Podcast series from the Institute for Social Justice at York St John University. With different hosts each month we intended to animate discussion about the role of higher education in social justice. New episodes each month.
Publisher
Institute for Social Justice at York St John University
Who gets to be at the Centre? Social Impact, voice and change in Higher Education
In this episode, Professor Jacqueline Stevenson speaks with Dr Omolabake Fakunle (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fedwebprofiles.ed.ac.uk%2Fprofile%2Fomolabake-fakunle&data=05%7C02%7Cv.pugh%40yorksj.ac.uk%7C22b344770fd5482c523008df194ac8e2%7C5c8ae38ef85b4309b7ec862815a37aee%7C0%7C0%7C639257481482632164%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BsdOYBaYcZN1v%2FGn%2FrZdIWdEmbXXw4FiboqXVvUfG3k%3D&reserved=0) from the University of Edinburgh about social impact, power and participation in higher education. Together they explore the concept of Centrality (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.universityworldnews.com%2Fpost.php%3Fstory%3D20260211031133989&data=05%7C02%7Cv.pugh%40yorksj.ac.uk%7C22b344770fd5482c523008df194ac8e2%7C5c8ae38ef85b4309b7ec862815a37aee%7C0%7C0%7C639257481482687198%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=O7AXftsRd0KhE7p2EvpbM3T4rslqzhfDCKhCoYmakyY%3D&reserved=0), a framework that challenges assumptions about whose knowledge, experiences and voices are valued in universities and partnerships.
The conversation considers how institutions can move beyond statements and intentions towards more inclusive and equitable approaches to social impact, while reflecting on the barriers and possibilities for meaningful change. This discussion accompanies York St John University's ongoing assessment of social impact being led by Jacqueline Stevenson. Visit this recent (https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/isj/2026/04/17/what-our-alumni-are-telling-us-about-social-impact-and-why-their-voices-matter-for-ysjs-future/)blog (https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/isj/2026/04/17/what-our-alumni-are-telling-us-about-social-impact-and-why-their-voices-matter-for-ysjs-future/) to learn more.
22 Sept 2026
Reviving the High Street: How Community Action Powers the Circular Economy
How can a local high street actually become the engine behind a circular economy? Today, we’re in Malton, North Yorkshire, talking upcycling hubs, pop-up shops, and community wealth building. Joined by experts in change management, place-branding, and social justice, we ask: what does community-led climate action really look like on the ground, and can small town centre help transform our future?
The 'WOW Wheelgate' initiative in Malton is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund.
Visit the Circular Malton and Norton website (https://circularmaltonnorton.org/wow-wheelgate/) to read an independent report by York St John University. Including a community 'How Might You' guide.
The project featured in official HM Government guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-economy-guidance-for-mayoral-strategic-authorities) as a pioneering national blueprint for embedding circular behaviour into community life.
9 Jul 2026
Neurodivergent Inclusion in Education and the Workplace: Is it merely performative?
In honour of Disability Pride Month, Josh Mackenzie, this year’s intern at the Institute for Social Justice, breaks down neurodiverse inclusion in education and the workplace: how far we’ve come, and how much further we must go.
Josh is joined by Michael Brown, a social entrepreneur championing neurodiverse groups, later-life work inequalities, and ‘dignity-first’ employment. Together, they explore whether the alleged progress made in hiring and workplace inclusion is meaningful, or merely performative.
Michael, drawing on his own lived experience, reflects on his return to education and how far neurodiverse inclusion has come, and what a genuinely inclusive campus would look like in practice.
Photo by Maxim Berg (https://unsplash.com/@maxberg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-plastic-model-of-a-human-brain-vLfzJSGCU9c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText)
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Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
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Engagement
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