https://simplecast.com Talking Humanities Talking Humanities introduces projects and reflections from researchers across the Arts and Humanities Faculty at Durham University. The faculty is home to a vibrant culture of ideas and research activities.   Talking Humanities features insights into collaborative projects working across the university and beyond - changing the ways in which we think and work. These highlight the transformative strength of Arts and Humanities and hope to inspire further reflection and activity. 2025 Durham University en Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:20:51 +0000 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:36:42 +0000 https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com Talking Humanities https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/c22d3454-5b23-4b6b-ac7f-7a61cd7f978a/b4d96a1b-65df-4ce1-8fad-7e80e462d490/3000x3000/talking_humanities_podcast_logo.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com episodic Talking Humanities introduces projects and reflections from researchers across the Arts and Humanities Faculty at Durham University. The faculty is home to a vibrant culture of ideas and research activities.   Talking Humanities features insights into collaborative projects working across the university and beyond - changing the ways in which we think and work. These highlight the transformative strength of Arts and Humanities and hope to inspire further reflection and activity. Durham University false https://feeds.simplecast.com/MHaHM2ph transformative humanities, humanities Durham University artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk 8677abaa-92df-47eb-881e-0e5cb41e8dc3 From Ancient Texts to Ethical Tech - Dr Thea Sommerschield and Professor Sue Black Aeneas article (Nature, 2025): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09292-5

Predicting the Past free online interface: https://predictingthepast.com/ (with links to the teaching syllabus and code base)

Aeneas release blogpost: https://deepmind.google/blog/aeneas-transforms-how-historians-connect-the-past/

Birthday Invitation of Sulpicia Lepidina, one of the earliest known examples of writing in Latin by a woman: https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/TabVindol291

Classics and Ancient History at Durham: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/classics-ancient-history/

Digital Humanities and Classics at Durham: https://digitalhumanities.webspace.durham.ac.uk/

TechUPWomen: https://www.techup.ac.uk/

TechUPWomen "How far we've come" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiq4_1N0DjU

AI and Ethics paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-024-00641-0

]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:20:51 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Dr Thea Sommerschield, Professor Sue Black, Alan Fentiman, Professor Giles Gasper) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/from-ancient-texts-to-ethical-tech-dr-thea-sommerschield-and-professor-sue-black-hUvjbeIM Aeneas article (Nature, 2025): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09292-5

Predicting the Past free online interface: https://predictingthepast.com/ (with links to the teaching syllabus and code base)

Aeneas release blogpost: https://deepmind.google/blog/aeneas-transforms-how-historians-connect-the-past/

Birthday Invitation of Sulpicia Lepidina, one of the earliest known examples of writing in Latin by a woman: https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/TabVindol291

Classics and Ancient History at Durham: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/classics-ancient-history/

Digital Humanities and Classics at Durham: https://digitalhumanities.webspace.durham.ac.uk/

TechUPWomen: https://www.techup.ac.uk/

TechUPWomen "How far we've come" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiq4_1N0DjU

AI and Ethics paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-024-00641-0

]]> From Ancient Texts to Ethical Tech - Dr Thea Sommerschield and Professor Sue Black Dr Thea Sommerschield, Professor Sue Black, Alan Fentiman, Professor Giles Gasper 00:31:10 For this episode we join Dr Thea Sommerschield from the Department of Classics and Ancient History and Professor Sue Black from the Department of Computer Science at Durham University. This free-flowing conversation brings together Thea’s work on AI and ancient inscriptions, with Sue’s work supporting women in tech and challenging bias in AI. We hear about the very different paths that led them into their research, before the conversation opens out into a fascinating discussion about ancient inscriptions, women in tech, the value of interdisciplinary research, and the importance of using technology in ways that are thoughtful, ethical, and transformative. For this episode we join Dr Thea Sommerschield from the Department of Classics and Ancient History and Professor Sue Black from the Department of Computer Science at Durham University. This free-flowing conversation brings together Thea’s work on AI and ancient inscriptions, with Sue’s work supporting women in tech and challenging bias in AI. We hear about the very different paths that led them into their research, before the conversation opens out into a fascinating discussion about ancient inscriptions, women in tech, the value of interdisciplinary research, and the importance of using technology in ways that are thoughtful, ethical, and transformative. sue black, large language models, thea sommerschield, machine learning, department of classics and ancient history, ancient world, women in tech, ancient inscriptions, recovering the past, ai bias, interdisciplinary research, department of computer science, underrepresented voices, ethical technology, durham university, technology and ethics, historical inscriptions, transformative humanities, women in stem, digital humanities, ai false full 6 2 628c27ae-1a23-4e28-b32b-f4bc79414ab1 Rivers of Ink Part 2 - Ross Ashton and Karen Monid A visit to St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, to hear how Rivers of Ink reimagines the Codex Amiatinus through projection, sound, and scholarship.

