Surrey Speaks is the University of Surrey’s podcast, where big ideas meet real life.
This season, hosts Georgie Gould and Vanessa Bellringer dive into the conversations shaping our world today. Working alongside Surrey’s academics, Season 4 explores everything from ADHD and mental health to quantum computing, online safety, the justice system, veganism and much more.
Engaging and straight to the point, Surrey Speaks brings research to life, asking the questions people want answered and sharing ideas that could change the way we live.
Prisons across England and Wales are under unprecedented strain. Overcrowding, staff shortages and rising reoffending rates are forcing urgent questions about whether the current system is working at all.
In this episode of Surrey Speaks, Professor Melissa Hamilton, an expert in criminal justice reform, joins Georgie and Ness to examine how prisons should be run and what meaningful reform could look like.
The conversation explores the biggest failures of modern prison systems, including unsafe conditions, limited access to rehabilitation and the long-term social cost of mass incarceration. Professor Hamilton explains how prison environments can directly influence reoffending and why short custodial sentences are linked to particularly high rates of repeat offending.
The episode also looks at the financial cost of incarceration, the pressures created by prisons operating at near full capacity, and whether building new prisons alone can solve structural problems without sufficient staff and support services.
Turning to alternatives, the discussion examines community sentences such as electronic tagging, curfews and rehabilitation programmes. Do they actually reduce crime, or are they seen as soft options? The episode also considers whether certain non-violent offences should result in imprisonment at all.
Professor Hamilton discusses racial and economic disparities within the justice system, including evidence that minority groups face higher charging rates, and explores what policy changes could reduce inequality at every stage of the process.
Finally, the episode asks a fundamental question. If the prison system in England and Wales were rebuilt from scratch, what should it prioritise? From technology and staffing to rehabilitation and public safety, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what a modern justice system could become.
A powerful and timely discussion for anyone interested in criminal justice, prison reform and how society responds to crime.
31 Mar 2026
What on Earth is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is often described as the next technological revolution, with the power to solve problems that would take today’s computers thousands of years. But what actually is quantum computing and how close are we to using it in everyday life?
In this episode of Surrey Speaks, Professor Paul Stevenson, a leading quantum researcher at the University of Surrey, joins Georgie and Ness to demystify one of the most complex and misunderstood technologies of our time.
The conversation begins with the basics. Professor Stevenson explains how quantum computers differ from classical machines and why their ability to process information in entirely new ways could transform science, medicine and climate modelling. Using real-world examples, the episode explores how quantum systems can solve certain calculations in seconds that would take conventional computers many hours or even days.
The discussion also tackles growing public concern around security. Could quantum computers crack today’s encryption and put online banking and personal data at risk? Professor Stevenson explains how realistic these fears are, how long it would take for quantum systems to break modern encryption, and how quantum technologies could also be used to strengthen cybersecurity rather than undermine it.
Looking ahead, the episode explores where quantum computing could have the greatest impact, from healthcare and drug discovery to climate forecasting. It also addresses the major barriers holding progress back, including cost, specialist skills and the enormous cooling requirements needed to run quantum machines.
Finally, the conversation turns to ethics and responsibility. As computing power accelerates, who should control access to it? Should quantum education begin in schools? And could this technology help solve humanity’s biggest challenges or create new risks we are not yet prepared for?
A fascinating and accessible episode for anyone curious about the future of computing and the technologies that may shape the decades ahead.
17 Mar 2026
How Can We Win the Battle for Online Safety?
From artificial intelligence and deepfakes to identity fraud and online hate, the internet is evolving faster than the systems designed to protect us. As digital tools become more powerful, questions are growing about who is responsible for keeping people safe online.
In this episode of Surrey Speaks, Professor Nishanth Sastry, a leading expert in digital safety at the University of Surrey, joins Georgie and Ness to explore the growing challenges shaping online behaviour and trust.
The discussion begins with artificial intelligence and large language models. Professor Sastry explains what LLMs are, how AI memory functions work, and whether storing personal information in digital tools could increase the risk of identity theft and fraud. The episode also examines how deepfake technology is changing online crime and whether current UK legislation is keeping pace with these rapid developments.
Shifting focus, the conversation turns to online abuse, hate speech and trolling. With research showing that many young people encounter harmful content online, the episode explores whether AI moderation tools can realistically detect and reduce online hate, and where the limits of automated systems lie.
Professor Sastry also discusses how platforms can protect vulnerable users, including teenagers and marginalised communities, while still safeguarding freedom of expression. The episode considers whether regulation, technology or cultural change offers the strongest route forward.
Closing the discussion, the episode asks a bigger question: what is our collective responsibility in building a safer internet? From platform design to user behaviour, this episode looks at how individuals, companies and governments all shape the future of online safety.
A vital listen for anyone concerned about AI, digital identity, cybercrime and the future of the internet.
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