Best Tech Policy Design Centre Podcasts (2025)

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Creative Approaches to Data Storytelling and Research Communication, with Dr. Jessamyn Fairfield  58:30

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3d ago58:30

58:30

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a great conversation with Dr. Jessamyn Fairfield. Jessamyn is a lecturer in natural sciences at the University of Galway in Ireland. Jessamyn’s work specialises in art-science collaboration with a focus on performing arts and thinking differently about how people can …

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Making Complex Data into Consumable Storytelling, with Dr. Nathaniel Bavinton 54:38

10d ago54:38

54:38

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a great conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Bavinton, who you may remember from way back in Episode 183. Nathaniel is an urban sociologist and Associate Director at Urbis, working in their Smart and Sustainable Places team. In this episode Nathaniel tells us about data vi…

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Part 5: Next Steps - Australia vs Social Media 35:47

14d ago35:47

35:47

This is the final episode of TPDi’s 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we turn our attention to the future, looking at policy priorities for the Government going forward, including privacy law reform, a prohibition on unfair trading practices, competition code…

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Dr. David Chaney: Transforming diabetes care and effective NHS collaboration 1:09:44

15d ago1:09:44

1:09:44

Imagine starting every day with a calculation: what you eat, how you move, whether an unexpected walk or a stressful meeting will tip your blood sugars out of range. That daily mental load sets the stage for our conversation with Dr David Cheney of Diabetes UK, where we unpack the hidden frictions in diabetes care and the bright spots that are chan…

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Cybersecurity Visualisations and User-Centred Data Design, with Kuhu Gupta 44:53

17d ago44:53

44:53

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Kuhu Gupta. Kuhu is a data visualisation engineer at Illumio, working at the intersection of cybersecurity data, storytelling and design. In this episode Kuhu tells us about network flow visualisations and zero trust segmentation in cyberse…

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Part 4: Implementation - Australia vs Social Media 38:50

19d ago38:50

38:50

This is episode 4 of TPDi’s 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the practicalities of implementing the Social Media Minimum Age legislation. What is likely to happen on 10th December when the law comes into effect? We answer some of the m…

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Part 3: The Law - Australia vs Social Media 38:48

23d ago38:48

38:48

This is episode 3 of a 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we make sense of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation, explaining the limits of the law and what it actually requires of social media companies, young people, parents, and the community. We also unp…

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Data Stories for Wicked Problems: My First Year PhD Update 10:39

24d ago10:39

10:39

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this special episode of the Smart Community podcast, I'm sharing an update on my first year of PhD research at the University of Technology Sydney's Transdisciplinary School. In this episode I tell you about my research focus shift from AI to persuasive data storytelling and how we can use data stories to engage commu…

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Part 2: The Politics - Australia vs Social Media 35:11

28d ago35:11

35:11

This is episode 2 of a special 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we discuss how the issue of social media harms and the idea of a minimum age restriction became such a political hot topic in the lead up to the 2024 Federal election. We explore the political, …

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Part 1: The Harms - Australia vs Social Media 30:14

1M ago30:14

30:14

In this 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media, we’re exploring Australia's world first online safety experiment. Across five episodes, we’ll unpack the new social media minimum age restriction law, examine the harms it seeks to prevent, consider the controversy surrounding its passage through parliament in November 2024, and try…

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Making Change Visible and Actionable in Smart Communities, with Ash Hoover 50:53

1M ago50:53

50:53

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Ash Hoover. Ash is a scientist turned technologist and AI R&D Lead at Planet Labs, an earth imaging company. They work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and earth observation, analysing millions of satellite images to understan…

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Australia vs Social Media 1:26

1M ago1:26

1:26

When Australia passed its world-first law setting a minimum age for social media, the headlines were global - but the experts were divided. In this Tech Mirror mini-series, we unpack the harms the law seeks to prevent, trace how young people’s use of social media became a flashpoint in the lead-up to the 2025 Federal Election, and explain what the …

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Making Data Persuasive and Publicly Available for Smart Community Advocacy, with Professor Nicole Kalms 51:56

1M ago51:56

51:56

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Professor Nicole Kalms. Nicole is a professor at Monash University and describes herself as a practice-based researcher interested in doing things in the real world. Trained as an architect, she leads the XYX Lab at Monash University, which…

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From Public Spaces to Boardrooms: Data Storytelling Across Contexts, with Nina Valkanova 46:30

