mine closures and talk of phasing out, global coal usage is at an all-time high, with countries like the UK still importing coal for key industries. Dr Andrew Seaton, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss how coal never truly disappeared but evolved in form and influence. From Britain's re-importation of coal to global surges in consumption, Dr Seaton challenges the idea of a clean energy transition, and uncovers coal’s deep ties to industry, health, inequality, and the climate. Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield Guests: Dr Andrew Seaton Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Transcription link: https://liveuclac-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ucylaem_ucl_ac_uk/ESY-yPbC7wJAsD5EGLcfFSoB3Ozb3iq-QB5bhEQBTX3q6g?e=JdZ8Yq

The UK faces a deepening housing crisis. As the population grows, pressure on an already stretched housing stock continues to mount. Experts estimate that up to 4.5 million new homes may be needed to close the gap. That’s a shortfall that’s driving economic strain and worsening issues from social inequality to homelessness. In this episode Professor Priti Parikh is joined by Professor Stanimira Milcheva and Pete Gladwell to set out the scale of the problem, the reasons that have led to the current situation and some potential solutions which may address it. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-13 Duration: 00:34:35 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Priti Parikh Guests: Professor Stanimira Milcheva; and Pete Gladwell Producer: Adam Batstone and Chizoba Onyiuke Podcast owner: Chizoba Onyiuke

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, hosts Zhitong Li and Phoebe Chen sit down with pianist and UCL Management Science student Kaito Mizukoshi for a conversation that flows between introspection, culture, and the unexpected rhythms of life with ADHD. Kaito opens up about receiving his ADHD diagnosis in London, years after growing up in Japan where the condition is often overlooked—or even quietly associated with success. He shares how this new understanding reshaped the way he studies, practices music, and takes care of himself, revealing the strategies, struggles, and surprising gifts that come with a restless mind. From five-hour piano practice sessions to battling distraction during coursework, from navigating UCL as an international student to finding connection across cultural gaps, Kaito reflects on identity, belonging, and the power of self-knowledge. The trio dive into stigma, romanticisation of mental health, friendship, and the small but meaningful ways we learn to work with—not against—our own nature. Set to the delicate beauty of Debussy performed by Kaito himself, this episode is an intimate look at how one student turns introspection into empowerment and transforms challenge into creativity. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04 Duration: 00:40:58 Language of episode: english Presenter: Zhitong Li, Phoebe Chen Guests: Kaito Mizukoshi Producer: takoua jendoubi Podcast Owner: Takoua Jendoubi

Discover how technology and innovative finance are helping communities protect forests and build sustainable economies. In this episode of Life of PIE, host Onye Idoko speaks with Nicolas Prieto, MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship alum and CEO of climate tech startup Voltiva, and Tereza Bízková., co-founder of Refi Medellin. They explore real-world examples of crypto and regenerative finance in action in Colombia. Date of episode recording: 2025-11-09 Duration: 00:35:17 Language of episode: English Presenter: Onya Idoko Guests: Nicolas Prieto and Tereza Bízková Producer: Juan Manuel Fournier Castillo Names of the podcast owner: Victoria Howard

Date of episode recording: 2025-10-02 Duration: 00:47:48 Language of episode: English Presenter: Steve Fleming, Selina Wray Guests: Caswell Barry, Lucy Unwin Producer: Patrick Robinson

In this episode, Onya speaks with Mara Stoll (UCL MSc Prosperity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and theologian Dr. David Dark about how hermeneutics, the art of interpretation, can transform social entrepreneurship. Together, they unpack why understanding our own assumptions and a community’s lived reality is key to avoiding well-intentioned missteps. Discover how applying hermeneutic principles can help founders slow down, listen deeply, and co-create ventures that truly fit the people they are meant to serve. Date of episode recording: 2025-09-01 Duration: 00:41:27 Language of episode: English Presenter: Dr Onya Idoko Guests: Mara Stoll and Dr David Dark Producer: Manolo Fournier Podcast owner: Victoria Howard