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From the moment we are born, microbes begin to shape our development. But what role do these early microbial communities play in our long-term health? In this episode, Professor Rochelle Burgess is joined by Professor Meghan Azad and UCL Professor Nigel Field to explore the science of the infant microbiome and what it can teach us about lifelong health. Drawing on findings from major studies in Canada and the UK, the conversation examines how birth, infant feeding and early-life exposures influence the development of the microbiome. We discover how these earliest encounters with microbes may impact immune function, allergies, infections and future health outcomes. The discussion also explores the wider public health implications of this research, from maternity care and breastfeeding support to the growing commercial market for microbiome-based products.  Our guests reflect on how health systems can better support babies and families during the first critical months of life, while navigating the complex social, political and economic realities surrounding infant feeding and birth choices. Guests: Meghan Azad is a Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Early Life Nutrition and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Her research focuses on the role of infant nutrition and the microbiome in shaping child growth, development, and resilience. Meghan directs the Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre (MILC) and leads the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium, a network advancing multi-omic studies of human milk. She also serves as Knowledge Mobilization Co-Chair for the CHILD Cohort Study, a national pregnancy cohort following 3,500 Canadian children to understand how early life experiences influence lifelong health. Nigel Field is a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at UCL and Vice Dean Research in the Faculty of Population Health Sciences. He leads the Centre for Molecular Epidemiology and Translational Research at the UCL Institute for Global Health. Nigel’s research focuses on how microbes shape health across the life course. He leads internationally recognised work on the Baby Biome Study, which explores how gut microbes are transferred at birth and how this influences health later in life.  In this episode: What the microbiome is and why it matters for lifelong healthHow microbes help shape the immune system, metabolism and brain developmentWhat the Baby Biome Study and CHILD Cohort Study reveal about early-life microbial exposureHow birth, infant feeding and antibiotics influence the developing microbiomeWhy breast milk feeds not only babies, but their microbes tooThe role of maternity leave, breastfeeding support and wider social systems in enabling healthy starts to lifeWhat researchers still don't know about the relationship between the microbiome and long-term healthThe future of microbiome research, from mental health to personalised medicineThis episode was hosted by Professor Rochelle Burgess, Community Health Psychologist and Professor at the UCL Institute for Global Health. “What has disrupted your thinking?” Professor Nigel Field: A tiny figurine from the British Museum that represents fertility and regeneration. Professor Meghan Azad: A commissioned paper cutting of a microbial community that embodies the intersection of art and science. Links: Learn more about Meghan’s work at https://www.thrivediscovery.ca/ Learn more about the Baby Biome study: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/baby-biome-study   Production credits: Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is a podcast from UCL Health of the Public. Recorded remotely and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

