# Using Academic Research to Make Sense of the News Cycle

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/continuing-studies-higher-ed-podcasting-6467008/using-academic-research-to-make-sense-of-the-news-cycle
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/continuing-studies-higher-ed-podcasting-6467008/using-academic-research-to-make-sense-of-the-news-cycle.md
Podcast: [Continuing Studies: Higher Ed Podcasting](https://stenobird.com/podcast/continuing-studies-higher-ed-podcasting-6467008)
Published: 2026-05-18T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.continuingstudiespodcast.com/episodes/using-academic-research-to-make-sense-of-the-news-cycle
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/zA4xtlPBvf2K1K9zesjz/media.transistor.fm/e5a86c50/01dbca94.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/continuing-studies-higher-ed-podcasting-6467008/episodes/using-academic-research-to-make-sense-of-the-news-cycle
Duration seconds: 1948

## Resource

How can a podcast use academic research to help us make sense of today’s news? Neil and Jen talk with Gemma Ware , head of audio at The Conversation UK and host/co-producer of The Conversation Weekly , about how the show brings academic expertise into the news cycle through narrative-produced audio. Gemma shares how The Conversation pairs academic rigour with journalistic flair, helping researchers explain complex ideas in a way that’s clear, accessible, and useful for a general audience. The conversation also digs into the craft behind the show: structuring episodes around the question “How did we get here?”, working with academics on mic, sustaining a weekly production schedule, and thinking strategically about multimedia, video, and discoverability. It’s a thoughtful look at how higher ed podcasters can translate expertise into stories that help listeners better understand the world around them. Episode Links: The Conversation Weekly The Conversation Gemma Ware Profile Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:59) - What is The Conversation? (04:45) - The Editing Process (06:07) - From The Anthill to The Conversation Weekly (10:08) - The “How did we get here?” structure (12:21) - Turning current affairs into academic storytelling (14:12) - Sustaining a weekly podcast (15:37) - Helping academics communicate clearly (18:58) - Building a global audio network (21:12) - Podcasting, multimedia, an…

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