In the fifth episode of Series 2 of Speaking of Research, a podcast from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, we meet Nikki Smith, a doctoral researcher from the University of Brighton. Nikki’s PhD explores the experiences of autistic young people in mainstream secondary schools across England, with the goal of informing school and government policies to create more inclusive educational environments.

Drawing on her experience as a teacher, Nikki takes a participatory approach, working alongside autistic individuals to shape her research. Five autistic participants helped refine her research question and methods, leading to the creation of an innovative “star profile” tool for data collection. Through her work, Nikki highlights the importance of listening to autistic voices and tailoring support to help every student thrive - an approach inspired by her own classroom experience, where six autistic students excelled with the right support in place.

You can read a transcript of the conversation here.

Find out more about the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership at southcoastdtp.ac.uk

This is a Research Podcasts production.

Credits:

Presenter: Catherine McDonald, Research Podcasts

Guest: Nikki Smith, University of Brighton

Producer: Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research Podcasts

Editor: Anton Jarvis, Research Podcasts

Transcripts: Lauren White, Research Podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the fourth episode of Series 2 of Speaking of Research, a podcast from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, we meet Barbara Sherriff, a doctoral researcher from the University of Brighton. Barbara’s research examines the relationship between work and mental wellbeing — a pressing issue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing prevalence of mental health challenges in the workplace.

Focusing on Generation Z employees, Barbara explores how expectations, communication, and organisational culture shape young people’s experiences at work. Through employer interviews, surveys, and focus groups, her study highlights the importance of proactive support systems — from wellness action plans to mental health training — in fostering healthier, more engaged workplaces. Her findings offer practical insights for employers aiming to reduce dissatisfaction and sick leave while building more supportive environments for emerging generations of workers.

You can read a transcript of the conversation here.

Find out more about the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership at southcoastdtp.ac.uk

This is a Research Podcasts production.

Credits:

Presenter: Catherine McDonald, Research Podcasts

Guest: Barbara Sheriff, University of Brighton

Producer: Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research Podcasts

Editor: Anton Jarvis, Research Podcasts

Transcripts: Lauren White, Research Podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third episode of Series 2 of Speaking of Research, a podcast from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, we meet Nick Huxley, a doctoral researcher from the University of Brighton. Nick’s research investigates the integration of AI tutor bots in primary education, exploring how these emerging technologies influence learning, engagement, and the role of the teacher.

Amid growing interest in artificial intelligence in classrooms, Nick highlights the lack of evidence surrounding its use with younger learners, and the potential risks of deepening the digital divide. His research emphasises the importance of teacher agency, the cognitive relief AI tools might offer, and the need for thoughtful implementation to ensure technology supports rather than replaces educators. With one third of the world still offline, Nick also raises critical questions about equitable access and the future of AI literacy for teachers.

You can read a transcript of the conversation here.

Find out more about the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership at southcoastdtp.ac.uk

This is a Research Podcasts production.

Credits:

Presenter: Catherine McDonald, Research Podcasts

Guest: Nick Huxley, University of Brighton

Producer: Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research Podcasts

Editor: Anton Jarvis, Research Podcasts

Transcripts: Lauren White, Research Podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.