🎙️ Speaking of Research, the SCDTP Podcast Series : Episode 8

We’re thrilled to introduce Speaking of Research, a new podcast series from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership. This series explores the people, ideas, and research making a difference within and beyond academia.

Series One was captured live at our 2025 Cumberland Lodge conference, with each episode featuring Catherine McDonald in conversation with a doctoral researcher about the purpose and potential of their work.

🌊 Episode 8 – Framing Taiwan: British Foreign Policy and the Legacy of Empire with Max Dixon

In this episode of Speaking of Research, Elspeth Clark, a doctoral researcher from the University of Southampton, shares her research on how young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities experience belonging through meaningful occupation.

Drawing on her background as an occupational therapist, Elspeth works collaboratively with students in a special school using sensory and embodied methods to co-create understanding. Her research challenges assumptions that people who do not use words to communicate cannot take part in research.

Elspeth is exploring innovative ways to amplify their voices, and she hopes her findings will help shape more inclusive practices across education, health, and social care. By sharing her work through workshops, publications, and multimedia resources, Elspeth aims to make a lasting impact on how we view agency, inclusion, and co-research with those often left out of traditional research approaches.

🎧 Reimagining Belonging: Co-Research with Young People with Profound Disabilities
Listen now: Speaking of Research – Elspeth Clark

This is a meaningful and inspiring episode for anyone interested in inclusion, disability research, and how collaborative methods can reshape our understanding of belonging and participation.

Keep an eye out for more episodes as we continue showcasing the diverse voices and research across the South Coast DTP.

🎧 New Episodes Every Tuesday Until 16 July
Speaking of Research will release a new episode every Tuesday from now until 16 July, with a total of 10 episodes in Series One. Tune in weekly to hear directly from researchers across our partner institutions.

You can listen on your favourite platform:

• Spotify: Listen here

• Apple Podcasts: Listen here

• Amazon Music: Listen here

💬 We’d love to hear from you. If you have comments, reflections, or feedback, feel free to get in touch with us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.