Find out more about Transformative Humanities

]]> Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:45:41 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Alan Fentiman, Professor Giles Gasper, Ross Ashton, Karen Monid) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/rivers-of-ink-part-2-ross-ashton-and-karen-monid-Y2hC9JoT A visit to St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, to hear how Rivers of Ink reimagines the Codex Amiatinus through projection, sound, and scholarship.

Find out more about Transformative Humanities

]]> Rivers of Ink Part 2 - Ross Ashton and Karen Monid Alan Fentiman, Professor Giles Gasper, Ross Ashton, Karen Monid 00:26:07 In this second part of Rivers of Ink, we’re at St Paul’s Church in Jarrow with artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid of The Projection Studio, whose touring installation reimagines the Codex Amiatinus through projection and sound. They explore the research behind the work, the challenge of visualising a world with little surviving evidence, and the wider history of writing and book-making that shaped the manuscript. We also discuss authorship and authenticity through the fascinating story of Codex’s altered dedication page, the labour of the monastic community who produced it, and how art and academia can open this complex historical and religious object to wider audiences. In this second part of Rivers of Ink, we’re at St Paul’s Church in Jarrow with artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid of The Projection Studio, whose touring installation reimagines the Codex Amiatinus through projection and sound. They explore the research behind the work, the challenge of visualising a world with little surviving evidence, and the wider history of writing and book-making that shaped the manuscript. We also discuss authorship and authenticity through the fascinating story of Codex’s altered dedication page, the labour of the monastic community who produced it, and how art and academia can open this complex historical and religious object to wider audiences. early medieval manuscript, latin bible manuscript, manuscript authenticity, manuscript production, parchment vellum, world’s oldest bible, north east england heritage, karen monid, codex amiatinus, dedication page forgery, immersive sound installation, monastic scribes, jarrow history, ross ashton, public engagement with history, wearmouth jarrow, earliest complete bible, the projection studio, textual transmission, art and academia collaboration, codex amiatinus podcast, scriptorium, light and sound installation, rivers of ink, venerable bede, jarrow monastery, medieval bookmaking, illuminated manuscript, rivers of ink podcast, st paul’s church jarrow, immersive projection, durham university humanities podcast, bede jarrow, projection mapping art false full 5 2 4fd8a59c-34a7-44db-85ec-f02039dc6537 Rivers of Ink Part 1 - Professor Francis Watson & Lauren Randall Mon, 9 Feb 2026 16:37:43 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Alan Fentiman, Lauren Randall, Francis Watson) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/rivers-of-ink-part-1-I_cDkCZm Rivers of Ink Part 1 - Professor Francis Watson & Lauren Randall Alan Fentiman, Lauren Randall, Francis Watson 00:15:21 In this episode we bring together Professor Francis Watson from the department of Theology and Religion and Lauren Randall, a Phd researcher at Durham University. They are both working on the manuscript Codex Amiatinus, the world’s oldest bible and about to tour their latest project, Rivers of Ink which looks at the making of the Codex Amiatinus and how it came to be produced in the North East of England. We talk about what makes Codex Amiatinus such an extraordinary manuscript, how it was made at Wearmouth and Jarrow, and how Rivers of Ink brings that story to life for audiences today through sound, light, and talks touring the region. In this episode we bring together Professor Francis Watson from the department of Theology and Religion and Lauren Randall, a Phd researcher at Durham University. They are both working on the manuscript Codex Amiatinus, the world’s oldest bible and about to tour their latest project, Rivers of Ink which looks at the making of the Codex Amiatinus and how it came to be produced in the North East of England. We talk about what makes Codex Amiatinus such an extraordinary manuscript, how it was made at Wearmouth and Jarrow, and how Rivers of Ink brings that story to life for audiences today through sound, light, and talks touring the region. northumbria, manuscript production, theology and religion, codex amiatinus, illuminated manuscripts, phd research, anglo-saxon england, jarrow, monastic life, vulgate bible, biblical manuscripts, monkwearmouth, sound and light installation, durham university, wearmouth-jarrow, rivers of ink, bede, heritage touring, early medieval manuscripts, book history, scribes and scriptoria false full 4 2 ce4eaf98-15f4-480a-83ab-fe52d0275cfa Thinking Space: How the Humanities Shape Our View of the Cosmos Our guests:

Dr Nikita Chiu

Dr Chris Cowie

Dr Vladimir Brljak

 

 

Find out more about Transformative Humanties.

