Kuuntele Exploring Global Problems

In this episode, in discussion with Elin Rhys, Dr Rhian Meara, Senior Lecturer in Geography discusses the eruption of the Eldfell volcano in 1973, on the island of Heimaey, Iceland. The eruption itself is famous as the small town was saved by spraying cold sea water onto approaching lavas.Although the story of the eruption is well-known to many, the stark realities of life during this unexpected eruption and the on-going impacts 50 years on are often not widely discussed. Interviews, surveys, archival research and field work have allowed some of these stories to be shared, often for the first time in English. Understanding these long-term impacts is essential, not only to support the residents of Heimaey, but also to support others in similar situations such as the residents of Grindavík, south Iceland, who have been driven from their homes after volcanic activity began near the town after an 800 year hiatus.

Yn y bennod hon, mewn trafodaeth ag Elin Rhys, mae Dr Rhian Meara, Uwch-ddarlithydd Daearyddiaeth, yn trafod echdoriad llosgfynydd Eldfell ym 1973 ar Ynys Heimaey, Gwlad yr Iâ. Mae'r echdoriad ei hun yn enwog oherwydd achubwyd y dref fach drwy chwistrellu dŵr oer y môr ar y lafâu wrth iddynt nesáu.   Er bod hanes y echdoriad yn adnabyddus i lawer o bobl, nid yw gwirioneddau llym bywyd yn ystod y echdoriad annisgwyl hwn, na'r effeithiau parhaus 50 mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, yn cael eu trafod yn eang. Mae cyfweliadau, arolygon, ymchwil archifol a gwaith maes wedi caniatáu i rai o'r straeon hyn gael eu rhannu, yn aml am y tro cyntaf yn Saesneg. Mae'n hanfodol deall yr effeithiau hirdymor hyn er mwyn cefnogi trigolion Heimaey ond hefyd er mwyn cefnogi pobl eraill sydd mewn sefyllfaoedd tebyg, megis trigolion Grindavík, yn ne Gwlad yr Iâ, sydd wedi gorfod ffoi o'u cartrefi ar ôl i weithgarwch folcanig ddechrau'n agos at y dref ar ôl bwlch o 800 o flynyddoedd.

Dr Gulzat Botoeva takes listeners on a journey into the intricate socio-economic landscape of small-scale gold mining in Kyrgyzstan's Naryn region, exploring local communities' involvement in protests against and in support of official mining companies.   Through insightful research and analysis, Dr. Botoeva uncovers the broader socio-economic conditions that shape individuals' stances towards gold mining, beyond mere criminality or economic opportunism. By hearing the stories and perspectives of various stakeholders, including former illegal miners, villagers dependent on mining-related benefits, and workers at official mines, Dr Botoeva discloses the diverse array of interests and concerns at play.

The debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender and Difference in Sex Development (DSD) athletes in the female category has sparked significant controversy, particularly in elite sport and considering factors like inherent advantage and biological differences. So to maintain fair competition should we retain sex-based categorisations or adopt more inclusivity focused policies? In this episode, host Dr Sam Blaxland and Dr Shane Heffernan, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering talk about how we can openly discuss these complex issues. Dr Heffernan talks about the DATES project (The DSD and Transgender Elite Sports Study), which examines eligibility criteria in elite sports from the perspective of athlete opinions. Dr Heffernan also discusses the OMNIPLaNT study (Omnivorous & Non-meat eater Integrative PhysioLogy and NutriTion), which is investigating the impact of plant-based diets on human physiology, including muscle, bone, cardiovascular health, and exercise performance.

Wales has a long history of welcoming those fleeing persecution. It is estimated that there are 10,000 refugees in Wales, which is about 0.3% of the population. Barriers to accessing healthcare can arise from immigration status. It is important to understand the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. As defined by Amnesty International, ‘an asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn't yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim’. In this podcast episode, Dr Ashra Khanom talks about her work which aims to address the needs of people seeking sanctuary, including how they access healthcare services.