New podcast from Salford Business School explores innovative research topics

Hosted by Knowledge Exchange Fellow Dr Adnan Bayyat, ‘Deep Dive’ features academics, industry partners and individuals with rich life experiences all chatting about knowledge and research and how it can impact our everyday lives.  

The first series, launched today (Monday 13 May), covers newsworthy topics such as sustainability within the fast fashion industry, artificial intelligence and how it is transforming the workplace, and how to make research more accessible for everyone.  

Whether you’re a student, academic or just lover of expanding your horizons and knowledge, listen to ‘Deep Dive – The Knowledge Exchange Podcast’ on Spotify today. The first episode covers sustainable accounting in fast fashion and features academic experts Solmaz Rohani and Deborah Smailes (University of Salford) and Ann-Christine Frandsen and Keith Hoskin (University of Birmingham). 

Dr Adnan Bayyat, Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the University of Salford Business School and host of the podcast, commented: “This podcast forms a part of our drive to make academia accessible to everyone. Hear from experts in their field on their current research area and learn something new which impacts the way you see the world. Knowledge is something that connects us all, and I hope by creating this podcast we can unify students, potential students, academics and members of the public in a love of knowledge and an insight into the work we do at Salford Business School.”  

For a flavour of what’s coming up in series one, see the episode synopses below. New episodes are released every fortnight.  

• Episode one  is a deep dive into the world of sustainable accounting within the fast fashion industry, promoted by a screening of the film ‘The True Cost’. Who is accountable for consumer behaviour, and can innovative business models and technology be a part of the solution? 
  
   
  
  Adnan welcomes Solmaz Rohani (Lecturer in Accounting, University of Salford), Ann-Christine Frandsen (Reader in Accounting, University of Birmingham), Keith Hoskin (Professor of Accounting, University of Birmingham) and Deborah Smailes (Programme Lead, MA Fashion Business and Marketing, University of Salford) to find out.  
  
   

• Episode two (coming soon) looks at the distinct roles of professional services and academics within the Higher Education space. Analysis focuses on the implications of labelling staff as ‘non-academic’ and how this influences hierarchies and identity. Perfect for anyone working in Higher Education, at whatever level.  
  
   
  
  Adnan is joined by Salford Business School colleagues Jonathan Lord (Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management) and Joanne Caldwell (School Business Manager) for the discussion.  
  
   

• Episode three (coming soon) sees a panel of experts discuss artificial intelligence and its relationship with human resources. We delve into the intersection of technology and HR, and the benefits and risks of using AI technology in a workplace environment. A must-listen for HR professionals.  
  
   
  
  Salford Business School’s Rashed Khan (Lecturer in International Business and Marketing), Vicki Harvey (Senior Lecturer in People Management) and Head of People and Culture at Leep Utilities, Julie Spicher, join Adnan on the panel.  
  
   

• Episode four (coming soon) stays with the theme of artificial intelligence, looking more broadly at what the technology can do for society. With esteemed guests from Salford Business School Gordon Fletcher (Associate Dean, Research and Innovation), Craig Smith (Lecturer in Law) and Marie Griffiths (Reader in Business Media Technologies). Craig has recently had a piece on the impact of AI on legal education published for The Conversation.  
  
   

• Episode five (coming soon) concludes the discussion on AI, looking at where the lines between technology, ethics and human impact are becoming increasingly blurred, and what can happen when AI is used in the wrong hands. Adnan is joined by Maria Kutar (Director of Undergraduate Business), Yun Chen (Senior Lecturer in Business IT) and Muktar Bello (Lecturer in Digital Business and Cybersecurity), all from Salford Business School.  
  
   

• Episode six (coming soon) focuses on another of the School’s projects to engage new audiences with academia. Adnan is joined by artist and Salford alumni Andrea Motta, as well as Kitty Rostron (Lecturer in People and Organisations) and Angela Byrne (Lecturer in Marketing), who have all been involved in a project to turn their papers into graphic-novel style artwork.  

Produced by Rhys Beard

Music by Craig Etchells