In this episode Dr Lauren Siegel and Dr Rami Shamseen are joined by Dr Maria Gebbels, Associate Professor in hospitality management at the University of Greenwich. The discussion centers around The Clink Charity, which operates fine dining restaurants inside working prisons where inmates are trained as chefs and front-of-house staff. The conversation covers The Clink's innovative approach, its significant social impact, the benefits it offers to both prisoners and the public, and Dr Gebbels' research on the transformative effects of this program. The episode also touches on the broader implications for rehabilitation and employment prospects for ex-prisoners.

00:18 Meet Dr Maria Gebbels

01:14 Understanding Critical Hospitality

02:26 The Clink Charity: Fine Dining in Prisons

04:17 How The Clink Charity Operates

08:40 Impact on Prisoners and Public Perception

18:29 Research Findings and Future Directions

In this episode, host Dr Lauren Siegel and guest host Dr Ryan Yung are joined by Dr Hyunjoo Lim to discuss the vital role of social media presence for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Hyunjoo explores her recent research on ad repetition and social media interactions, highlighting how consistent exposure and peer engagement can enhance website traffic and sales. The discussion underscores the importance of SMEs maintaining an active social media presence and provides practical insights into starting and optimising social media marketing efforts. Real-life anecdotes and successful examples further illustrate the potential of social media in driving business growth.

00:37 Discussion on Social Media Marketing

01:05 Research on Ad Repetition and Effectiveness

05:41 Practical Implications of the Study

05:46 Power of Peer Influence in Social Media

08:08 Organic Content and Viral Success Stories

11:33 Target Audience and Platform Relevance

13:00 Getting Started with Social Media Advertising

18:17 Hiring Content Creators and Social Listening

In this episode, hosts Dr Lauren Siegel and Dr Ryan Yung are joined by Dr Shahper Richter, a senior lecturer in marketing at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. They discuss the integration of AI tools in education, focusing on the use of chatbots named Jack and John. These digital tutors assist students with their learning by providing personalized support and answering queries in real-time. Dr Richter shares insights on how different student demographics interact with these AI tools and emphasises the importance of teaching students to use AI ethically and critically. The conversation also covers the impact of AI on educational practices and the role of educators in this evolving landscape. The episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating AI's challenges and opportunities in higher education.

01:29 Exploring Digital Avatars in Education

04:30 Chatbots and Personalised Learning

06:36 Challenges and Ethical Considerations

10:23 Integrating AI in Assessments

18:24 The Role of Educators in the AI Era

21:22 Critical Thinking and AI

24:56 Prompt Engineering and Best Practices