2M ago46:30

46:30

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Dr. Nina Valkanova. Nina is a design strategist with 20 years experience in digital innovation across consultancies, labs and applied research. In this episode Nina tells us about her research on civic data visualisations in public spaces a…

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Empowering Smart Community Advocates Through Data Literacy, with Marcus Foth 44:40

2M ago44:40

44:40

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling, As part of my PhD research, I've been speaking with experts from all over the world who are using data visualisations and storytelling in real world projects to support decision making and advocacy. In this episode …

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Prof. Jim McManus: Zooming out on prevention 57:21

2M ago57:21

57:21

Professor Jim McManus: Zooming out on prevention In this episode, we explore prevention in its widest sense — across systems, communities and everyday life. Professor Jim McManus, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health Wales, explains why prevention remains one of the toughest challenges in health and care. He shares how poverty…

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Smart Community Data Stories for Environmental and Policy Change, with Jack Zhao 44:33

2M ago44:33

44:33

Hi #SmartCommunity friends, in this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a fantastic chat with Jack Zhao. Jack is a designer and maker of data visualisation with over 15 years of experience in research and industry. He co-founded Small Multiples with his partner Andrea Lau, where they help clients across all industries and sectors make dat…

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Local Government Data Stories for Smart Community Engagement, with Kelly Henderson 48:01

2M ago48:01

48:01

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling as part of my PhD research. In this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a fantastic chat with Kelly Henderson. Kelly is Team Leader of Digital Innovation at Wellington City Council in New Zealand. With a ba…

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Autographic Design and Data Storytelling for Smart Communities, with Dietmar Offenhuber 47:51

2M ago47:51

47:51

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling as part of my PhD research. In this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Dr Dietmar Offenhuber. Dietmar is a professor at Northeastern University in Boston and chair of the Art an…

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From Research to Impact in Smart Community Communication, with Dr. Zina O'Leary 49:57

3M ago49:57

49:57

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling, which is part of my PhD research In this episode of the Smart Community podcast I have a brilliant discussion with Dr Zina O'Leary. Zina is a sociologist, methodological expert and research communication specialist …

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Effective and affective approaches to data visualisation, with Dr. Phillip Gough 49:57

3M ago49:57

49:57

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling, As part of my PhD research, I’m speaking with experts from all over the world who are using data visualisations and storytelling in real world projects to support decision making and advocacy. In this episode of the…

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Documentary Storytelling for Smart Community Impact, with Rocio Rodriguez Almaraz 51:18

3M ago51:18

51:18

Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling. As part of my PhD research, I've been speaking with experts from all over the world who are using data visualisations and storytelling in real world projects to support decision making and advocacy. In today's episo…

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Amber Vodegel: Designing for 150m global users 52:40

3M ago52:40

52:40

The way we design health apps is shaping who stays healthy and who gets left behind. In this conversation, Amber Vodegel, founder of the world’s largest pregnancy app, Pregnancy Plus, and now CEO of 28x, challenges how women’s health technology is built, funded, and trusted. Amber argues that health knowledge shouldn’t sit behind a paywall or be tr…

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Building Trust Through Data Stories for Smart Community Leaders, with Jonathan Reichental 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

Hi #SmartCommunity friends! Welcome to a very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling. As part of my PhD research, I've been speaking with experts from all over the world who are using data visualizations and storytelling in real world projects to support decision making and advocacy. This work is deeply ali…

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Rachel Hope: Designing for the NHS shift to digital and prevention 59:28

4M ago59:28

59:28

What if the word "solution" is generating more problems than it solves? In this revealing conversation, Rachel Hope, Director of Digital Prevention Services for the NHS, challenges our fundamental thinking about technology and transformation in healthcare. Rachel is building the architecture for a new kind of health service - one that's digital-fir…

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Season 3 update from James and Per 2:03

5M ago2:03

2:03

This is an update to let you know that we have reached the end of Season 3. Have a great summer, and perhaps Per will see you at Camp Digital in Manchester, England, and perhaps James will see you at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia. References: Our Backstage mailing list get a heads up about the new season: Sign up here Contribute with your tim…

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Dr Malte Gerhold: What does it really take to deliver transformation? 53:42

5M ago53:42

53:42

Transformation is pervasive but we rarely discuss implementation - the secret sauce of successful change. In this episode, we explore one of the most persistent challenges: how to turn promising ideas into real, lasting impact. Malte Gerhold, Director of Innovation and Improvement at the Health Foundation — and trustee of the Alzheimer’s Society — …