]]> Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:57:19 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Alan Fentiman, Dr Chris Cowie, Dr Nikita Chiu, Dr Vladimir Brljak) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/thinking-space-how-the-humanities-shape-our-view-of-the-cosmos-l1RbwzS7 Our guests:

Dr Nikita Chiu

Dr Chris Cowie

Dr Vladimir Brljak

 

 

Find out more about Transformative Humanties.

]]> Thinking Space: How the Humanities Shape Our View of the Cosmos Alan Fentiman, Dr Chris Cowie, Dr Nikita Chiu, Dr Vladimir Brljak 00:38:45 In this episode, we bring together social scientist Dr Nikita Chu, philosopher Dr Chris Cowie and literary historian Dr Vladimir Brljak to explore how the humanities help us think about space. From historical cosmologies and philosophical questions about alien life to contemporary debates around space exploration, governance, and inclusion, the conversation reveals how ideas about space are shaped as much by culture, history, and values as by science. In this episode, we bring together social scientist Dr Nikita Chu, philosopher Dr Chris Cowie and literary historian Dr Vladimir Brljak to explore how the humanities help us think about space. From historical cosmologies and philosophical questions about alien life to contemporary debates around space exploration, governance, and inclusion, the conversation reveals how ideas about space are shaped as much by culture, history, and values as by science. space exploration, philosophy, social science, talking humanities, space governance, cosmology, perceptions of space, humanities, imagination and culture, research impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, policy and ethics, interdisciplinary research, uncertainty and the unknown, durham university, space, literary history, transformative humanities, inclusion and diversity, science and society, arts and humanities research, extraterrestrial life, shape disciplines false full 3 2 aec87185-8d31-4bb6-9584-6aab0384048d The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History Please visit the website for the walking trail: 

https://durhams-black-history.humap.site/


Link for Sean Creighton and also relevant media links: 

https://durhams-black-history.humap.site/about

 

Link to Durham's Palatinate Newspaper:  https://www.palatinate.org.uk

]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:29:52 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Nayanika Mookherjee, Sol Gamsu, Liam Liburd, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/the-absence-presence-of-durhams-black-history-VTWiemSE Please visit the website for the walking trail: 

https://durhams-black-history.humap.site/


Link for Sean Creighton and also relevant media links: 

https://durhams-black-history.humap.site/about

 

Link to Durham's Palatinate Newspaper:  https://www.palatinate.org.uk

]]> The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History Nayanika Mookherjee, Sol Gamsu, Liam Liburd, Alan Fentiman 00:33:32 In this episode, we bring together anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee, sociologist Dr Sol Gamsu, and historian Dr Liam Liburd to discuss The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History.  Through archival research, student collaboration, and a new Black History Walking Tour, the team reveal how Durham’s cathedral, university, and community are intertwined with global histories of colonialism, enslavement, resistance and race. This thoughtful conversation shows that rather than simply making invisible people visible, the project seeks to surface the recorded but untold stories of Black and minoritised individuals and to reframe the narratives surrounding celebrated institutions and figures in the region. In the process, it reminds us about the legacies of colonial power, and the continuing importance of re-examining the past. Above all, the walking trail highlights the interconnections between various working class communities. In this episode, we bring together anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee, sociologist Dr Sol Gamsu, and historian Dr Liam Liburd to discuss The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History.  Through archival research, student collaboration, and a new Black History Walking Tour, the team reveal how Durham’s cathedral, university, and community are intertwined with global histories of colonialism, enslavement, resistance and race. This thoughtful conversation shows that rather than simply making invisible people visible, the project seeks to surface the recorded but untold stories of Black and minoritised individuals and to reframe the narratives surrounding celebrated institutions and figures in the region. In the process, it reminds us about the legacies of colonial power, and the continuing importance of re-examining the past. Above all, the walking trail highlights the interconnections between various working class communities. university legacies of empire, black history month, decolonising durham university, british enslavement history, mining and empire durham, durham cathedral, fourah bay college sierra leone, black history walking tour, durham cathedral colonial links, durham black history, black history, colonial history durham, heritage and race in britain, durham university, racial history north east england, codrington college barbados, decolonial research durham false full 2 2 1dd8c8a8-7aaf-4fee-8844-af9a4f5f590d Science and the Humanities: Modelling the Black Death Overview:

The Black Death of 1348–9 stands “unchallenged as the greatest disaster in documented human history,” yet the characteristics of the disease that killed approximately half the population of Europe in just a handful of years have long confounded academics. Although largely thought to be caused by Yersinia pestis, it is still unclear how the disease spread so quickly in a preindustrial society. 

