Tag: environment

Exeter Marine Podcast: Theraputic Benefits of Nature and Virtual Reality – with Alex Smalley

Ben Toulson Leave a comment

In this episode we were joined by Alex Smalley to discuss his role as a science communicator, his PhD work on digital natural environments and how these can play a part in psychological restoration.

 

About our guest:

Alex Smalley is a science communicator and PhD student. Alex heads up the science communication for the BlueHealth and SOPHIE (Seas, Oceans & Public Health in Europe) projects, based out the ECEHH (European Centre for Environment & Human Health). He aims to enhance awareness and impact of this work across Europe. 

In his PhD Alex is investigating how immersion digital nature could be used for therapeutic purposes. This is funded through the Wellcome Centre and aims to use technology to develop an effective therapeutic intervention to reach those who might face barriers in connecting with physical natural environments. 

 

 

© BBC Radio 4

 

Topics discussed:

  • Alex’s career journey, science communication experience and current work.
  • A BBC soundscape experiment through the Forest 404 programme.
  • The impact that nature can have on psychological restoration, both in the real world and in virtual reality.

 

Resources:

Virtual Nature study

The Forest 404 experiment

Alex’s ECEHH profile

Alex’s BlueHealth profile

Alex’s SOPHIE profile

 

Episode and show notes produced by Ben Toulson and Katie Finnimore.

Check out other episodes of the podcast here.

You can subscribe on most podcast apps, if you’re feeling kind please leave us a review!

#ExeterMarine is an interdisciplinary group of marine related researchers with capabilities across the scientific, medical, engineering, humanities and social science fields. If you are interested in working with our researchers or students, contact Emily Easman or visit our website!

Exeter Marine Podcast: Fisheries and the SOPHIE project, with Dr. Rebecca Short

Ben Toulson Leave a comment

We were joined by Dr. Rebecca Short in this episode, discussing a variety of work, including her role within the SOPHIE project and her work with fisheries.

 

 

About our guest: Dr. Rebecca Short

Dr. Rebecca Short specialises in marine conservation and biology, currently working on the Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE) project, based at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). Her work for the project involves conducting a systematic evidence mapping exercise, to synthesise the evidence of human health links with the oceans in Europe. Rebecca’s previous work has included completing her PhD based on the effects of mosquito net fisheries in Northern Mozambique, for which a new paper was recently published. She is also now a committee member of the Marine Social Science Network (MarSocSci), which facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration across the marine sector.

 

 

Topics discussed:

  • Rebecca’s role within the SOPHIE project.
  • Mosquito net use by fisheries in Mozambique.
  • Work with marine aspects of the EDGE of existence project.
  • Rebecca’s role at the ECEHH regarding the use of marine resources. 
  • Rebecca’s new role as a Blue Food Fellow.

 

Examples above of fish caught in mosquito nets.

 

 

Resources:

 

Episode and show notes produced by Ben Toulson and Katie Finnimore.

Check out other episodes of the podcast here.

You can subscribe on most podcast apps, if you’re feeling kind please leave us a review!

#ExeterMarine is an interdisciplinary group of marine related researchers with capabilities across the scientific, medical, engineering, humanities and social science fields. If you are interested in working with our researchers or students, contact Emily Easman or visit our website!