Join students and academics from across the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS) in an exploration of our cutting-edge research and its real-world impact. If you have an interest in philosophy, psychology and language sciences or just have an inquisitive nature, PPLS Perspectives is the podcast for you!
In this special episode Philosophers Professor Michael Cholbi and Professor Michael Gill discuss the recent vote (17/03/26) rejecting The Assisted Dying Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The bill would have allowed terminally ill adults in Scotland, who are eligible, to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life.
10 Feb 2026
Episode 3: The Gendered Mind
In this episode of PPLS Perspectives, Madeline Horner sits down with Dr April Bailey, lecturer in Social Psychology and leader of the Bailey Identity and Social Cognition Lab. Together, they explore April’s research on how we think about “people” — and why, often without realising it, we tend to imagine a man rather than a woman. The conversation spans methods from reaction-time tasks to large-scale language models, considers cross-cultural and intersectional perspectives, and reflects on what these hidden biases mean for science, policy, and society more broadly.
17 Dec 2025
End of 2025 Message
We are taking a break for Christmas so there won't be a new episode this month. Thank you for your continued support, we'll be back in 2026 with more PPLS Perspectives.
18 Nov 2025
Episode 2: Linguistic Diversity, AI, and the Human Mind
In this episode Maisie Hallam returns to speak to Professor Jenny Culbertson from the Centre for Language Evolution about how language will shape—and be shaped over the next 50 years. From the accelerating loss of minority languages to the rise of AI and shifting patterns of migration, they explore the challenges and opportunities facing global linguistic diversity.
14 Oct 2025
Episode 1: Confronting the University’s Racial History
To mark UK Black History Month we start the new season with a special episode. PhD candidate Tony Baugh speaks with Professor Tommy Curry — the first Black philosophy professor in Edinburgh’s 442-year history.
Together they discuss the University's landmark race review with was co-chaired by Professor Curry.
The race review is available to read in full here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/about/race-review
6 May 2025
Episode seven: The CHILDS Study
In the final episode of our second season of the podcast Postdoctoral Research Assistant Dr Iain Hardie talks to PhD student Hannah Gofton about the CHILDS (COVID-19 Health Impact on Long-term Child Development in Scotland) Study, a project that utilised data from from almost 25,000 babies born in Scotland during the pandemic found no link between concerns with a child’s development at 13 to 15 months and the mother contracting the virus during pregnancy.
11 Mar 2025
Episode six: How is Social Media Shaping Language?
Sociolinguist Dr. Christian Ilbury returns to PPLS Perspectives with PhD student Gilly Marchini. In this episode they discuss how digital culture and technology have changed the way in which we use or interact with language.
11 Feb 2025
Episode five: Freedom of Speech and Responsible Public Debate
Professor Matthew Chrisman sits down with with Fergus Cleland to discuss his work around freedom of speech and civilised debate.
14 Jan 2025
Episode four: Genes, Society and Health
Research Fellow Dr David Hill and Dr Charlie Xia explore the causal links between poverty and mental illness, uncovering insights that can inform more effective public health strategies.
10 Dec 2024
Episode three: Bilingualism Matters
Professor Antonella Sorace discusses the importance of bilingualism with MSc Developmental Linguistics holder Jenny Jones, highlighting its transformative impact on individual and societal development.
21 Nov 2024
Episode two: The Philosophy of Time Travel
Philosopher Alasdair Richmond and return guest Ellie Palmer explore the philosophical implications of time travel, revealing new insights into the nature of time and reality.
8 Oct 2024
Episode one: Genetic Links to Dyslexia
In the first episode of our second season, Lucas Perry chats to Professor Michelle Luciano about her work on the genetic links to dyslexia.
10 Apr 2024
Episode five: Evolution of Language
How does language evolve from generation to generation? What factors shape the way we communicate? Professor Kenny Smith sits down to chat to PhD student Maisy Hallam about his work in our latest episode.
13 Mar 2024
Episode four: The Brain Abstracted
In our fourth episode Dr. Mazviita Chirimuuta discusses her work and new book The Brain Abstracted: Simplification in the History and Philosophy of Neuroscience with early career research fellow Kate Nave.
13 Feb 2024
Episode three: Bilingualism in Autism
Can growing up with around people speaking several languages aid in brain development among those with autism? In our third episode PhD candidate Aya Awwad discusses this issue with Dr Berengere Digard.
5 Dec 2023
Episode one: The Philosophy of Grief
In our first episode Ellie Palmer chats with Professor Michael Cholbi (author of Grief: A philosophical guide) about his work on the philosophy of grief.
5 Dec 2023
Episode two: Accent Bias
Does the way we speak act as a barrier to social mobility? In our second episode PhD candidate Gilly Marchini discusses this issue with sociolinguist Dr. Christian Ilbury.
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