To mark UCL's bicentenary, Public Health Disrupted comes to a live audience for the very first time. Hosts Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess are joined by medical historian Dr Cristiano Turbil for a conversation that challenges some of the stories we tell about public health progress.  Drawing on historical case studies linked to UCL, including vaccination and sanitation reform, the discussion reveals that public health has never advanced in a straight line. Behind many of the successes we celebrate today sit stories of protest, disagreement, exclusion, activism and resistance. What can these histories teach us about today’s public health challenges? How should we think about public trust, misinformation and scientific authority? And why might resistance be an essential part of creating healthier societies? Recorded live at Bloomsbury Studio as part of UCL200, this special episode explores how history can help us think differently about public health today. Guest: Dr Cristiano Turbil is a historian specialising in the modern history of medicine and public health. His research explores the relationship between medicine, politics and society, including the history of vaccination, public health reform, science communication and the role of medicine in shaping national identities. He is a Lecturer in Modern European History at UCL. In this episode: Why public health progress is often shaped by protest, conflict and resistanceWhat Victorian anti-vaccination campaigns can teach us about trust and public health todayLessons from past pandemics and public health crisesEdwin Chadwick, sanitation reform and the birth of modern public healthPublic health, power and the politics of inclusion and exclusionThe intersection of politics, health, and societal changeHosts: Xand Van Tulleken – Doctor, Writer, and TV Presenter and Professor Rochelle Burgess – Community Health Psychologist and Professor at the UCL Institute for Global Health. "What has disrupted your thinking?" Xand: The Epic of Gilgamesh – particularly the advice of the goddess Siduri: "Cherish the little child that holds your hand." Cristiano: Candide by Voltaire. Rochelle: Survival by Bob Marley & The Wailers.   Production Credits Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is produced by UCL Health of the Public. This episode was recorded live at Bloomsbury Studio as part of UCL200. Filmed and edited by Gillan Williams at Clarity Video, with support from Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess explore a deceptively simple question: what role does love play in our health and wellbeing?   Joined by award-winning poet and author Laura Mucha, and UCL sociologist Dr Rachel Benchekroun, they examine love not just as a feeling, but as a social force that shapes our relationships, communities and health.   From attachment theory and friendship to libraries, schools and community spaces, the discussion explores how connection, care and support influence the way we live, and what might be possible if public health took love more seriously.   Guests: Laura Mucha is an ex-lawyer turned award-winning poet and Author-in-Residence in the Department of Public Health & Primary Care at the University of Cambridge. Her books have been described as ‘stunningly original’ by BookTrust, ‘fantastic’ by the Daily Mail, ‘a must for every school library and classroom’ by The School Librarian and ‘a marvellous feat’ by Richard Curtis. She won Children’s Book of the Year 2024 (Non-Fiction) in The Week Junior Awards and recently broke the Guinness World Record for Largest Multi Venue Poetry Lesson together with over 43,000 young people around the world. Her books Please Find Attached and We Need to Talk About Love explore love and attachment theory by combining academic research and interviews with people in every continent of the world.   Dr Rachel Benchekroun is a Senior Research Fellow at UCL. She is a sociologist and ethnographer, and her research focuses on support networks, friendship, social infrastructure and wellbeing. At UCL's Social Research Institute, she has been researching motherhood and support networks in the context of precarious migration, and recently published a book about this. She has also been working on the NIHR-funded Fair Food Futures UK project, examining how community food organisations shape families' experiences of food insecurity. Now, at the Institute of Health Informatics, Rachel is part of the RAPHAEL project, funded by the EU and Horizon Europe, which aims to improve access to palliative care for heart failure patients.    In this episode: Why love, care and connection matter for health and wellbeingAttachment theory and the importance of feeling safe, supported and valuedThe impact of social and structural factors on love and connectionLove, care and support as acts of resistance in challenging circumstancesThe role of schools, libraries and community spaces in fostering wellbeingWhat a more caring and connected society might look likeHosts:  Xand Van Tulleken – Doctor, Writer, and TV Presenter and Professor Rochelle Burgess – Community Health Psychologist and Professor at the UCL Institute for Global Health.   “What has disrupted your thinking?” Laura: Dropping ​the ​Ball, ​poem written ​by ​Rochelle ​Burgess, Undefeated and Unspoken (books) by Kwame ​Alexander,  Rachel : Maxinquaye - album by English rapper and producer, Tricky.   Production Credits:Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand Van Tulleken is a podcast from UCL Health of the Public. Recorded remotely and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

Global Mental Health: Rights, Care and the Global Landscape   In this episode, Xand and Rochelle discuss the intricate relationship between geography and global mental health. Alongside guests Parth Sharma and Dr Kelly Rose-Clarke, they explore how factors such as conflict, climate, and social inequalities shape mental health experiences around the world, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of mental health support.   This episode raises critical questions about the future of mental health care, the necessity for systemic change, and the role of lived experience in shaping effective interventions. As the conversation unfolds, we invite you to reflect on how global mental health can be disrupted and transformed for the better.   Guests: Parth Sharma is an abolitionist, anti-colonial scholar whose work is grounded in their intersectional lived experience as a queer, non-binary, disabled, mad person. A cultural worker, filmmaker, and multimedia artist, Parth has worked in journalism, clinical mental health and human rights. Today, Parth is the Deputy Principal Coordinator for the Movement for Global Mental Health, and you can find them disrupting global mental health, interrogating the mental health industrial complex, and actively imagining abolitionist futures.   Dr Kelly Rose-Clarke is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Principal Research Fellow in Global Mental Health here at UCL. Kelly is interested in developing and testing mental health interventions for low-resource settings, with a focus on community-based approaches for children and adolescents. In Nepal, Kelly is leading an 8-year programme to evaluate a school-based talking therapy for adolescents with depression. She has worked as a consultant for UNESCO and conducted research for the World Health Organization to inform global mental health policy and programming.   In this episode: The impact of geography and socio-political factors on mental healthHow community-led initiatives can mobilise care during crisesThe intersection of rights and mental health careThe potential for an abolitionist approach to global mental healthWhat global mental health could look like in the coming decades  Hosts:  Xand van Tulleken – Doctor, Writer, and TV Presenter and Professor Rochelle Burgess – Community Health Psychologist and Professor at the UCL Institute for Global Health.   Resources and mentions: Discover the new Global Mental Health MSc at UCL: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/global-mental-health-mscTranscultural Psychosocial Organisation Nepal: https://www.tponepal.org/   “What has disrupted your thinking?” Parth: Book - The Revolution Will Not Be Funded by INCITE! and Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton Kelly: Art - landscapes of East Yorkshire by David Hockney   Production Credits:Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is a podcast from UCL Health of the Public. Recorded remotely and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative. Want to be part of a live recording of Public Health Disrupted?On 30 June 2026, the podcast will be recorded in front of a live audience for the first time at UCL's Bloomsbury Studio. Learn more and get your ticket: https://bloomsburytheatre.com/event/2026/06/public-health-disrupted