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Charlotte Newman: Lean tech transforming respite for 35k carers 43:05

6M ago43:05

43:05

At some point in your life, the chances are that you'll either become a carer or be cared for. For Charlotte Newman, this reality became the foundation for groundbreaking social innovation. With 5.7 million unpaid carers in Britain saving the public purse £183 billion annually—more than the entire NHS budget—Charlotte saw an overlooked crisis. Her …

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Accessible design systems with Karen Hawkins 36:40

7M ago36:40

36:40

S03E11 (#339). Karen Hawkins, accessible design practice lead at Level access and chair of the W3C ARRM group joins us to discuss accessibility and design systems. Design systems can really help improve accessibility, but in reality design teams often don’t know their exact responsibilities, leading to accessibility gaps in implementation. We talk …

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Prof. Rachel Dunscombe: Your data could save lives 52:22

7M ago52:22

52:22

Imagine passing your health data down like a family heirloom. Not just a list of conditions, but a rich personal history — something that could help your children and grandchildren live longer, healthier lives. But that future depends on what we do now. Right now, governments are pouring billions into electronic health records. But if the data insi…

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Designer burnout with Katrina Alcorn 40:12

7M ago40:12

40:12

S03E10 (#338). About 15 years ago Katrina Alcorn suffered from burnout while managing a team of designers and raising a family. Drawing from her own experience, Katrina highlights during our conversation the importance of autonomy, connection, as well as purpose in the workplace. We discuss the ways in which burnout can be avoided and how to create…

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Penguins, Personal Growth and Ph.D Plans (Another 2025 update!) 58:33

7M ago58:33

58:33

Hi #SmartCommunity friends! I sat down with my podcast producer Ellen to record another update episode. This time we chatted about my Antarctic adventure through the Homeward Bound leadership program, what I learned about myself and community building in the process, and what's next for the Smart Community Podcast as I embark upon my Ph.D this year…

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Headspace with Cal Thompson 48:44

8M ago48:44

48:44

S03E09 (#337). Cal Thompson, VP of Product Design and Research at Headspace, joins us to talk about the evolution of Headspace from a pure mindfulness app to a comprehensive mental health platform, including health coaches and therapists. We chat about Headspace’s internal culture and how they manage being a healthy workplace as a health company. W…

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Dr. Katharine Halliday: Collaboration, leadership, AI and clinical judgment 44:36

8M ago44:36

44:36

Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists and a leading voice in UK radiology, joins host Sam Menter to discuss how collaboration, authentic leadership, and ground-up innovation drive meaningful change in complex healthcare systems. In this episode, they explore: Balancing AI with human expertise: Exploring how artificia…

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UX for business with Joel Marsh 44:24

8M ago44:24

44:24

S03E08 (#336). Inspired by feedback from his booked UX for beginners, Joel Marsh has written UX for business. A comprehensive guide for designers navigating real-world challenges. We talk to him about his own journey from design principles to practical business applications. We chat about Joel’s VDP methodology: Value, Diagnosis, and Probability, e…

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Service literacy with Lou Downe 41:29

9M ago41:29

41:29

S03E07 (#335). Lou Downe, author of Good Services and former director of design for the UK government joins us in this episode. We sat down with Lou and asked—Where is service design going wrong, and are we even doing service design? Among the topics we discussed were: The complexity of modern services and the complete reliance on infrastructure, a…

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Dr. Jonathan Gregory: Part 2, AI and groundbreaking research 43:17

9M ago43:17

43:17

In this two part episode, we talk to Dr. Jonathan Gregory, a former NHS cancer surgeon turned healthcare innovator, to explore the intersection of data, digital tools, AI, and patient-centred design in transforming cancer pathways. With over 20 years in frontline surgery and leadership roles, Jonathan now works. as clinical advisor for Macmillan Ca…

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Defending against evil with Aarathi Krishnan 40:39

9M ago40:39

40:39

S03E06 (#334). Aarathi Krishnan is an international aid expert, specialising in humanitarian futures and strategic foresight. In a world where the sets of rules that have governed us as humanity are rapidly changing, how will we know if the solutions that we are designing now are going to be fit for purpose? Aarathi pushes the importance of account…

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Dr. Jonathan Gregory: Part 1, transforming cancer pathways 49:53

