State of the Earth

Surf therapy: The science behind blue health with Nick Knowles

Surf therapy is emerging as one of the most exciting areas of mental health research, combining the benefits of physical activity, blue spaces, and social connection to support wellbeing. In this episode of State of the Earth, Sophie Crossley sits down with Nick Knowles, PhD researcher in Health and Wellbeing at the University of Exeter and Research Manager for the International Surf Therapy Organisation (ISTO), to explore the evidence behind this growing field. Nick's research investigates how and why surf therapy works, who it benefits most, and what needs to happen for it to become more widely integrated into healthcare and community wellbeing initiatives. As one of the UK's leading early-career researchers in the field, Nick will also be speaking at this year's UK Surf Expo in Newquay, sharing the latest evidence shaping the future of surf therapy. In this episode, we cover: * What surf therapy is, and how it differs from recreational surfing * Why surf therapy is gaining recognition within healthcare and social prescribing * Who benefits most, and why programmes don't work the same way for everyone * The biggest challenges facing surf therapy research and implementation * The future of surf therapy and blue health research Nick's latest research paper: Explaining how, why, for whom and when surf therapy improves mental health and wellbeing in adults: a realist synthesis Read the paper here. [https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Explaining_how_why_for_whom_and_when_surf_therapy_improves_mental_health_and_wellbeing_in_adults_a_realist_synthesis/31889926?file=63284371]

The future of Coral reefs to Blue Planet II: In Conversation with Prof Callum Roberts

In this podcast, host Sofia Salas Lopez speaks with Prof. Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter and one of the world's leading marine conservation scientists. In this conversation, we explore Callum’s journey from studying coral reef ecology in the Red Sea to becoming a leading voice in ocean conservation through policy. We discuss the impacts of climate change on coral reefs, the global 30 by 30 target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, the challenges of overfishing, and the role of science and media in shaping policy. Callum is the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Blue Marine Foundation, a WWF-UK Ambassador, and was a scientific advisor for the BBC's Blue Planet II. He is also the author of several influential books, including The Unnatural History of the Sea, Ocean of Life, and Reef Life: An Underwater Memoir. Highlights: * Callum’s journey into marine conservation * The importance of coral reefs * Climate change and coral reef futures * Marine protected areas and the 30 by 30 target * Overfishing and bottom trawling * Science communication and Blue Planet II * The role of scientists in policy * Reasons for optimism about ocean conservation Links to further explore his work: University of Exeter profile: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/35107-callum-roberts [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexperts.exeter.ac.uk%2F35107-callum-roberts&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C49b717769e0a4891a1a408ded1d4be18%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639178908799197367%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=63DfG6Iaypn4gnEKu%2FPlSwQIu%2FPVtCaQKY%2Bby8V%2F4ds%3D&reserved=0] Published books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/737994.Callum_Roberts [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fauthor%2Flist%2F737994.Callum_Roberts&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C49b717769e0a4891a1a408ded1d4be18%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639178908799212833%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tpFo2qbx3hiaqTRM3PlAIFKvxKWRkGj6A%2BBwZ5JI9Lo%3D&reserved=0] Research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=lRTJ4IQAAAAJ&hl=en [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fcitations%3Fuser%3DlRTJ4IQAAAAJ%26hl%3Den&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C49b717769e0a4891a1a408ded1d4be18%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639178908799223465%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DR3zhtdTdunR05g%2F2Ntsv5VY3zNXjNQymBySlgkAePo%3D&reserved=0]

Critical minerals and Cornwall: Exploring the future of responsible mining

Mining is essential to the technologies powering the transition to net zero, from electric vehicles and wind turbines to batteries and renewable energy infrastructure. But as demand for critical minerals accelerates, how can mining become more responsible, circular, and sustainable? In this episode, Sophie Crossley speaks with Professor Frances Wall [https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/735-frances-wall], Professor of Applied Mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines [https://dees.exeter.ac.uk/csm/] and one of the world’s leading experts on critical minerals and sustainable resource development. Recently awarded an OBE for services to geoscience and sustainable resource development, Frances shares insights into the future of mining, the growing importance of critical minerals, and Cornwall’s role in the global energy transition. In this episode, we discuss: * Why critical minerals are essential for achieving net zero * What “responsible mining” really means in practice * The role of circular economy systems in reducing waste and improving sustainability * Why mineral processing is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry * Cornwall’s mining heritage, and why the region is back in the spotlight * How the industry can rebuild public trust and operate more responsibly * What developments in legislation, supply chains, and technology may shape mining in 2026

Ice Sheets and the Sea Floor: Marine Geology of our Changing Planet with Prof James Scourse

In this podcast, host Sofia Salas Lopez speaks with Prof. James Scourse, a marine geologist and the Head of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Exeter. In this conversation, we explore James’s career in marine geology, his research on Quaternary environments and climate change, and how geological records help us better understand past and future environmental change. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, he went on to earn a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His doctoral research focused on the Quaternary stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of the Celtic Sea, Isles of Scilly, and West Cornwall. Following his PhD, James was elected to a Research Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Shortly after, he was appointed to a Lectureship at Bangor University in the School of Ocean Sciences in 1985 and was awarded a Personal Chair in 2005. In February 2017, he moved his research group to the Penryn Campus at the University of Exeter. James has held numerous leadership roles within the academic community. He served as President of the Quaternary Research Association (2008–2011) and as Chair of the NERC Radiocarbon Facility Steering Committee (2007–2011). He was Editor of the Journal of Quaternary Science (2000–2004) and was awarded a Royal Society–Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship in 2008–2009. He was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2014, directed the Climate Change Consortium of Wales from 2011 to 2016, and received a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree from the University of Cambridge in 2023. Highlights: * Introduction to Prof. Scourse and his journey into marine geology * The importance of marine geology * Experiences conducting field work in the Antarctic * The work of Sclero * Marine environmental dating applications * Climate change, tipping points and glaciers * Deep-sea mining  * Policy * The future of his work Links to further explore his work: University of Exeter profile:  https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/26104-james-scourse [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexperts.exeter.ac.uk%2F26104-james-scourse&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C798ff912c5624bf8654308de746f4ce3%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639076218524330177%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=p%2F22r4YX5CorZQdOE14Va1bQ9p7RcwXiyIMydyS5jrs%3D&reserved=0] Sclero: https://sclerogroupexeter.co.uk/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsclerogroupexeter.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C798ff912c5624bf8654308de746f4ce3%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639076218524351827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y65XM8oCQAs%2BmuKSJoLT4Kxwg7xurbcdsR1B8RSiF6M%3D&reserved=0]

Sustainable tourism, unpacked: Governance, ethics, and hidden costs with Jose Melenez Roman

Tourism connects people, cultures, and economies, but it also places growing pressure on communities and environments around the world. So what does sustainable tourism really mean in practice, and how can such a complex global industry become more equitable and resilient? In this episode, Sophie Crossley speaks with Jose Melenez Roman, Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Exeter. With more than 14 years of experience working across public and private sector tourism projects worldwide, Jose explores how collaboration, governance, and innovation can help tackle some of tourism’s toughest sustainability challenges. In this episode, we discuss: * What “sustainable tourism” really means beyond the buzzword * The hidden social and environmental costs of tourism * How participatory governance helps destinations design better solutions * Greenwashing in tourism and how organisations can build credibility * Whether regulation or collaboration will drive change in the years ahead * Advice for students and professionals entering the sustainable tourism field