In the first episode of Season 6 of Public Health Disrupted, Dr Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess explore why younger generations are drinking less, and what that shift means for public health.   Alcohol consumption among young people has fallen sharply over the past two decades, but the reasons behind this change are complex. Is it greater awareness of alcohol harms, economic pressure, changing social lives, or wider shifts in how young people experience risk and wellbeing?   Joining Xand and Rochelle are Millie Gooch, founder of the Sober Girl Society, and Dr Melissa Oldham from the Department of Behavioural Science and Health at UCL. Together, they unpack what the data tells us, what sobriety and “drinking less” look like in everyday social life, and why community, policy and support systems matter if this trend is to lead to better health outcomes in the long term. In this episode: Why alcohol consumption among young people has fallen in recent decadesHow social media, economic pressure and changing social norms are reshaping drinking cultureThe role of community in helping people navigate social life without alcoholWhy supportive systems are essential for public healthHow policy, regulation and marketing influence our relationship with alcoholHosts:  Xand van Tulleken – Doctor, Writer, and TV Presenter and Rochelle Burgess – Professor of Global Mental Health and Social Justice at the UCL Institute for Global Health.   Resources and mentions: Alcohol Change UK Sober Girl Society    “What has disrupted your thinking?” Millie: Song - Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen Melissa: Book- Wintering by Katherine May   Production Credits: Public Health Disrupted is a podcast from UCL Health of the Public. Recorded remotely and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative. Want to be part of a live recording of Public Health Disrupted?On 30 June 2026, the podcast will be recorded in front of a live audience for the first time at UCL's Bloomsbury Studio. Learn more and get your ticket.

In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, host Rochelle Burgess is flying solo, and dives into the transformative power of play in the context of ageing.  Joined by Rachel Colles, a professional performer and ‘Elderflower’ with Hearts and Minds, and Dr Carrie Ryan, a lecturer in Creative Health at UCL, the discussion explores how playfulness can disrupt conventional narratives surrounding ageing. Rochelle, Rachel, and Carrie challenge the societal tendency to associate play solely with childhood, revealing how embracing play in later life can foster joy, creativity, and meaningful connections. They share insights from their experiences, including engaging with people living with dementia and the profound impact of playful interactions (and bingo!) in care settings.  The conversation highlights the importance of validating emotions, and how play serves as a vital public health intervention, encouraging a shift in perspective on ageing. This episode also touches on the significance of fostering genuine connections, ultimately advocating for a more playful approach to public health. Host: Rochelle Burgess – Community Health Psychologist and Professor at the UCL Institute for Global Health With special thanks to our guests: Rachel Colles - Professional Performer and Elderflower, Hearts and MindsDr Carrie Ryan - Lecturer in Creative Health, UCL Department of Arts and Sciences Resources and mentions: ‘Extravagant Acts for Mature People' by Phoebe Davies (as mentioned at the end of this episode by Dr Carrie Ryan!)

