Welcome to In the MEANtime, a podcast where academic research becomes accessible, engaging, and relevant. Based in Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time, we dive into the exciting projects shaping our world, offering a glimpse into the "meantime" of academic exploration. Each episode brings complex ideas down to earth, spotlighting real-world impacts and insights from leading researchers. Whether you're a researcher, student, professional, or just curious, In the MEANtime delivers meaningful conversations that bridge academia and everyday understanding.
In the MEANtime
Claim This Podcastby Lauren Siegel, Rami Shamseen, Chen Yang, Ryan Yung, Wenjie Cai
18 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
Podcast Overview
Welcome to In the MEANtime, a podcast where academic research becomes accessible, engaging, and relevant. Based in Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time, we dive into the exciting projects shaping our world, offering a glimpse into the "meantime" of academic exploration. Each episode brings complex ideas down to earth, spotlighting real-world impacts and insights from leading researchers. Whether you're a researcher, student, professional, or just curious, In the MEANtime delivers meaningful conversations that bridge academia and everyday understanding.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/3/2024
1 verified contact email on file for In the MEANtime
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Recent Episodes
June 11, 2026
S3Ep4:When Events Speak: Exploring the Messages Behind the Show
<p>In this episode, hosts Dr. Lauren Siegel and Dr. Ram Shamseen interview Dr. Pamela Zigomo about critical event theory, which examines underlying power relationships in event spaces and how event design can reproduce or disrupt inequalities. Zigomo discusses “entertainization,” describing how charities use popular entertainment to embed social messages, citing Global Citizen Festival’s model of requiring advocacy actions for access. She critiques past cause-related mega-events like Live Aid and Human Rights Now, noting research on limited long-term impact, Western-centric definitions of “top-selling” artists that excluded African performers, and “poverty porn” imagery that left audiences with distorted perceptions of the Global South. She previews her forthcoming book on third-sector event design beyond fundraising and shares post-colonial research on Southern African polo events and fan-community dynamics in fantasy football (FPL), highlighting recurring cycles of reproduced power structures.</p><p>00:30 Meet the Hosts</p><p>01:17 Critical Event Studies</p><p>03:30 Global Citizen Example</p><p>05:34 Entertainization Explained</p><p>09:57 New Book on Third Sector</p><p>11:42 Charity Events Beyond Fundraising</p><p>14:39 Live Aid Critique and Poverty Porn</p><p>19:17 Participation and Representation</p><p>22:07 Polo Events and Postcolonial Mimicry</p><p>28:33 Fantasy Football Fan Communities</p>
April 30, 2026
S3Ep3:The Human Touch: Rethinking Tech in Hospitality Workplaces
<p>In this episode, host Dr. Lauren Siegel, joined by Dr. Rami Shamseen, interviews Dr. Agnieszka Rydzik (University of Lincoln) about her research on how increasing use of technology in hospitality affects workers’ experiences, especially since the pandemic accelerated tools like QR-code ordering and self-service systems. Drawing on dozens of interviews with workers and industry stakeholders, she discusses how technology can intensify work, reduce staffing, create new pressures when systems fail, and shift customer frustration onto employees, often without enough training. Agnieszka also explores how these changes can reduce meaningful human interaction with customers, coworkers, and suppliers, contributing to disconnection and stress, while affecting workers differently by role and workplace. </p><p>01:25 Pandemic Tech Acceleration</p><p>03:57 Defining The Research Focus</p><p>04:35 Peak Times Staffing Pressures</p><p>08:09 Training And Tech Troubles</p><p>09:48 Why Hospitality Matters</p><p>12:03 Tech Reduces Human Connection</p><p>14:05 Invisible Workplace Tech Shifts</p><p>17:00 Gen Z Tech Reality </p><p>17:34 Human Connection Over Apps</p><p>18:01 Worker Centric Tech Rethink</p><p>18:29 Hospitality Futures Tool</p><p>20:39 Bartender Audio Narrative</p><p>22:19 Dehumanization and Manners</p><p>29:01 Guidelines for Better Practice<br></p>
April 9, 2026
S3Ep2:Exploring the Unseen: Queer Spaces, Death Rituals, and Storytelling with Dr. Ian R. Lamond
<p>In this episode, hosts Dr Lauren Siegel and Dr Wenjie Cai welcome visiting researcher Dr. Ian R. Lamond (University of Greenwich, March 2026) to discuss his work on “death spaces,” storytelling, and rituals. Lamond describes his book Death and Events and autoethnographic reflections from death-industry practitioners and death scholars, sparked by a case where tourists photographed an Indian funeral. He shares his move into celebrancy—focused on LGBTQIA+ ceremonies, gender-affirming renamings, themed weddings/funerals, and non-human companion rituals—and links this to narrative, performance, and research. Ian shares an impactful experience from attending the São Paulo Pride event. connecting this to the need for ongoing queer resistance and legacy. He also outlines creating Leeds rainbow plaques and trails marking queer history, and defines events as ruptures that reveal power and enable change.</p><p>02:40 Studying Death Stories</p><p>04:19 Tourists at Funeral</p><p>06:06 Death Industry Insights</p><p>07:06 Celebrancy New Career</p><p>14:03 Rituals and Liminality</p><p>16:53 Living Funerals Trend</p><p>17:43 Sao Paulo Pride Story</p><p>22:09 Queer Legacy Projects</p><p>28:01 Critical Event Studies</p><p>32:10 Comedy and Farewell<br></p><p><br><a href="https://rapport-celebrancy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><br></a></p><p>Ian's edited book: <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003155324/death-events-ian-lamond-ruth-dowson" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Death and Events</a></p><p>Upcoming: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/international-critical-autoethnographic-perspectives-on-death/khyati-tripathi/ian-lamond/9783032163110" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">International Critical Autoethnographic Perspectives on Death</a></p>
18 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is In the MEANtime?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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