Using Academic Research to Make Sense of the News Cycle

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 WeeklyThe ConversationGemma Ware ProfileConnect with Us:Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsChapters:(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, and discoverability (27:19) - Leaning into niche expertise (29:56) - How long should the story be? (30:45) - Closing reflections (31:33) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing