Using Academic Research to Make Sense of the News Cycle

How can a podcast use academic research to help us make sense of today’s news?

Neil and Jen talk with Gemma Ware, head of audio at The Conversation UK and host/co-producer of The Conversation Weekly, about how the show brings academic expertise into the news cycle through narrative-produced audio. Gemma shares how The Conversation pairs academic rigour with journalistic flair, helping researchers explain complex ideas in a way that’s clear, accessible, and useful for a general audience.

The conversation also digs into the craft behind the show: structuring episodes around the question “How did we get here?”, working with academics on mic, sustaining a weekly production schedule, and thinking strategically about multimedia, video, and discoverability. It’s a thoughtful look at how higher ed podcasters can translate expertise into stories that help listeners better understand the world around them.

Episode Links:

The Conversation WeeklyThe ConversationGemma Ware ProfileConnect with Us:

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction

(02:59) - What is The Conversation?

(04:45) - The Editing Process

(06:07) - From The Anthill to The Conversation Weekly

(10:08) - The “How did we get here?” structure