Adchaya Apputhurai: A sparkling problem in our aquatic environments - a study on glitter pollution.

Ronnie Lam: Analysing the intersection between music education and young people in care

We are joined by Ronnie Lam to discuss a fascinating research project "Analysing the intersection between music education and young people in care" along with many wider important issues. In this episode we address the important question "In What Ways Can Institutions Increase Access to Music for Looked After Children for Them to Have the Benefits of Music Education?" There is little research on the intersection between music education and young people in care. The barriers are individualistic to broad, with placement, support and funding being some examples, with impact from Progress 8 and the removal of the English Baccalaureate to current ongoing reforms in the children’s care system. Even though some music hubs and institutions are providing music provisions to young people in care, there are problems in knowledge of these provisions and relationships to the local authorities. Conducting interviews, looking at policy, statistics and quotes from people who are care-experienced, I display what current issues there are and what approaches we should take to bridge the gap. Guest: Ronnie Lam, BA Music Host: Prof Simon Kemp Producer & Editor: Jack Dinham Further reading: Biddulph, Max. ‘Failed by the System: The Views of Young Care Leavers on Their Educational Experiences, Barnardo’s Policy and Research Unit, and Supporting Children in Public Care in Schools. Pastoral Care in Education 24, no. 4 (2006): 49–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0122.2006.00390.x [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0122.2006.00390.x]. Bull, Anna. Class, Control, and Classical Music. Oxford University Press, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190844356.001.0001 [https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190844356.001.0001]. Carrie Wilson. ‘How I Am Fighting the Stereotypes of Looked after Children’. Social Care Network. The Guardian, 18 May 2012. https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2012/may/18/looked-after-children-care-system [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fsocial-care-network%2F2012%2Fmay%2F18%2Flooked-after-children-care-system&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643296413%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eU%2BY%2BKVE3Xg7FQltFPMprSw2Z5YCtaszUQrNhqhE%2Fic%3D&reserved=0]. Children’s Commissioner. The Big Ask - The Big Answer. September 2021, 58. Coles, Thomas. ‘Why Are Looked After Children Fixed Term Excluded from School? Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to Understand the Process’. Ed.D., University of Exeter, 2012. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1654741660/abstract/820815F28BDE4829PQ/1 [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fdocview%2F1654741660%2Fabstract%2F820815F28BDE4829PQ%2F1&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643335052%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3l5zHnzJgv3pcu%2FK7AFM%2FqwvKPH0tOKLPDqsdv58vDA%3D&reserved=0]. Frogley, Catherine, Mary John, Ruth Denton, and Dawn Querstret. ‘“They Don’t Meet the Stereotypes in the Boxes…”: Foster Carers’ and Clinicians’ Views on the Utility of Psychometric Tools in the Mental Health Assessment of Looked after Children’. Adoption & Fostering 43, no. 2 (2019): 119–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575919841752 [https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575919841752]. Gumble, Daniel. ‘Major Victory For Music Education as Government Scraps EBacc’. UK Music, 10 November 2025. https://www.ukmusic.org/news/major-victory-for-music-education-as-government-scraps-ebacc/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukmusic.org%2Fnews%2Fmajor-victory-for-music-education-as-government-scraps-ebacc%2F&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643359050%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7TW4QTcN0d34yJ3u%2BWe7MFT209%2F92vDQk1f9qSrlgZg%3D&reserved=0]. Hibbard, Shannan, and Erin Price. ‘Trauma: A Compassionate Lens for Music Teaching’. In The Oxford Handbook of Care in Music Education, OUP, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197611654.013.35 [https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197611654.013.35]. Hugman, Catriona. ‘Misrecognition or Recognition? A Critical Discussion of Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic’. Critical and Radical Social Work 13, no. 2 (2025): 214–30. https://doi.org/10.1332/20498608Y2024D000000067 [https://doi.org/10.1332/20498608Y2024D000000067]. Humphrey, Ryan David. ‘Music Making and the Potential Impact for Looked after Children’. MA, York St John University, 2018. https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/3539/1/Humphrey%20Ryan%20David%20Final%20Thesis.pdf [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fray.yorksj.ac.uk%2Fid%2Feprint%2F3539%2F1%2FHumphrey%2520Ryan%2520David%2520Final%2520Thesis.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643379888%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CffpvgVzZYoIDkj5lafTbdBfyesJhQ95kEt2FsHg8UU%3D&reserved=0]. Murris, Karin. ‘The Epistemic Challenge of Hearing Child’s Voice’. Studies in Philosophy and Education 32, no. 3 (2013): 245–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-012-9349-9 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-012-9349-9]. O’Donnell, Chloé, Rachel Sandford, and Andrew Parker. ‘Physical Education, School Sport and Looked-after-Children: Health, Wellbeing and Educational Engagement’. Sport, Education and Society 25, no. 6 (2020): 605–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2019.1628731 [https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2019.1628731]. ‘Rethinking “Bad Behavior” : A Compassionate Response to “Acting Out” in Music Education’. In Trauma and Resilience in Music Education. Routledge, 2021. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003124207-1 [https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003124207-1]. ‘Should Care Experience Be a Protected Characteristic?’ Children’s Commissioner for England, 26 October 2023. https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/should-care-experience-be-a-protected-characteristic/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk%2Fblog%2Fshould-care-experience-be-a-protected-characteristic%2F&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643400692%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Bl60yvqr0qNwB2cfPRAnTprZgg06FKLT4HDOTlz1jc8%3D&reserved=0]. Terry Galloway. ‘Latest List of Councils to Have Passed the Protected Characteristics Motion for Care Experienced People’. 17 September 2025. https://www.careleaveroffer.co.uk/blog_articles/5277-latest-list-of-councils-to-have-passed-the-protected-characteristics-motion-for-care-experienced-people [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.careleaveroffer.co.uk%2Fblog_articles%2F5277-latest-list-of-councils-to-have-passed-the-protected-characteristics-motion-for-care-experienced-people&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643425273%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=p4wRMAW8Srvw5onK0wvEsuY024Ilb0ms2XXp01BfbDg%3D&reserved=0]. Terry Galloway. Letter to Housing Minister Regarding Discrimination in the Planning System. n.d. Accessed 30 April 2026. https://www.careleaveroffer.co.uk/blog_articles/4125-letter-to-housing-minister-regarding-discrimination-in-the-planning-system [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.careleaveroffer.co.uk%2Fblog_articles%2F4125-letter-to-housing-minister-regarding-discrimination-in-the-planning-system&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643448469%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OuTJfP0Q2yYJjaTXVmilt037BEUl819Gm2d1pnHO7yo%3D&reserved=0]. The Centre of Social Justice. Survival of the Fittest? Improving Life Chances for Care Leavers. The Centre of Social Justice, 2014. https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CSJ_Care_Report_28.01.14_web.pdf [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F03%2FCSJ_Care_Report_28.01.14_web.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CS.Kemp%40soton.ac.uk%7C4dd4c6a357174be4343408ded38f14b1%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C639180808643472100%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=L%2Br8Am6E3xb9iQxeIggzs8BtkmI0RSVN6COqgEzF130%3D&reserved=0].