The project uses the latest computer modelling, originally developed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, to simulate the spread of the Black Death in England. The JUNE model applies modern census data about the population and a range of information about daily life – such as work patterns, travel, and social activities – to simulate the spread of disease. This is how traditional disease modelling works: with sufficient information about a population and their behaviour, alongside information about the characteristics of a disease, it is possible to project potential future outcomes and put mitigation policies in place to limit the spread.

This project inverts that logic by using the best knowledge of late medieval society to project plausible pathological pasts and determine the most likely way the disease spread. Drawing on historical and archaeological sources, the model reconstructs the broad characteristics of the late medieval population on the eve of the Black Death, such as location, age, sex, and occupation. This forms the “static” part of the model. From there, the team infers “dynamic” behavioural patterns, such as where people spent their time and whom they encountered in their daily lives. 

The primary objectives are to establish how the Black Death spread, the likely means of its transmission, and what this reveals about social connections in medieval society. The model can test for multiple modes of transmission: one direct, through human-to-human contact, where either infected fleas from carriers are transferred to uninfected people, or where close contact allows transmission through coughing; and one indirect, where infected fleas remain at a place and establish a “disease reservoir.”

Through this work, the project aims to shed new light on the disease itself and the extent to which it was spread by human interactions, as well as on the social connectivity of late medieval society by identifying how people likely interacted with one another during one of the worst pandemics in global history.

 

To find out more about the project please visit: https://modellingtheblackdeath.wordpress.com

 

Participants in the conversation:

Dr Alex Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, Durham University

Dr Grace Owen, Postdoctoral Research Associate, History, Durham University

Barney Sloane FSA, Independent Researcher, Oxfordshire

Prof Frank Krauss, Professor for Particle Theory, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham University

Professor Ifan Hughes, Head of the Quantum Light and Matter research group, Physics, Durham University

Callum M. Brown. MPhys, Research Assistant for the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham University

Dr Martha Correa-Delval, Research Software Engineer, Durham University

]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:30:57 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/science-and-the-humanities-modelling-the-black-death-06ucugTw Overview:

The Black Death of 1348–9 stands “unchallenged as the greatest disaster in documented human history,” yet the characteristics of the disease that killed approximately half the population of Europe in just a handful of years have long confounded academics. Although largely thought to be caused by Yersinia pestis, it is still unclear how the disease spread so quickly in a preindustrial society. 

The project uses the latest computer modelling, originally developed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, to simulate the spread of the Black Death in England. The JUNE model applies modern census data about the population and a range of information about daily life – such as work patterns, travel, and social activities – to simulate the spread of disease. This is how traditional disease modelling works: with sufficient information about a population and their behaviour, alongside information about the characteristics of a disease, it is possible to project potential future outcomes and put mitigation policies in place to limit the spread.

This project inverts that logic by using the best knowledge of late medieval society to project plausible pathological pasts and determine the most likely way the disease spread. Drawing on historical and archaeological sources, the model reconstructs the broad characteristics of the late medieval population on the eve of the Black Death, such as location, age, sex, and occupation. This forms the “static” part of the model. From there, the team infers “dynamic” behavioural patterns, such as where people spent their time and whom they encountered in their daily lives. 

The primary objectives are to establish how the Black Death spread, the likely means of its transmission, and what this reveals about social connections in medieval society. The model can test for multiple modes of transmission: one direct, through human-to-human contact, where either infected fleas from carriers are transferred to uninfected people, or where close contact allows transmission through coughing; and one indirect, where infected fleas remain at a place and establish a “disease reservoir.”

Through this work, the project aims to shed new light on the disease itself and the extent to which it was spread by human interactions, as well as on the social connectivity of late medieval society by identifying how people likely interacted with one another during one of the worst pandemics in global history.

