What makes open societies more resilient in the face of global crises like climate change and artificial intelligence?

Stefan Brunnhuber of the World Academy of Art and Science unpacks why open societies—rooted in critical thinking, civic freedom, and institutional balance—hold the key to thriving in the 21st century, while autocracies remain reliant on the very systems they oppose.

Visit the World Academy of Art and Science website: worldacademy.org

Read more: amazon.co.uk/Stefan-Brunnhuber

Heating and cooling our homes, workplaces and public spaces is a source of constant effort, and expense. What can new technologies offer to help hold warmth, or aid air circulation? What if one solution could do both?

Dr Miren Jauristi Gutierrez from Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy, joins us to discuss innovative architectural features that could save energy, money, and carbon in future designs.

Find more at : https://zeraf-technology.eu/

What impact does artificial intelligence have on the evolution of consciousness, and could it mark the beginning of a new form of awareness beyond the human?

Stefan Brunnhuber of the World Academy of Art and Science explores how AI, as a transformative technology, reshapes not only society but the filters through which we perceive modern life — bridging biology, cognition, and cosmic consciousness.

Visit the World Academy of Art and Science website: worldacademy.org

Read more: amazon.co.uk/Stefan-Brunnhuber

Space is a key feature of social life. But does the digitalisation of society affect its spatial dimensions, and if so, how?

In this podcast, Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki discusses his work exploring digitality, different types of space and notions of virtual realities, such as cyber space.

With Dale Southerton and Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theordore Schatzki.

This podcast is brought to you by the Centre for Sociodigital Futures – a flagship research centre, funded by the ESRC and led by the University of Bristol in collaboration with 12 other Universities in the UK and globally. The support of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is gratefully acknowledged.

Economic forecasting is particularly challenging during global crises, with predictions often hampered by uncertainty and external factors.

Hwee Kwan Chow and Keen Meng Choy from Singapore Management University examine Singapore’s GDP and inflation forecasts during the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, uncovering the influence of government projections and herding behaviour that affect prediction accuracy.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1007/s00181-022-02311-8

The fifth and final TRUUD podcast explores the future of urban development and the necessary investments for creating healthier places. Host Andrew Kelly with experts Daniel Black, TRUUD Research Co-Director and Thomas Aubrey, Credit Capital Advisory, discuss the issue of short-termism in planning and the importance of long-term vision, drawing parallels with historical and European examples.

They highlight the need for integrated planning that includes transport, green spaces, and social infrastructure alongside housing. The conversation examines methods for measuring the impact of urban development on health and the economy, introducing the HAUS model from TRUUD. Financing models, including land value capture, are considered crucial for delivering sustainable and high-quality urban environments.

The podcast also touches on the significance of leadership, devolution, and community involvement in achieving these goals.

Funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership which aims to reduce non-communicable diseases such as cancers, type-2 diabetes, obesity, mental ill-health and respiratory illnesses, TRUUD is providing evidence and tools for policy-makers in government and industry.

Find more at the TRUUD website: https://truud.ac.uk/

Books recommended in the episode

Daniel Black:

The Death of Rural England by Alan Hawkins

Small Is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher

How Institutions Think by Mary Douglas

Thomas Aubrey:

Good Cities, Better Lives: How Europe Discovered the Lost Art of Urbanism by Peter Hall, with contributions from Nicholas Falk.

Andrew Kelly:

The film They Came to a City (1944) directed by Basil Dearden and adapted from a play by J.B. Priestley. Available on BFI Player.

Music credit: New York London Tokyo by Petrenj Music

Produced by Beeston Media.

The fourth podcast episode from the TRUUD programme explores public engagement in shaping healthier urban environments. Hosted by Andrew Kelly in conversation with Dr Andy Gibson, University of the West of England and Dr Miriam Khan, GP and member of the TRUUD Public Advisory Board, they explore the importance of involving communities and listening to their lived experiences in policy creation.

They examine methods for effective engagement, such as deliberative approaches and the use of visual aids, highlighting challenges and successes in projects like low traffic neighbourhoods. The guests also recommend books that underscore the principles of people-centred urban development and the accessibility of scientific information.

Funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership which aims to reduce non-communicable diseases such as cancers, type-2 diabetes, obesity, mental ill-health and respiratory illnesses, TRUUD is providing evidence and tools for policy-makers in government and industry.

Find more at the TRUUD website: https://truud.ac.uk/

Books recommended in the episode

Dr Miriam Khan

Happy Cities by Charles Montgomery

Dr Andy Gibson

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre

Andrew Kelly

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Music credit: New York London Tokyo by Petrenj Music

Produced by Beeston Media.

The third podcast episode from TRUUD explores the complexity of achieving long-term, lasting change within urban development to foster healthier lives. Host Andres Kelly discusses with Dr Krista Bondy, University of Stirling, and Dr Neil Carhart, University of Bristol, how current systems struggle to address interconnected challenges, often leaving practitioners feeling powerless.

The conversation emphasises the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach and systems thinking to understand the various influencing factors and overcome short-term perspectives.

This episode investigates how to create interventions that are sustainable and prioritise health and equity for current and future generations, suggesting a need to reconsider societal values and decision-making processes.

Funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership which aims to reduce non-communicable diseases such as cancers, type-2 diabetes, obesity, mental ill-health and respiratory illnesses, TRUUD is providing evidence and tools for policy-makers in government and industry.

Find more at the TRUUD website: https://truud.ac.uk/

Recommended reading from episode

Krista Bondy:

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal

Justice and the Politics of Indifference by Iris Marion Young

Neil Carhart:

Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows

Andrew Kelly:

The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short Term World by Roman Krznaric

Music credit: New York London Tokyo by Petrenj Music

Produced by Beeston Media.