Notts Psych Pod
Notts Psych Pod is a podcast from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Each series explores how psychology connects with real-world issues. It brings together researchers, community partners, and people with lived experience. Topics include neurodiversity, memory, ageing, and community engagement, highlighting research that aims to make a difference in people's lives and society.
Episodes
S3 EP5: When Does a Memory Become Conscious?
How does a memory become part of our conscious experience? In this episode, we explore cutting-edge research investigating what happens in the brain whenmemories come to mind. We discuss why memory retrieval may involve more than one stage, what brain activity can tell us about conscious awareness, and how this work could help improve future treatments for memory disorders. We are joined by Univer
S3 EP4: Can We Keep Our Brains Healthy as We Age?
Can we support memory as we age? In this episode, we explore how researchers are using cutting-edge brain stimulation and imaging techniques to better understand how memory changes across the lifespan. We discuss the science behind healthy cognitive ageing, why people respond differently to brain stimulation, and how personalised approaches could one day help maintain memory and brain health. We a
S3 EP3: Is More Brain Activity Always Better for Memory?
When it comes to the brain, more activity isn't always better. In this episode, we explore why healthy memory depends on a careful balance between brain activity and inhibition, and how this research could help us better understand memory problems associated with conditions such as schizophrenia and age-related cognitive decline. We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers, Dr Tobias Bas
S3 EP2: Why Getting Older Doesn't Mean Forgetting More
What really happens to our memory as we get older? Although ageing is often associated with memory decline, the story is much more positive - and more surprising - than many people realise. In this episode, we explore how our brains combine information from different senses, why older adults can remember important health information just as well as younger adults, and what this tells us about heal
S3 EP1: Can You Train a Child's Cognition?
Can educational apps really help children learn, or are they simply another form of screen time? In this episode, we explore the science of digital learning, cognitive training, and the home learning environment. We discuss what researchers have discovered about using apps to support children's literacy, numeracy, memory, and attention, and why parents may need better tools to identify genuine
Trailer to Series 3: Memory and Ageing
Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series brought to you by the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In Series 3, we’re diving into some of the biggest questions in psychology and neuroscience - from children’s learning and digital technology to healthy ageing, memory, brain stimulation, and the science of consciousness.Each episode features psychologists, neuroscientists, and researche
S2 EP5: The Power of Art to Encourage Blood Donation in Black Communities
This episode focuses on a project that encourages blood donation within Black communities, where University of Nottingham researchers work with Action on Blood. As part of the project, videos were produced with the communities to inspire people to donate blood. This unique, arts-based approach has been very effective at increasing blood donation. We are joined by University of Nottingham researche
S2 EP4: Bringing Science to Kids: The Scouting and Guiding Initiative
This episode focuses on the Scouting and Guiding Initiative – or SAGI. SAGI is a group of researchers at the University of Nottingham who aim to inspire the next generation of scientists. SAGI organise fun sessions all about science and how the brain works at Scouting, Girl Guiding and Boys Brigade groups. We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers, Dr Lee Parkin and Dr Nikki Dean Mars
S2 EP3: How Does Psychosis Affect Thinking? Inside the EPIC Project
This episode focuses on a Wellcome Trust funded project called EPIC – or otherwise known as Early Psychosis: Investigating Cognition. Problems with memory and attention affect a large proportion of people with psychosis. However, much of the focus is on “positive” symptoms like hallucinations. The EPIC project aims to fill this gap by understanding the changes in memory and attention in daily life
S2 EP2: What Really Happens During the Menopause
This episode focuses on a research programme which explores what happens to the mind as we navigate one of life’s major transitions, the menopause. Such a transition is under-researched, despite affecting half the population. Here, we dive into the science of attention, memory and hormones, and hear from researchers about how cognitive performance is affected across the stages of menopause. We ar
S2 EP1: Are Fairies Real - and Does God Eat? Inside the Developing Belief Network
Are fairies real - and does God eat? This episode focuses on the Developing Belief Network, a cross-cultural research network involving 19 countries where questions like these have been asked of children to explore the development and diversity of cognition. We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers Dr Emily Burdett and Joanna Stephens. Here are some of the resources discussed in the
Trailer to Series 2: Working with Communities at the University of Nottingham
Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series brought to you by the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In our second series, we are exploring what it means to work with communities.Each episode features diverse voices and showcases how researchers in the School of Psychology engage with various groups. Alongside researchers, guests also include students, project partners, and individuals
S1 EP5: Consequences of Societal Exclusion: Mental Health and Autism
This episode focuses on the mental health difficulties that autistic people commonly experience (including self-harm, suicide, PTSD, and trauma). We also discuss autistic people’s experiences of mental health services and isolation and exclusion from society. We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers Dr Sarah Cassidy and Victoria Newell, alongside Jon, an autistic researcher at the Un
S1 EP4 Improving Neurodivergent People’s Access to Care
This episode focuses on the barriers that neurodivergent people experience when accessing healthcare, with a focus on ADHD and Tourette Syndrome. We discuss the importance of ensuring support is accessible for neurodivergent people.We are joined by the University of Nottingham researchers Dr Blandine French and Dr Maddie Groom, alongside Mat, who shares his experiences of getting an ADHD diagnosis
S1 EP3: Learning to Drive: Challenges for Autistic People
This episode focuses on autism and driving. We discuss why it is important for driving instructors to understand and recognise autism. We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Dr Lizzy Sheppard, Dr Julia Malkin MBE, an autistic driving instructor who has over 18 years of experience training driving instructors on how to support neurodivergent learner drivers and Laurie, an autistic per
S1 EP2: Improving Neuroinclusivity in Policing
This episode focuses on improving inclusivity for neurodivergent people in policing. We discuss why it is important for police officers to understand and recognise autism. We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Prof Danielle Ropar and Gail, a Learning and Development Officer for Nottinghamshire Police, who shares her opinions of the training provided by Prof Ropar and the team.To com
S1 EP1: Making Workplaces Neuroinclusive
This episode focuses on how we can make workplaces more inclusive for neurodivergent people, where we discuss the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiversity at work. We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Dr Lauren Marsh and Ali, a dyslexic research technician, who shares his experiences and opinions on the research. To complement this episode, we have written a s
Trailer to Series 1: Neurodiversity Research at the University of Nottingham
Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In our first series, we spotlight neurodiversity research conducted at the University.Each episode features researchers discussing their cutting-edge work on the societal barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals, the consequences of these barriers, and how their research aims to create a more inc
