University of Warwick Podcasts
Warwick Podcasts are available as a downloadable MP3 file or can be accessed directly from this page. You can also subscribe through a number of podcast directories to get Warwick Podcasts direct to your computer and MP3 player.
Persistence in Economic and Political Institutions
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Most research in political economy starts with the presumption that institutions persist and shape the political-economic interactions of different groups and agents. Many societies, however, experience frequent changes in their political institutions. Certain economic institutions also change. In the face of this picture of frequently changing institutions, do such institutions really persist? Professor James Robinson, Harvard University, discusses the nature of institutional persistence and examines the mechanisms whereby elite minorities are able to manage the distribution of economic and political authority. Length: 20 mins
(MP3 format, 18 MB)
Predicting a World Cup Winner - into the knockout stages
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Following on from our previous World Cup discussion with Henry Stott of Warwick's Psychology Deparment and Decision Technology, we examine how the tournament predictions have performed so far and look forward to the knockout phase of the tournament. Who has performed better than predicted? Who are the underperformers and are Brazil still favourites to lift the trophy. Have the England performances affected our chances of winning the tournament and what is the impact of the injury to Michael Owen. Does it really matter what formation Sven picks? Length: 9 mins
(MP3 format, 8.9 MB)
Problems in French Politics
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
France seems to be undergoing a period of intense political instability. Dramatic images of demonstrations and riots on the street parallel rumours and scandal in the corridors of power. To what extent do the current events represent a real upheaval in the French political environment and what is the likely impact on the forthcoming Presidential elections? Ben Clift is a Senior Lecturer in Warwick's Department of Politics and International Studies and is an expert on the politics of France. Length: 22 mins
(MP3 format, 21 MB)
Providing for Gifted and Talented Youth
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
The announcement of a national register of gifted and talented pupils has raised questions over how we provide for the most able children. Commentators have raised concerns over elitism, how we select people for the register and even whether this is the most effective approach to dealing with gifted provision in schools. Professor Deborah Eyre is the Director of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, based at the University of Warwick. NAGTY is tasked with identifying the top 5% performers in our schools and supporting teachers in providing the resources and opportunities to enable students to reach their full potential. In this interview Professor Eyre describes the benefits that membership of NAGTY and the register can bring and how the work of the Academy is helping students to achieve academic success. Length: 19 minutes
(MP3 format, 18 MB)
Responding to Water Scarcity
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Growers in the UK are having to get used to managing with less water. Changing climate patterns mean that techniques long established in Southern Europe are now being adapted for use further north. Dr Jim Monaghan (Harper Adams University College) is leading research at Warwick HRI on Dynamic Fertigation, an irrigation system that not only saves water and fertilizer but also automatically respond to five day weather forecasts. Length: 15 minutes
(MP3 format, 14 MB)
Tackling Diabetes and Obesity in the UK's South Asian Communities
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Recent research has highlighted the problems of growing rates of diabetes and obesity in the UK's South Asian communities. A number of factors, including diet, lifestyle and genetics, means that there is increased exposure to these conditions and the associated risk of heart disease, strokes and other problems. Researchers at the University of Warwick have been working closely with South Asian communities in Leamington Spa and Coventry to develop strategies for tackling the obesity time bomb. Working with community groups, restaurants and local retailers the researchers are encouraging healthier lifestyles and new approaches to diet and exercise. Professor Sudhesh Kumar is a Professor of Medicine, Diabetes and Metabolism at the Warwick Medical School. Professor Kumar works with a multi-disciplinary research team including basic scientists and clinicians to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of obesity and its metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Length: 16 Minutes
(MP3 format, 15 MB)
Technology Matters - making choices about the tools we use.
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Why does technology matter? How often do we thing about the implications of our choices of one tool over another? What were the decisions that brought us to our current technological world? In his new book Technology Matters, Professor David Nye of Warwick's School of Comparative American Studies poses a series of questions challenging us to think a little deeper about the tools and technology surrounding us. From the use (or non-use) of the wheel in North Africa to IMAX theatres at the Grand Canyon, Professor Nye asks how the relationship between us and technology shapes our history and our future? Professor David Nye was recently awarded the 2005 Leonardo Da Vinci Medal presented by the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT). The medal is the highest recognition from the Society for the History of Technology and is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the history of technology, through research, teaching, publications, and other activities.