What if the key to better mental health, stronger families, and a more sustainable society was working less? In this episode, Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess explore how reducing the working week could transform not just our work-life balance but public health more broadly. They’re joined by: Joe Ryle – Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, advocating for a shorter working week with no loss of payProfessor Anna Cox – Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at UCL and Head of the eWork Research Group, whose work explores how technology impacts productivity and wellbeing In this episode: How overworking is driving burnout, stress, and poor health outcomesWhat flexible and remote working has taught us post-COVIDThe role of digital technology in balancing work and lifeWhy a shorter week could be good for the environment and the economyWhether AI might finally deliver on the long-promised work-life revolution This episode also asks a deeper question: what would it take to truly shift our culture away from valuing busyness and burnout, and toward health, connection, and rest? Resources and mentions: Four Day Week CampaignBullsh*t Jobs by David GraeberBlack Mirror episodes on the future of work and technology Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is produced by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative and UCL Health of the Public. Read the full show notes and transcript.

In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess tackle the concept of the "nanny state". Alongside guests Dr Adam Briggs and Professor James Wilson, they delve into the delicate balance between government intervention and individual freedom in the realm of public health. The conversation explores how public health policies can sometimes be perceived as overreaching, despite the evidence suggesting that the public largely supports such initiatives. Our guests unpack the historical context of the term "nanny state," its implications, and the ongoing debate about the role of government in promoting health while respecting personal autonomy. Guests: Adam Briggs, Senior Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation. Adam now works in the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme.Professor James Wilson, Professor of Philosophy at UCL. In this episode: The origins and evolution of the "nanny state" rhetoric and its impact on public health discourse.Insights into public opinion on government intervention in health-related issues, including obesity and smoking.The importance of framing public health initiatives in a way that resonates with communities and policymakers alike.How a shift towards prevention can be achieved through approaches that embed health considerations across all areas of government. This conversation invites us all to reconsider the narratives surrounding public health policies and the responsibilities of both the state and communities in fostering a healthier society. Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is produced by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative and UCL Health of the Public. Read the full show notes and transcript.

Hosts Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess dive into how we form beliefs, and how they shape our understanding of critical public health issues. From vaccination hesitancy to climate change, the episode explores the psychological mechanisms that lead to entrenched views and the challenges of changing minds.        Joining them are Mia Forbes Pirie, a leading international mediator, and Dr. Kris De Meyer, Director of the UCL Climate Action Unit. Together, they share their insights on effective communication strategies that prioritise relationship-building over persuasion, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding in discussions surrounding contentious topics.    In this episode: How beliefs are formed and why they can become entrenched. The role of cultural identity in shaping opinions and the fear of social rejection. Practical strategies for engaging with differing viewpoints and fostering meaningful dialogue. Public Health Disrupted is produced by UCL Health of the Public and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

Welcome back to a brand new season of Public Health Disrupted! As Rochelle makes her return to the podcast following maternity leave, we’re excited to present the very first episode of Season 5: a fascinating examination and celebration of the power of movement to foster connection and belonging. This episode will be of particular interest to runners and fans of group or community exercising, or simply those interested in the intersection of public health and community engagement. Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess delve into the transformative world of community fitness events, particularly the ground-breaking success of Parkrun. They explore how grassroots initiatives are reshaping not only individual lives but entire communities by breaking down barriers to exercise and fostering social connections. Joining them are Dr. Flaminia Ronca, leading expert in exercise neuroscience, and Chrissie Wellington OBE, a four-time world Ironman champion and former global head of health and wellbeing for Parkrun.  In this episode: the profound impact of community fitness on mental and emotional wellbeingthe science behind exercise and brain healthinspiring stories of how Parkrun has created inclusive spaces for all. Public Health Disrupted, hosted by Professor Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

The World Health Organisation highlights the tobacco epidemic as one of the greatest public health crises in history, claiming over 8 million lives annually. Over 7 million of these deaths stem from direct tobacco use, while around 1.3 million are due to second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers. The scale of the human and economic tragedy that tobacco imposes is shocking, and preventable. In this month’s episode, our experts Professor Jamie Brown and Hazel Cheeseman discuss the increasing political and public support for a smoke-free generation, proposed legislative changes, and their potential impact on smoking rates and improving the health of the public in the UK. This episode offers valuable insights into the future of tobacco control in the UK for policymakers, public health professionals, and the public.