 

To find out more about the project please visit: https://modellingtheblackdeath.wordpress.com

 

Participants in the conversation:

Dr Alex Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, Durham University

Dr Grace Owen, Postdoctoral Research Associate, History, Durham University

Barney Sloane FSA, Independent Researcher, Oxfordshire

Prof Frank Krauss, Professor for Particle Theory, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham University

Professor Ifan Hughes, Head of the Quantum Light and Matter research group, Physics, Durham University

Callum M. Brown. MPhys, Research Assistant for the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham University

Dr Martha Correa-Delval, Research Software Engineer, Durham University

]]> Science and the Humanities: Modelling the Black Death Durham University 00:37:13 In this episode, we bring together a remarkable team of historians, physicists and archaeologists who are working on a groundbreaking project at Durham University. By combining archival research, archaeological evidence, and advanced computer simulation techniques they have created the JUNE model to simulate how the Black Death swept through medieval England. This free-flowing conversation explores the challenges of interpreting historical records, the contrasting research cultures of science and the humanities, and the transformative outcomes of their interdisciplinary work. In this episode, we bring together a remarkable team of historians, physicists and archaeologists who are working on a groundbreaking project at Durham University. By combining archival research, archaeological evidence, and advanced computer simulation techniques they have created the JUNE model to simulate how the Black Death swept through medieval England. This free-flowing conversation explores the challenges of interpreting historical records, the contrasting research cultures of science and the humanities, and the transformative outcomes of their interdisciplinary work. false full 1 2 157b1af2-6d13-4f77-a104-80667483fa67 Coal Stories: Exploring Durham’s Hidden Mining Past with Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell A map of the full Coal Stories route can be found here. 

For the podcast we walked from Market Place (13 on map)) past St Mary-le-Bow Church (1) and down to the coal seam (2).

You can find the guide at the following shops:

  • Palace Green Library shop
  • Durham Cathedral shop
  • Beamish Museum Shop

Or you can email durhamminingmuseumsecretary@gmail.com to request a copy of the book.

]]> Mon, 4 Aug 2025 14:53:59 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/coal-stories-exploring-durhams-hidden-mining-past-with-dr-adrian-green-and-sandra-bell-Ah4YwejK A map of the full Coal Stories route can be found here. 

For the podcast we walked from Market Place (13 on map)) past St Mary-le-Bow Church (1) and down to the coal seam (2).

You can find the guide at the following shops:

  • Palace Green Library shop
  • Durham Cathedral shop
  • Beamish Museum Shop

Or you can email durhamminingmuseumsecretary@gmail.com to request a copy of the book.

