The maritime industry is as big a business as you can get and, right here in Southampton, it contributes a whopping £2.5bn to the UK economy. But, like every industry, there are challenges to be navigated. From a skills shortage to the climate crisis, the maritime industry is facing a moment of opportunity and obligation – as explored during this year’s World Maritime Day.

In the first episode of …Explained! season two, Robyn is joined by Martin Greenslade – a ship-handling lecturer at Warsash Maritime School who has spent three decades in the industry. He talks digital innovation, the reactive nature of maritime, and what opportunities might lay ahead.

Find out more about Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritme School over at maritime.solent.ac.uk

By 2032, the live events industry – music festivals, sports, concerts and gigs – is estimated to reach a value of $1.2trillion. But while those of us in the audience just see a slick, well-polished show, there’s a vast amount of work going on just out of sight, and huge numbers of people working with the latest technology bring it to life.

While Covid-19 saw an exodus among highly skilled professionals, the industry is now on the up. So, what are the skills needed to deliver the best experience, both to the live audience and to watchers at home – and how can we make sure the industry has the people it needs?

For this final episode of ...explained! series one, Robyn's talking to Solent’s Deputy Head of Film and Media, Lee Davison, about the appeal of live events in the digital streaming age, the work that goes on behind the scenes, and the technology that's helping bring events to life in new and exciting ways.

Interested to learn more about working in live events? Check out our live events tech degree, or our wider range of media courses

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

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