The development of wastewater systems in the 19th century was one of the greatest achievements of public health, but in recent years there has been growing concern and scrutiny of water quality and sewage pollution. The critical issue of sewage contamination in the UK's rivers and seas is having a profound impact on environmental sustainability and recent reports have urged upgrades in wastewater infrastructure to protect the health of the public. In this month’s episode, our experts James Cheshire (Professor of Geographic Information and Cartography, UCL Geography) and Sam Nichols (Water Quality App Manager, Surfers Against Sewage), analyse the causes, health effects, and innovative mapping techniques used to combat sewage contamination. Listen to understand what action is required from policymakers and the public to address sewage pollution and ensure our waterways are safe and clean for future generations.

In this month’s episode, our experts dive into the exciting world of genetics, exploring the latest technological breakthroughs and innovations. They discuss not only the value of these advancements but also the ethical considerations surrounding them, particularly in how they can enhance the health of the public. Dr Adam Rutherford, bestselling author, broadcaster and lecturer in genetics and society at UCL, shares his wealth of knowledge on the evolution of genetics, and the common misconceptions that persist in the field. Adam delves into the historical context of genetics and its entanglement with eugenics, reminding us of the ethical considerations that must accompany scientific advancement. Prof George Davey Smith, a clinical epidemiologist and director of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, discusses the impact of genetics on the health of the public. He highlights the potential of genetic data to revolutionise healthcare and offers a critical perspective on the consumer genetics market.  Read full show notes

"It's not our children who are disordered, it's the environment in which we're expecting them to operate." In this month’s episode, our experts explore the pressing issue of children's mental health in the UK. With one in five young individuals facing probable mental health disorders, the urgency for effective support systems is undeniable. Joining the conversation are Kate Silverton, renowned broadcaster turned qualified child therapist, and Professor Nicola Walshe, a proponent of climate change and sustainability education. Together, they dissect the challenges faced by schools and parents in supporting children's mental health and the innovative ways to foster well-being through nature and the arts. Kate Silverton shares her insights on the variability of mental health support in schools and the critical need for standardised, professionally trained mental health professionals on-site. She emphasises the importance of understanding the neuroscience behind children's behaviour and offers a sneak peak of some of the practical, science-backed strategies found in her latest book, ‘There’s still no such thing as naughty: parenting for the primary years’. Professor Nicola Walshe discusses her work with the UCL Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education, highlighting the transformative power of combining arts with nature to improve children's mental and emotional well-being. She presents compelling evidence from the Eco-Capabilities project, illustrating how such practices not only benefit the students but also reinvigorate teachers' passion for their profession. This episode is an impassioned call to disrupt the status quo of public health and education systems, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritises emotional well-being and connection to nature as the foundation for learning and growth. Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is produced by UCL Health of the Public, and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

"Is technology the magic bullet for humanitarian aid, or does it come with its own set of ethical dilemmas?" In this episode, hosts Dr Xand van Tulleken and Dr Rochelle Burgess delve into the complex world of humanitarian crises and the transformative role of technology in emergency responses. With the expertise of Professor Maria Kett, an anthropologist with a rich background in disability-inclusive humanitarian aid, and Sarah Spencer, an AI technical consultant navigating the challenging intersection of AI, national security, and public policy, this episode explores the intricate relationship between technology and humanitarian action. From AI’s potential for predicting and containing epidemics, to the potential pitfalls of humanitarian surveillance, our guests discuss how technology is reshaping the humanitarian landscape. They challenge us to consider the ethical implications of data security, consent, and the agency of vulnerable populations whose lives are increasingly datafied. GUESTS Maria Kett - Professor of Humanitarianism and Social Inclusion An anthropologist by training, Maria has extensive expertise in disability-inclusive humanitarian responses. Maria has undertaken research in countries across Africa and Asia, leading on a number of research programmes on disability and international development and is author of over 140 publications. Maria also leads on the humanitarian-focused work for the Global Disability Innovation Hub. She regularly serves as a consultant for numerous bilateral and multilateral donors, including the UK FCDO, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations. Maria is the Programme Director for the new UCL MSc Humanitarian Policy and Practice. Sarah Spencer - Technical Advisor, UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH)Sarah Spencer is a multi-domain expert working at the intersection of technology, global security, and public policy. She advises governments and civil society on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities offered by advanced technologies and is a regular commentator on the politics of technology, AI, and technology for good. She is passionate about unlocking the power of technology to support justice movements and assist the most vulnerable. For more than 20 years, Sarah has supported communities affected by war, disasters, and instability.  Production Credits:Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand van Tulleken is a podcast from UCL Health of the Public. Recorded remotely and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.