]]> Coal Stories: Exploring Durham’s Hidden Mining Past with Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell Durham University 00:25:31 In this episode we are joined by Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell Adrian is Associate Professor Early Modern British and American History and Sandra is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Together they have written Coal Stories: An illustrated trail guide through Durham City’s industrial and coal mining past. We take a walk along part of the trail from Durham Market Place, along Sadler Street, up North Bailey and across Prebends Bridge to a coal seam by the River Wear. Along the route, they reveal how coal wealth shaped the city’s streets, from hidden collieries and the iconic viaduct to the social history of miners’ homes, courts, and community activism. It’s a journey that uncovers the overlooked story of how a cathedral city became a coal city. A map showing our route can be found in the episode notes. In this episode we are joined by Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell Adrian is Associate Professor Early Modern British and American History and Sandra is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Together they have written Coal Stories: An illustrated trail guide through Durham City’s industrial and coal mining past. We take a walk along part of the trail from Durham Market Place, along Sadler Street, up North Bailey and across Prebends Bridge to a coal seam by the River Wear. Along the route, they reveal how coal wealth shaped the city’s streets, from hidden collieries and the iconic viaduct to the social history of miners’ homes, courts, and community activism. It’s a journey that uncovers the overlooked story of how a cathedral city became a coal city. A map showing our route can be found in the episode notes. false full 10 1 19bace95-044c-405a-bfeb-94364d352fd1 VR, AI & Empathy: Rethinking English with Dr. Alistair Brown Fri, 23 May 2025 13:15:13 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Dr. Alistair Brown, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/vr-ai-empathy-rethinking-english-with-dr-alistair-brown-R6DrTPD7 VR, AI & Empathy: Rethinking English with Dr. Alistair Brown Dr. Alistair Brown, Alan Fentiman 00:24:36 In this episode of Talking Humanities, Dr. Alistair Brown, Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities and Modern Literature at Durham University, discusses the importance of studying English in today’s world. Walking along the River Wear, he explains how English fosters empathy and story craft—skills crucial not only to personal development but also to modern industries like tech, where understanding human narratives is vital. Dr. Brown introduces the English Creates campaign, aimed at reversing declining enrolments by highlighting the value and versatility of English degrees. He also explores how Artificial Intelligence challenges traditional English pedagogy and stresses the importance of critical thinking to navigate AI’s limitations. The conversation extends into virtual reality and gamification in literature education through his “VR Literature Library” project, making classic texts immersive and emotionally engaging for younger learners. Throughout, Dr. Brown advocates for a “transformative humanities” approach—honouring traditional skills while adapting them for digital futures, including video game storytelling and the creative industries. In this episode of Talking Humanities, Dr. Alistair Brown, Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities and Modern Literature at Durham University, discusses the importance of studying English in today’s world. Walking along the River Wear, he explains how English fosters empathy and story craft—skills crucial not only to personal development but also to modern industries like tech, where understanding human narratives is vital. Dr. Brown introduces the English Creates campaign, aimed at reversing declining enrolments by highlighting the value and versatility of English degrees. He also explores how Artificial Intelligence challenges traditional English pedagogy and stresses the importance of critical thinking to navigate AI’s limitations. The conversation extends into virtual reality and gamification in literature education through his “VR Literature Library” project, making classic texts immersive and emotionally engaging for younger learners. Throughout, Dr. Brown advocates for a “transformative humanities” approach—honouring traditional skills while adapting them for digital futures, including video game storytelling and the creative industries. humanitiespodcast, talkinghumanities, educationinnovation, aiineducation, vrineducation, empathyskills, englishcreates, digitalhumanities, durhamuniversity false full 9 1 214f7300-7154-410a-8749-c2b090074ba9 Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut, Professor Simon James and Stuart Burnside Fri, 23 May 2025 11:01:16 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/durham-university-and-the-bfi-dr-ladan-cockshut-professor-simon-james-and-stuart-burnside-M_T3H2yV Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut, Professor Simon James and Stuart Burnside Durham University 00:30:18 Welcome to our final podcast from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode we join Dr Ladan Cockshut and Professor Simon James from Durham University in conversation with Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British film Institute. Their discussion centres on the legitimisation of gaming research and its connection to science fiction. It also addresses the loss of gaming heritage due to redundant technology and the study of gaming through interdisciplinary scholarship. Welcome to our final podcast from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode we join Dr Ladan Cockshut and Professor Simon James from Durham University in conversation with Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British film Institute. Their discussion centres on the legitimisation of gaming research and its connection to science fiction. It also addresses the loss of gaming heritage due to redundant technology and the study of gaming through interdisciplinary scholarship. false full 8 1 441f0062-5948-49a9-b49d-8162de46d4fc Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut with Stuart Burnside Visit the Transformative Humanities website.

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:57:53 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Dr Ladan Cockshut, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/durham-university-and-the-bfi-dr-ladan-cockshut-with-stuart-burnside-1vYtYYrU Visit the Transformative Humanities website.

]]> Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut with Stuart Burnside Dr Ladan Cockshut, Alan Fentiman 00:42:04 Welcome to the third of our podcasts from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode, we join Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British Film Institute and Dr Ladan Cockshut assistant professor for research culture in the Department for Modern Languages and Culture at Durham University. Stuart and Ladan discuss the establishment of game studies, film to video game adaptations, participatory games development, issues around archiving our games heritage, and how gaming can transform the way we think about culture and the humanities. Welcome to the third of our podcasts from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode, we join Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British Film Institute and Dr Ladan Cockshut assistant professor for research culture in the Department for Modern Languages and Culture at Durham University. Stuart and Ladan discuss the establishment of game studies, film to video game adaptations, participatory games development, issues around archiving our games heritage, and how gaming can transform the way we think about culture and the humanities. video games, humanities, durham university, the bfi, gaming false full 7 1 a2a0a2d7-f3f5-44bf-b0ad-7c84642327ca Durham University and the BFI - Professor Simon James with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington Thu, 5 Dec 2024 14:10:55 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/durham-university-and-the-bfi-professor-simon-james-with-senior-librarian-katie-reddington-_YQPcmsn Durham University and the BFI - Professor Simon James with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington Durham University 00:20:59 This is the second in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and is a discussion between the BFI Reuben Library’s Senior Librarian Katie Reddington and Professor Simon James. Simon James is Professor of Victorian Literature in the Department of English Studies. He has edited five H. G. Wells novels and six numbers of The Wellsian, the learned journal of the H. G. Wells Society, and written one book and several articles on Wells. Katie and Simon discuss Wells' love of libraries and books, his novel the Time Machine, transformative humanities, and Wells’ forays into the world of film. Katie also shares some of the BFI Reuben libraries wealth of resources that relates to Wells and his film work. This is the second in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and is a discussion between the BFI Reuben Library’s Senior Librarian Katie Reddington and Professor Simon James. Simon James is Professor of Victorian Literature in the Department of English Studies. He has edited five H. G. Wells novels and six numbers of The Wellsian, the learned journal of the H. G. Wells Society, and written one book and several articles on Wells. Katie and Simon discuss Wells' love of libraries and books, his novel the Time Machine, transformative humanities, and Wells’ forays into the world of film. Katie also shares some of the BFI Reuben libraries wealth of resources that relates to Wells and his film work. false full 6 1 21651647-2267-4700-b0ee-48451f9f67d5 Durham University and the BFI - Introducing the BFI Reuben Library with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington  