Adchaya Apputhurai: A sparkling problem in our aquatic environments - a study on glitter pollution.

Adchaya Apputhurai (BSc Environmental Science) joins us to discuss her dissertation "A sparkling problem in our aquatic environments: A study on glitter pollution". Despite being a prevalent microplastic of a highly complex structure, glitter is overlooked as a pollutant. This study links particle size, short-term biological impact, and sediment transport for red PET glitter. The commercially available glitter was split into three size fractions, then Artemia sp. were exposed to these for 72 hours and mobility was quantified in a sediment column experiment that simulated episodic rainfall. The results show that fine particle glitters are persistent, mobile, and carry potential for physical harm to organisms, making their exposure risk greater. It is argued that glitter should be explicitly considered in microplastic regulation and monitoring frameworks, whilst also bringing more awareness to the public about its harm. Consumers are encouraged to make active choices when buying items including glitter to prevent pollution of sensitive aquatic environments.  Episode guest: Adchaya Apputhurai, BSc Environmental Science Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp  Episode producer and editor: Jack Dinham

Jamie Robinson: Salinity rising - the hidden crisis threatening the Mekong delta

Jamie Robinson (BSc Environmental Science) joins us to discuss his research project 'Salinity rising: the hidden crisis threatening the Mekong delta' which is part of the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (University of Southampton) and Mekong Institute (Can Tho University) research collaboration. Salinity intrusion is increasingly threatening the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, a region vital for global rice production. In this episode, Jamie Robinson explores how rising salinity, driven by climate change, sea level rise and human activity, is impacting both the environment and local communities. Using fieldwork and long-term data, the research shows clear increases in salinity levels, especially during dry seasons, placing pressure on crop yields, water security and livelihoods. The episode highlights that this is not just an environmental issue, but a complex challenge requiring coordinated, sustainable solutions to protect the delta’s future. The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2026 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students. Episode guest: Jamie Robinson, BSc Environmental Science Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp Episode producer & editor: Jack Dinham

Gabriel Westcott: Harm, moral status and the use of animals in biomedical research

Gabriel Westcott (BA Philosophy) joins us to discuss his research project "Harm, moral status and the use of animals in biomedical research". The practice of animal experimentation has been the topic of much discourse in the topic of Animal Ethics, in part because it poses a dilemma for those who oppose it and those who advocate for it alike. Whether we deem the practice of animal experimentation permissible or not, we perpetrate a great deal of harm. Part of task of discerning whether animal experimentation is permissible, resides in establishing whether it is the case that animals have moral standing, that is, whether animals matter in their own right. As, despite the great benefits that animal research yields, if we afford animals moral standing there will be some cases where morality mandates that we favour animal interests over human interests.  Episode guest: Gabriel Westcott, BA Philosophy Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp Episode producer & editor: Jack Dinham

Jess Cook: Power to the people - exploring the potential of community energy

Jess Cook (BSc Environmental Science) joins us to discuss her independent research project "Power to the People: exploring the potential of community energy". In this Student Symposium episode, we explore renewable community energy projects from the people's perspective and how they shape up as a feasible decarbonisation solution. We explore whether the challenges that communities face from policy and funding limitations outweigh the benefits successful projects find. we look at the people and places that get involved with projects like these and what makes a project more likely to succeed than others. The synergistic benefits these projects offer within sustainability are examined and the glimmer of hope they provide in these ever more extreme times is discussed. Sit down as we look at the future of community energy with the Government's release of the Local Power Plan and ask, is this a realistic solution to decarbonise our grid and reduce the cost of energy? Guest: Jess Cook, BSc Environmental Science Host: Prof Simon Kemp Editor: Jack Dinham The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2026 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.