We often think of vulnerability as weakness - but what if it’s the very thing that connects us all?

In this Transforming Business episode, Martin Parker speaks with Melissa Tyler, author of 'Organizing Vulnerability', about why we need to rethink vulnerability as a shared, deeply social condition shaped by inequality and interdependence.

From workplaces to the climate crisis, Tyler offers a powerful reimagining of vulnerability that opens pathways to solidarity, dignity and more just forms of organization.

Melissa Tyler is Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the University of Essex.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/organizing-vulnerability

The transcript is available here:

Timestamps:

0:47 - Can you tell us about the book that you've written?

4:38 - How is vulnerability unequally distributed?

5:47 - How do these ideas intersect with the world of work and organisations?

7:51 - How does vulnerability relate to your interest in artistic and creative work?

11:16 - What is the chapter 'Existing: The Social Relations of Breathing' about?

16:06 - What is the chapter 'Enduring: The Social Relations of Grieving' about?

20:57 - What is the chapter 'Enacting: The Social Relations of Appearing' about?

28:08 - How does this help us make workable lives?

Intro music:

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In today’s escalating climate crisis, more employees are asking how they can make a meaningful environmental difference at work - but where do we start and what can we really do?

In this Transforming Business episode, Martin Parker speaks with Barbara Kump and Babette Julia Brinkmann, authors of ‘The Green Handprint at Work’, about how we can all create change from within our organisations.

They unpack why the idea of a green handprint can be more powerful and motivating than the language of carbon footprints, the different strategies people use to spark environmental change within organisations and how employee activists can sustain hope and resilience while tackling challenges that often feel overwhelming.

Barbara Kump is Associate Professor of Business and Sustainability at the University of Twente. Babette Julia Brinkmann is Professor of Organisational and Group Psychology at Cologne University of Applied Sciences.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/professional-business/the-green-handprint-at-work

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/03/10/podcast-how-to-be-an-employee-activist-for-sustainability/

Timestamps:

01:05 - How did you get interested in employee activism?

05:25 - What is the difference between a carbon footprint and the idea of a green handprint?

07:08 - Is the phrase 'employee activist' something of a paradox?

10:11 - Are these changes too small in the face of the larger issue of capitalism?

14:10 - What were some of the most inspirational stories from employee activists?

21:32 - How can people approach decision makers about these changes?

25:26 - What risks can come from being an employee activist?

28:36 - How can employee activists stay resilient?

33:50 - Who do you hope will read this book?

Intro music:

Cold by yoitrax | @yoitrax

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Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

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Tens of thousands of individuals are affected by disappearance and enforced disappearance every year, but until now the study of this phenomenon has often been disjointed and disconnected due to academic silos.

In this podcast, Richard Kemp speaks with Bahar Baser and Élise Féron, two of the co-editors for the new Journal of Disappearance Studies, about how the journal serves as a space to break these boundaries and give this important field a unified platform.

They discuss the difference between disappearance and enforced disappearance, the ethical implications of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves and how they hope the journal will evolve over the coming years.

Bahar Baser is based at Durham University, UK. Élise Féron is based at Ulster University, UK

Find out more about the journal at: https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/jds/jds-overview.xml

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/03/06/podcast-why-disappearance-research-matters/

Timestamps:

01:28 - What was the inspiration behind starting the Journal of Disappearance Studies?

04:20 - What are the different forms of disappearance?

08:40 - What is it like for the families who are left behind?

14:41 - Why are 'widows' particularly impacted?

16:05 - Why are enforced disappearances getting more prevalent?

21:13 - What is transitional justice?

30:54 - Why was it important for the journal to include poetry and filmmaker interviews, alongside academic articles?

34:50 - What ethical issues arise when researching and representing disappearance?

38:54 - How do you hope the journal will evolve in future issues?

Intro music:

Cold by yoitrax | @yoitrax

Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.