More information about Transformative Humanities

Find out more about the BFI

 

]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:38:06 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Katie Reddington, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/durham-university-and-the-bfi-introducing-the-bfi-reuben-library-with-senior-librarian-katie-reddington-Po4AxIU_  

More information about Transformative Humanities

Find out more about the BFI

 

]]> Durham University and the BFI - Introducing the BFI Reuben Library with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington Katie Reddington, Alan Fentiman 00:14:09 Since 2021, Durham has been working in partnership with the British Film Institute to make BFI Player available to all Durham University members. The partnership has delivered research events, skills workshops for academic staff and students, careers training, the Durham Film Festival, and community outreach activities.  This is the first in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and we begin with an introduction to The BFI Reuben Library which is situated at BFI Southbank in London. Our guest is Katie Reddington who is the senior Librarian. Since 2021, Durham has been working in partnership with the British Film Institute to make BFI Player available to all Durham University members. The partnership has delivered research events, skills workshops for academic staff and students, careers training, the Durham Film Festival, and community outreach activities.  This is the first in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and we begin with an introduction to The BFI Reuben Library which is situated at BFI Southbank in London. Our guest is Katie Reddington who is the senior Librarian. the bfi reuben library, bfi false full 5 1 845fe995-29da-4c38-8c86-3f83ca8ed2bb Accessing Classics - Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson  

Watch a short film from Durham University produced by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson.

Classics in The North East: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTRtSzhuzZI&t=32s

]]> Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:08:38 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/accessing-classics-professor-arlene-holmes-henderson-8OdwmYEl  

Watch a short film from Durham University produced by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson.

Classics in The North East: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTRtSzhuzZI&t=32s

]]> Accessing Classics - Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson Durham University 00:17:46 In this episode, we are joined by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson. Arlene is Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University. After studying Classics at Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge, Arlene qualified as a schoolteacher and taught in high schools for over a decade before returning to academia. We talk about how classics education is beginning to thrive again and the fascinating projects Arlene has been involved with to make this happen. We discuss the many advantages of studying classics, her work with policymakers and making a stand against attacks on the value of the arts and humanities. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson. Arlene is Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University. After studying Classics at Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge, Arlene qualified as a schoolteacher and taught in high schools for over a decade before returning to academia. We talk about how classics education is beginning to thrive again and the fascinating projects Arlene has been involved with to make this happen. We discuss the many advantages of studying classics, her work with policymakers and making a stand against attacks on the value of the arts and humanities. false full 4 1 b3b56838-415b-431c-8533-4628d5974b91 Our Natural Heritage: An Interdisciplinary Conversation - Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani Read about Margaret Bradshaw's Honorary Degree from Durham University.

Read more about Transformative Humanities at Durham University.

 

]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Professor Bob Baxter, Dr Simona Capisani, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/our-natural-heritage-professor-bob-baxter-and-dr-simona-capisani-MFTt3EbQ Read about Margaret Bradshaw's Honorary Degree from Durham University.

Read more about Transformative Humanities at Durham University.

