Speaking of Research: the SCDTP Podcast – Series 2, Episode 1

Series 2 Episode 1 – New Podcast Episode: Max Dixon on Taiwan, Supply Chains, and British Foreign Policy

The second series of Speaking of Research kicks off with a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Max Dixon, a doctoral researcher from the University of Portsmouth. Max’s research investigates how British foreign policy discourses frame Taiwan, especially in light of its global importance to microchip supply chains and its position as a liberal democracy.

Drawing on examples from the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Max explores how economic security, defence strategy, and democratic values have become closely linked in political debates around Taiwan. He shares insights into how UK policymakers construct these narratives, the historical legacies they draw upon, and how this shapes the UK’s response to growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in international relations, global trade, security, and how research can inform real-world policy decisions.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Max’s research is helping us understand one of today’s most pressing global challenges—and why it matters.

Max Dixon is a full‑time SCDTP‑funded doctoral researcher at the University of Portsmouth and is part of the 2022–2023 cohort. He is supervised by Dr Isabelle Cheng  and his PhD project is titled “The other China or an emerging Taiwan? Democratic Taiwan and British foreign policy, 1996‑2021.”

You can listen on your favourite platform:

• Spotify: Listen here
• Apple Podcasts: Listen here
• Amazon Music: Listen here
• Acast: Listen here

Start listening today and join us in celebrating the voices shaping tomorrow’s research.
 

🎧 Season 2 launches November 2025

New episodes of Speaking of Research Series 2 will be released on Tuesdays between 18 November 2025 to 10 February 2026.

Tune in weekly to hear directly from researchers across our partner institutions as they share their work, insights, and the impact they hope to make.
 

Curious about how it all began?

Series One of Speaking of Research was recorded at our annual conference at Cumberland Lodge in April 2025. In each episode, Catherine McDonald from Research Podcasts speaks with doctoral researchers about their projects, who might benefit from their work, and the impact they hope to make.
 
Visit our Series 1 podcast archive to listen to the full first series and discover the stories that launched the conversation.
 

 
💬 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.