What does transitioning away from fossil fuels really look like, and who bears the greatest responsibility? Join Associate Professor Dr Fergus Green and Professor Philip Schofield as they unpack the politics of climate action. From phasing out fossil fuel extraction to navigating inequality, lobbying and populism, Dr Green argues that real climate progress demands political strategies that put people and fairness at the heart of policy.

Date of episode recording: 2025-12-01
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Fergus Green
Commissioners: Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL)
Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)
Producer: Stevie Doran

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: 2025-12-01
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Andrew Seaton
Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & the late Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL)

Vision impairment affects millions of people worldwide. Dr Michael Crossland, a Senior Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology, joins Professor Philip Schofield to discuss his research on how cutting-edge AI technologies can offer immediate support for those with low vision. They also explore how art, such as the work of visually impaired artist Luka Kille, provides a powerful way to express the lived experience of vision loss.

Credits:
Date of episode recording: 2024-12-01
Duration: 00:16:02
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Philip Schofield
Guests: Dr Michael Crossland
Producer: Professor David Docherty OBE & Dr Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science, UCL) Director: Justin Hardy (IOE - Culture, Communication & Media, UCL) Producer: Stevie Doran