Ever wondered what's going on behind the scenes of the latest technology, the next big thing, today's news or tomorrow's trends? We asked our academic experts to break down what's happening in the world and their industry, and dig into the topics that fascinate them. In-depth. In detail. In glorious stereo.
Digital people - AI, deepfakes, de-aging and raising the dead
Over the last decade or so, developing technology in the film and TV industry has allowed for the creation of increasingly photorealistic CG characters in live action - including the digital resurrection of deceased actors. But in the last couple of years, the impact of AI has accelerated that process substantially, seemingly making it easier than ever to bring yesterday’s stars back to life. But... how does it work? And what does the industry think about it?
In this episode, we’re exploring digital actors – the technology, the ethics, and what comes next - with Solent's course leader for CGI and VFX, Dr Ken Pitts.
Find out more about our CGI and VFX courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/digital-arts-animation-games-and-vfx
16 Dec 2025
The enduring appeal of Agatha Christie
Historian Dr. Mark Aldridge explores Agatha Christie's mysterious life and enduring appeal, revealing why her novels and characters continue captivating audiences in this interview.
25 Nov 2025
Beauty standards - are we putting too much pressure on ourselves?
Lecturer Charlotte Logue explores the booming beauty industry and its impact on body image and self-perception, revealing the complexities of modern beauty standards in this interview.
7 Oct 2025
Our ocean, our opportunity, our obligation
Martin Greenslade discusses the maritime industry's challenges, including skills shortages and the climate crisis, highlighting digital innovation and potential opportunities in an interview with Robyn.
5 Jun 2025
Behind the scenes - the technology of live events
Lee Davison, Deputy Head of Film and Media, explores the technology driving the expanding live events industry and the skills required for creating immersive experiences in an interview with Robyn.
21 May 2025
Why the Met Gala matters
When we think of fashion, there are few events that spark the kind of fervour that comes with the Met Gala. First introduced in 1948 as a fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the gala brings together the biggest names in the creative industries, promising iconic looks and a whole lot of reaction. This year’s event took place on Monday 5 May, and there’s a lot to unpack. But beyond the outfits, why does the Met Gala matter?
In this episode Robyn's joined by fashion lecturer Sasha Halsey and contextual studies for fashion lecturer Dr Marianne Damoiseau, to talk about the gala's history, enduring global popularity and how its famous guests interpreted this year’s theme.
For a glance at some of the looks from this year's event reference in this episode, Sasha recommends The Sanxtuary's breakdown - "And now, we're seen": a discussion of Black elegance, power and protest at the Met Gala 2025 (https://www.thesanxtuary.com/post/and-now-we-re-seen-black-elegance-power-and-protest-at-the-2025-met-gala)
And to find out more about the fabulous range of fashion courses at Solent, visit www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/fashion-make-up-and-prosthetics (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/fashion-make-up-and-prosthetics)
22 Apr 2025
What is a nurse?
The care we receive in our most vulnerable moments is what shapes our experiences of healthcare. A huge chunk of that care is delivered by a nurse, yet their role often flies under the radar.
In this episode Robyn's joined by Solent’s Simulated Learning Nursing Lead, Joelle Salje, to explore the vital role of nursing, take a look back at the history of the profession, and discuss what it means to be a nurse in 2025.
Interested in learning more about nursing at Solent? You can check out our nursing and other medical courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/health-and-medical-science (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/health-and-medical-science)
2 Apr 2025
International shipping is going green!
The maritime industry might not be something you think about, much, but it’s huge ... and it’s essential infrastructure for modern life. Shipping is the backbone of modern trade, transporting 90% of the world’s commodities... cars, TVs, food; you name it, it’s been in a shipping container somewhere along its way to you.
But the industry is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s growing. So what can we do to make maritime better for the environment?
Robyn's having a break this week, so faceless producer turned temporary host Martin is joined by Professor Laurie Wright, Associate Professor of Marine Sustainability and Director of Solent’s specialist Centre for Marine Sustainability to take a look at the world of maritime and shipping, and ask – what can we do, and what’s being done, to turn maritime green?
Like what you heard? You can find out more about our maritime sustainability research at our Centre for Marine Sustainability (https://www.solent.ac.uk/research/research-areas/environment-and-engineering/centre-for-marine-sustainability) page, and our maritime business, cadetships and professional training courses at maritime.solent.ac.uk (https://maritime.solent.ac.uk/)
18 Mar 2025
What's with all the plagiarism legal cases in music?
Sampling has always been in use within the music industry, and it’s a rare song that doesn’t owe something to the artists who came before... but in recent years we’ve seen an influx of headlines centred on plagiarism lawsuits – often involving some of the biggest stars.
