Professor Qammer H. Abbasi, Professor of Applied Electromagnetics & Sensing, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow.

How close are we to a future where nano sensors inside the human body can detect disease before symptoms appear? Or where holograms can be “teleported” with all five senses intact?

This episode features Professor Qammer Abbasi, whose research explores body-centric wireless communication, nanoscale terahertz networks, and the ethical challenges of emerging technologies. Abbasi explains why interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, and why engineers, medics, data scientists, environmentalists and others must work together to shape technology responsibly.

This episode explores:

• Body-centric wireless networks and their applications in healthcare

• Nanoscale terahertz communication for early cancer detection

• The role of industry collaboration in shaping usable technologies

• Ethical challenges in 6G and integrated sensing

• Abbasi’s vision of “all-senses holography” and the future of human connection

Guest Bio Professor Qammer H. Abbasi is Professor of Applied Electromagnetics and Sensing at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, where he co-directs the Communication, Sensing & Imaging (CSI) Hub and the EPSRC CDT DiveIn. His research covers antennas for 5G/6G, terahertz sensing, body-centric wireless networks, nano-communication, and biomedical applications of electromagnetics. He has published more than 500 papers and 11 books, secured over £13M in research funding, and serves on editorial boards and IEEE committees.

Resources & Links

• Professor Qammer Abbasi’s Research Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/staff/qammerabbasi/

• James Watt School of Engineering: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/

• Communication, Sensing & Imaging Research Unit: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/csi/

Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, artwork and original music by Nick.

Nicola McEwen, Professor of Public Policy and Governance, Director of the Centre for Public Policy, University of Glasgow

How does impartial research shape real-world decisions? Nick Bruce sits down with Professor Nicola McEwen, Director of the Centre for Public Policy and a leading expert on territorial politics and multi-level governance, to demystify how evidence informs government without taking sides. Nicola explains how she safeguards intellectual independence while advising ministers, how the Centre’s “policy labs” bring unlikely partners together to depolarise thorny issues like net zero, and why constitutional language and intergovernmental relations matter more than most of us realise.

If you’ve ever wondered how universities help turn research into change - calmly, rigorously and impartially, this episode is a must-listen.

Guest Bio

Professor Nicola McEwen is a Professor of Public Policy and Governance and Director of the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow. Nicola’s work spans intergovernmental relations, territorial politics, nationalism, multi-level government and policy-making, and multi-level parties and elections. She is actively involved in informing debate within the wider policy and political community, providing analysis in broadcast, print and social media. Nicola also provides advice to governments and parliamentary committees.

Resources & Links

• Centre for Public Policy (University of Glasgow): https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/

• Nicola McEwen’s Research Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/staff/nicolamcewen/

• Centre for Public Policy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uofg-centre-for-public-policy/

• A selection of Nicola’s essays and papers:

• The Sewel Convention and Brexit: https://constitution-unit.com/2020/04/07/the-sewel-convention-and-brexit/

• Between Two Unions: The Constitutional Future of the Islands after Brexit: https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/research-projects

Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, artwork and original music by Nick.

Professor Jude Robinson, Professor in Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow.

Social Anthropologist Professor Jude Robinson sits down to discuss her work examining how peri-urban communities in Kenya can access safer water. Jude is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, without which her work wouldn’t be possible. In this conversation she explains how this works in practice, the challenges involved, and what success looks like.

Jude also discusses the lifespan and reusability of products like plastic bottles, which are often used to transport water in peri-urban communities.

Guest Bio

Jude Robinson researches critical public health, focusing on the health of women with young children living on low income. Her research includes examining how people relate to others, their natural and social environments, and other species, framed through a ‘one health’ perspective.

Her current work in Kenya investigates how people in peri-urban communities access water, and its safety and quality. This interdisciplinary project involves microbiologists, medical and veterinary scientists, epidemiologists, and social anthropologists. Jude explores strategies used in resource-limited settings to improve human and livestock health without harming the environment.

Resources & Links

• Professor Jude Robinson Research Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/staff/juderobinson/#

• Spotlight on Research: https://youtu.be/GbtP0DTDEhk?si=8jahJyNiUIfO8y1B

Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, and original music by Nick.