 

]]> Our Natural Heritage: An Interdisciplinary Conversation - Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani Professor Bob Baxter, Dr Simona Capisani, Alan Fentiman 00:30:09 In this episode we visit upper Teesdale in County Durham with Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani. Bob is from the Bio Sciences Department at Durham University and has a long interest in climate change and its impact on plants. Simona is an assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy and has interests in climate justice and issues around environmental philosophy and conservation ethics. We talk about this unique area of outstanding natural beauty and the work of Botanist Margaret Bradshaw, who has dedicated her life to studying it. In 2023, at the age of 97, Margaret published her first book: Teesdale's Special Flora: Places, Plants and People.” Bob and Simona reflect on the impact of Margaret’s work and discuss interdisciplinary approaches to tackling climate change. In this episode we visit upper Teesdale in County Durham with Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani. Bob is from the Bio Sciences Department at Durham University and has a long interest in climate change and its impact on plants. Simona is an assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy and has interests in climate justice and issues around environmental philosophy and conservation ethics. We talk about this unique area of outstanding natural beauty and the work of Botanist Margaret Bradshaw, who has dedicated her life to studying it. In 2023, at the age of 97, Margaret published her first book: Teesdale's Special Flora: Places, Plants and People.” Bob and Simona reflect on the impact of Margaret’s work and discuss interdisciplinary approaches to tackling climate change. arts and humanities, durham university false full 3 1 8a2af17d-d403-441d-9739-6f877756e894 The Manner of Leaving - Dr Georgina Robinson Content warning: topics discussed in this episode include death, deaths during Covid and infant death. Listeners who may be sensitive to these topics, please take note.

]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:03:05 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Professor Giles Gasper, Dr Georgina Robinson, Alan Fentiman) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/the-manner-of-leaving-dr-georgina-robinson-2WTKwJqe Content warning: topics discussed in this episode include death, deaths during Covid and infant death. Listeners who may be sensitive to these topics, please take note.

]]> The Manner of Leaving - Dr Georgina Robinson Professor Giles Gasper, Dr Georgina Robinson, Alan Fentiman 00:17:56 Content warning: topics discussed in this episode include death, deaths during Covid and infant death. Listeners who may be sensitive to these topics, please take note. In this episode we visit South Road Cemetery in Durham with Dr Georgina Robinson. Georgina is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion and Centre for Death-Life Studies at Durham University, with research interests primarily grounded in the interdisciplinary field of death studies. Whilst 80% of British people choose cremation, Georgina has been researching alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. On our walk through the cemetery which offers traditional burial, cremation and woodland burial we talked about death taboo, death style, water cremation her fascinating work with funeral directors during COVID and the inevitable— emergence of digital death and our online legacy. Content warning: topics discussed in this episode include death, deaths during Covid and infant death. Listeners who may be sensitive to these topics, please take note. In this episode we visit South Road Cemetery in Durham with Dr Georgina Robinson. Georgina is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion and Centre for Death-Life Studies at Durham University, with research interests primarily grounded in the interdisciplinary field of death studies. Whilst 80% of British people choose cremation, Georgina has been researching alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. On our walk through the cemetery which offers traditional burial, cremation and woodland burial we talked about death taboo, death style, water cremation her fascinating work with funeral directors during COVID and the inevitable— emergence of digital death and our online legacy. alkaline hydrolysis, durham university, death studies, aquamation true full 2 1 478765c3-474a-49d8-8841-c9bca832a891 Medieval Science - Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner Thu, 30 May 2024 11:12:56 +0000 artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk (Durham University) https://talking-humanities.simplecast.com/episodes/medieval-science-professor-giles-gasper-and-professor-brian-tanner-KmsOZTco Medieval Science - Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner Durham University 00:25:08 In this episode we are in Durham with Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner. Giles is Professor in High Medieval History specialising in the intellectual history of the high middle ages and particularly in the development of theology. Brian is an Emiritus professor in the department of physics. They are both member of the interdisciplinary Ordered Universe project which studies the scientific works of the 13th century polymath, Robert Grosseteste. They talk about how they met through the Ordered Universe and how their work in humanities and the sciences became intertwined. They discuss the unexpected discoveries and co-authored publications which came from the project, engaging with artists and young people as well as offering advice on setting up large-scale research projects. In this episode we are in Durham with Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner. Giles is Professor in High Medieval History specialising in the intellectual history of the high middle ages and particularly in the development of theology. Brian is an Emiritus professor in the department of physics. They are both member of the interdisciplinary Ordered Universe project which studies the scientific works of the 13th century polymath, Robert Grosseteste. They talk about how they met through the Ordered Universe and how their work in humanities and the sciences became intertwined. They discuss the unexpected discoveries and co-authored publications which came from the project, engaging with artists and young people as well as offering advice on setting up large-scale research projects. false full 1 1