So what's that about? Is music getting more derivative? Is the industry getting more litigious? To help uncover the answers, Robyn's joined by Dr Chris Anderton (Associate Professor in Cultural Economy) and James Hannam (Course Leader for Music Business and Event Management).
Together they'll discuss the difference between sampling, plagiarism and interpolation, look at the legal underpinnings of music rights and how that's affected high profile plagiarism cases in recent years, and explore the potential effects on artists' success and creativity. And, as always on ...Explained!, what might the future look like?
If you love music and the music business, take a look at our specialist courses - you can find out more at https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/music-and-performing-arts (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/music-and-performing-arts)
Want to open your ears to some of the most famous samples in music (and some that might surprise you)? James and Chris have put together a Spotify playlist of tracks - alongside the songs they're sampling - at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2FAd4wiEefcQdqY3tO3p3d (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2FAd4wiEefcQdqY3tO3p3d). Anything missing? Let us know!
25 Feb 2025
Are the Oscars trying too hard?
The Oscars are back on the telly on Sunday 2 March, so in this episode we’re diving into the world’s biggest awards night. The Academy Awards are emotional, celebratory and sometimes controversial.
But are they still relevant?
Joined by connoisseurs of cinema Dr Stuart Joy and Dr Adam Vaughan, on this episode Robyn's exploring what's changed over the awards' 97 years? What do this year's nominations mean, and what will this year’s ceremony bring? And, as always on ...Explained!, what might the future look like?
If you love film, take a look at our specialist courses - you can find out more at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/film-tv-and-media (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/film-tv-and-media)
11 Feb 2025
Women and girls in STEM
In this episode Robyn's celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Together with Solent's Head of Science and Engineering, Sarah Radif, and Dr Janet Bonar – Course Leader Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering – she'll explore the progress made in STEM, and discussing what steps need to be taken to ensure gender equality across these fields.
You can find out more about International Day of Women and Girls in Science at www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day (https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day) ...and if you're interested in studying STEM, check out our architecture and construction courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/architecture-interiors-and-construction (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/architecture-interiors-and-construction), and our engineering courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/engineering (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/engineering)
21 Jan 2025
Journalism vs social media
This week on ...explained!, we’re exploring the changing world of journalism and how social media is changing the way we understand news.
To tackle the subject, Robyn is joined by Andy Ford, Senior Lecturer Sport Journalism and a qualified journalist with more than 30 years’ experience across national and regional print, online, radio and television media, including ITV and Sky Sports.
Together they'll explore how news has changed in the internet age, the the pressures of the 24-hour cycle, and the question of trust – why audiences trust a video on Facebook more than a trained journalist. Has journalism lost its edge? Or just its integrity?
Interested in learning more? Check out our sports journalism courses at https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/sports-journalism
7 Jan 2025
We're all gamers now
The UK video games industry is worth around £6 billion, employing hundreds of thousands across the country - and according to analysis platform Statista, 37.7 million people in the UK play video games, almost half of them women.
Gaming's come a long way from its humble, male-dominated roots - but in going mainstream and broadening its appeal, has it lost some core part of its identity? And does it even matter?
In this episode of ...explained! Robyn's joined by Dr Nick Hampton, Solent Uni's Course Leader for Computer Games Art and Design, to discuss what it means to be a 'gamer' in 2025. Along the way we'll explore the growing popularity of the form and how it's changed over the years, whether games are 'art', and peer into the future of gaming.
Interested in learning more? Check out our games development and games art degree courses (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/computer-games)!
28 Dec 2024
New year, new you - why your health and fitness resolutions are doomed
According to the Health and Fitness Association, nearly 11% of gym members join in January, and around 80% of New Year’s Resolutions are abandoned by February. Google searches for health and fitness also peak at the beginning of a year.
So what gets us on a health kick at the start of a new year?
Welcome to ...Explained!, the Southampton Solent University podcast where we attempt to unpack what’s going on behind the scenes of modern life; from sport and science to music and law, and everything in between.
In this first episode of ...Explained!, host Robyn O'Mahoney is joined by Solent Uni Sport, Health and Exercise Science Lecturer Lee Turner. Lee was a physiotherapist before transitioning to psychology and has spent a decade at Solent teaching a range of modules, including health, fitness and personal training, as well as exercise psychology.
Join us as we break down the psychology that drives us to set unrealistic resolutions for ourselves at the turn of the year, and take a look at some of the unexpected ways you might break the trend - and turn your new year resolution into an all-year habit.
Interested in learning a bit more about what makes humans tick? Explore BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology (https://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/sport-and-exercise-psychology-bsc) and the rest of our fascinating psychology degrees (https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/psychology).
Who has been a guest on ...Explained!
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Mark Aldridge
Charlotte Logue
Martin Greenslade
Lee Davison
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