The "Spark" Podcast
This project sets out to create a podcast to connect with and inspire reflection for a young audience on topics related to current societal challenges explored through a transdisciplinary view and with perspectives from science and society.
Project group
Current members
Pamela Delgado (Co-Speaker)
Alexandre Bovet (Co-Speaker)
Gustavo Ruiz Buendia
Nawal Kinany
Former members
Fanny Georgi
Aimée Zermatten
Luis-Velasco Pufleau
Elisa Araldi
BinBin Pearce
Background
This project is a continuation of the project “Fostering Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Change” (2021-2022) and “Fostering Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Change - The Podcast” (2023). Transdisciplinary research is a mode of collaborative, interdisciplinary knowledge production aimed at contributing to confronting real-world problems. An important concept that emerged from the first project was to explore storytelling as a way to nurture public engagement with science and transdisciplinary research. Podcasts represent an appealing medium for scientific communication, allowing for the creation of emotional connections between scientists and the public.
In light of numerous major global challenges, such as climate change or artificial intelligence, the project group is keen to give young people in particular a perspective in which they can explore science as a way of contributing to problem-solving and to inspire them to pursue a career in transdisciplinary science. It is against this background that the project is developing the podcast ‘Spark - Stories from Advocates for Global Change’. The podcast features thought-provoking, student-led interviews with a diverse array of academic and non-academic experts from Switzerland and beyond.
Objectives
By connecting young listeners with the stories behind the research, this podcast aims to
offer young listeners (aged 16-23) an accessible entry point into the world of transdisciplinary research and showcase how collaboration across disciplines is essential to solving complex real-world problems.
Highlight how careers in science can take many shapes and offer insights into the diverse paths within these scientific fields.
inspires young people to seek a path in science that addresses the solution of societal challenges and to foster public engagement with science.
Activities
The project develops the English-language podcast “Spark. Stories from Advocates for Global Change” together with a professional podcast production company. Three episodes will be published for each of the topics: climate change, AI, the influence of social media on democracy, and human rights.