9M ago49:53

49:53

In this two part episode, we talk to Dr. Jonathan Gregory, a former NHS cancer surgeon turned healthcare innovator, to explore the intersection of data, digital tools, AI, and patient-centred design in transforming cancer pathways. With over 20 years in frontline surgery and leadership roles, Jonathan now works. as clinical advisor for Macmillan Ca…

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Fail early 42:42

10M ago42:42

42:42

S03E05 (#333). A linkshow. James and Per discuss two articles they’ve stumbled on. This time we feature articles about things that slow down your website’s experience and why you can’t do anything about it plus the concept of “failing early” but not in a “failing fast” startup way. Article one is Six things that slow down your site’s UX (and why yo…

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More systems thinking with Sheryl Cababa 48:47

10M ago48:47

48:47

S03E04 (#332). Two years on from when Sheryl Cababa released Closing The Loop, her book about systems thinking for designers, we hear Sheryls reflections and insights about what she’s learnt during that time and we grapple with the challenge of applying system thinking as designers “out of the box”. We work in a complex space, with many complex as …

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Murky middle with Christina Joy Whittaker 38:29

10M ago38:29

38:29

S03E03 (#331). Your destiny isn’t tied to a role. You were a person before your role. Leadership expert and strategist Christina Joy Whittaker talks to us about the murky middle, a phenomenon rooted in misalignment and purpose and quite distinct from imposter syndrome which is rooted in confidence. Christina shares her personal journey from corpora…

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January Update & Smart Community Themes for 2025 37:50

11M ago37:50

37:50

Hi #SmartCommunity friends! I sat down with my podcast producer Ellen to record another update episode. 2024 was a very big year personally and professionally, so we chat about that and what’s coming up in the next 12 months. Talk to you soon! Find the full show notes at https://zoeeather.com/podcast/ Connect with me via email: [email protected]…

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The Great Amazon Heist with Oobah Butler 41:39

11M ago41:39

41:39

S03E02 (#330). Oobah Butler, journalist and filmmaker known for his prankster antics, joined us to discuss his work, including “The Great Amazon Heist” and “The Shed at Dulwich”. Oobah highlights the relative ease of manipulating algorithms, such as TripAdvisor and Amazon, to boost fake products’ rankings. We also discussed the broader implications…

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Dr. Videha Sharma: designing for prevention through genetic testing 1:03:29

11M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

Dr. Videha Sharma—NHS doctor, clinical innovation lead at the University of Manchester, and co-founder of Fava Health—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore how prevention-focused care, human-centered design, and genomic insights can reshape healthcare. Dr. Sharma offers a unique perspective on the power of tailoring treatments to an ind…

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Dark mode 36:06

11M ago36:06

36:06

S03E01 (#329). In the first episode of Season Three, James Royal-Lawson and Per Axbom discuss the concept of dark mode, its benefits, and its implications for UX design, user experience and accessibility. We delve into the European accessibility directive, and the EN 301 549 European standard which includes a section on user preferences, requiring …

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Liability Is Not A Dirty Word, with Casey Mock from the Centre for Human Technology 1:00:18

1y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Center for Humane Technology, Casey Mock joins Johanna for a discussion on incentives for building safer and more humane technology. Casey and Johanna discuss designing platforms for people and not just profit, how to realign incentives in tech using the well-established concept of legal liability, wha…

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Rochelle Gold: NHS user research, AI, collaboration and vampires 44:31

1y ago44:31

44:31

Rochelle Gold—Head of User Research and User-Centred Design at NHS England—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore the challenge of making digital services more human. They discuss how actionable insights from user research are delivering better outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals. From pioneering an AI-powered tool to mana…

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Dr. Lia Ali: the intersection of design and healthcare 42:33

1y ago42:33

42:33

Dr. Lia Ali—consultant psychiatrist and clinical advisor at NHS England’s Transformation Directorate—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore the intersection of healthcare, human-centered design, and digital innovation. Dr. Ali shares her unique insights on the bio-psycho-social model and how it aligns with user-centered design to create …

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Country, Kin and Technology 45:52

1y ago45:52

45:52

Angie Abdilla, Professor and the ANU School of Cybernetics, founder of Old Ways, New, and co-author of the Indigenous Protocols for Artificial Intelligence, joins Johanna for an exploration of Indigenous Knowledge and the lessons we can all draw from it. Angie and Johanna talk about the value of viewing technology, science, and engineering through …