(MP3 format, 21 MB)
The Experience of Muslims in British and French Prisons
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
According to new research there is a significant difference in the way that the British and French prison systems treat Muslim prisoners. Taking the prison experience as a microcosm of both French and British society, Professor Joly explores the issues of national identity, multiculturalism and ethnic or regligous tensions within both countries and how the state has responded to the challenges. Touching on the recent riots across France, Professor Joly raises serious concers about the ability of the French Government to respond effectively to the crisis and questions some of the fundamental assumptions about what it is to be French. Professor Danièle Joly is a Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations at the University of Warwick and has published on Muslim populations in Britain, on ethnic relations and on refugees. Length: 21 minutes
(MP3 format, 20 MB)
The Future for Business Schools
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
How relevant are business schools for today's managers and companies? How can schools provide practical support for industry whilst maintaining standards of academic rigour in their research. Are business schools effective in managing the demands of students, government, business and the research sector? The University of Warwick recently hosted a Future of Business School Forum which explored how the business school model needs to develop to meet the demands of the business and academic worlds. We invited two of the speakers, Professor Jone Pearce and Professor Ken Starkey, to discuss the future for business schools. Professor Starkey is Professor of Management & Organisational Learning at Nottingham University Business School. Professor Joan Pearce is Professor of Organization & Strategy at The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine. Length: 18 minutes
(MP3 format, 17 MB)
The Science of Discworld - Professor Ian Stewart
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
The Science of Discworld series weaves together a Discworld story by Terry Pratchett which examines what happens when wizards meddle with history in a battle against the elves for the future of humanity, with scientific commentary by two University of Warwick researchers (mathematician and chaos theory expert Professor Ian Stewart and reproductive Biologist Dr Jack Cohen) on the evolution and development of the human mind, culture, language, art, and science. Professor Ian Stewart is a member of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Warwick, but is also an honorary Wizard of the Unseen University. In our current podcast, Professor Stewart discusses the history of the Science of the Discworld books and explains why a leading mathematician is dabbling in the world of magic and fantasy. Length: 16 minutes
(MP3 format, 15 MB)
Translating Orhan Pamuk
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Maureen Freely discusses her work translating the books of Orhan Pamuk and how his work reflects on the political situation in Turkey. Length: 22 minutes
(MP3 format, 20 MB)
Trends in Football Management - Managerial Dismissals and the Impact on the Game.
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
New research by Dr Sue Bridgewater from Warwick Business School has revealed that over 500 managers from the four top English divisions have been dismissed from their post since 1992 bringing damaging instability to the game. However she also outlines how a new professionalism in the post of manager is already achieving results on the pitch and could thus help managers stay post longer. Dr Bridgewater looked at the 678 managerial changes in the four football leagues from August 1992 to December 2005. During that period she found 94 were still in post, 48 resigned for personal, advancement or other reasons but a staggering 536 of those managers were dismissed from their post. These changes of management have involved 360 different managers. Dr Bridgewater is a Lecturer in Marketing & Strategy at Warwick Business School. Length: 17 minutes
(MP3 format, 16 MB)
Understanding the Iranian Nuclear Crisis
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Tension between Iran and the international community is increasing with negotiations over Iran's nuclear capability at the heart of a growing diplomatic crisis. With the likely recommdendation that Iran be referred to the UN Security Council for supposed breaches of its nuclear obligations the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the outcomes of this latest confrontation. The current crisis is the culmination of years of Iranian nuclear development and diplomatic efforts on the part of the EU, the US and the UN. The history of the crisis and its implications for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty are complex and go to the heart of the future ability of the international community to regulate and monitor nuclear activity. Dr Daniel Joyner is a Lecturer in International Law at the Warwick Law School. Dr Joyner is an expert in public international law in the security context, with particular interest in the area of proliferation studies, including non-proliferation treaties and regimes, issues of international trade and export control law, use of force law, and international legal theory. Length: 23 minutes
(MP3 format, 21 MB)
Wanton Nights and Riotous Feasts
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Drunkeness, celebrity gossip, murder and the sex lives of politicians and royalty - commentators in the early modern period were just as concerned about these issues as their contemporary counterparts. A new conference at the University of Warwick, "Wanton nights and riotous feasts": Early Modern Representations of Virtue and Vice, will examine how these concerns were expressed and the role that Vice and Virtue had in shaping people's lives and the politics and society of the time. Rebecca Hayes is a Postgraduate student of the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies. Rebecca will be presenting a paper at the conference on Women and Seventeenth Century English Pornography. Length: 15 minutes
(MP3 format, 14 MB)
Wearing the veil
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Professor Daniele Joly discusses the controversy surrounding Jack Straw's comments about Muslim women wearing the veil. Length: 21 minutes
(MP3 format, 19 MB)
What chance for peace in Sri Lanka?
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
The recent resumption of violence in Sri Lanka between the Tamil Tigers and Government forces has set back hopes that a peaceful settlement could be established in this long running conflict. Miranda Alison of Warwick's Department of Politics and International Studies provides an insight into the history of the conflict and examines whether a resolution is likely in the near future. Length: 23 minutes
(MP3 format, 21 MB)
World Cup Special - David Beckham and footballing icons
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Dr Andrew Parker discusses the role of the World Cup in producing sporting icons and talks about the case of David Beckham's transition from national disgrace to international superstar. Length: 17 min
(MP3 format, 16 MB)
World Cup Special - How to predict a world cup winner
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
After analysing the outcomes of 4500 international games Henry Stott gives his guide to the likely World Cup champions. Length: 11 mins
(MP3 format, 10 MB)
World Cup Special - The development of English managers
16:07, Tue 24 Oct 2006
Dr Sue Bridgewater talks about a programme to professionalise the role of Football Manager and looks at the future for the national job. Length: 12 min
(MP3 format, 11 MB)
For more information on Warwick Podcasts contact Emily Little:
E.Little@warwick.ac.uk / 024 76575329
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