The Kitchen Sessions - Past Lectures

The Power of False Confessions

Dr Glenys Holt, Lecturer in Psychology

An introduction to one of the most intriguing topics in forensic psychology. Most people think that they would never confess to a crime that they did not commit, yet false confessions are not a rare occurrence. Why are confessions so compelling that jurors find them difficult to ignore, even when the confession does not match the crime?

Animal Psychology: A Taster

Dr Lindsay Murray, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

This lecture will give you an insight into animal psychology and the kind of work you can go on to do with animal psychology, using examples to give you a real taste of the subject.  

Christian Views of the Afterlife

Paul Middleton, Prof. of New Testament and Early Christianity

Exploring the development of the belief in an afterlife in the ancient world, and the development of those beliefs in ancient Judaism and Early Christianity. Paul will also consider the ethical implications of contemporary beliefs in or representations of the afterlife, asking whether or not belief in an afterlife helps people live good lives. 

Why We Need Advertising

Chris Hart, Senior Lecturer in Advertising 

Using projective techniques (a research technique), this lecture will ask you to imagine what the world, your world, would be like without advertising.

Reading Around: Literature and You

Richard Leahy, Lecturer in English Literature 

An examination of the influence of literature on society, culture and the self over the past 150 years; what is the value of studying it in our crazy modern world?

Sports Participation in Scandinavia: What can we learn in the UK?

Professor Ken Green, Head of Department, Sport and Exercise Sciences

Ken brings his wealth of research experience and work experience as a Visiting Professor at a Norwegian university for over a decade, to analyse the key difference in sport and physical activity participation between the UK and Scandinavia. 

The Nutritional Requirements of Professional Female Football Players

Dr Sam Moss, Senior Lecturer, Sport and Exercise Sciences

As professional female football players have high training and competition demands, appropriate nutrition practices are essential for optimal adaptation and recovery. In some cases, players are unable to ingest sufficient energy to meet the demands of exercise, while also maintaining key body processes, which can lead to disruptive consequences if the low energy status persists over time.

Simulation in Children and Young People's Nursing

Dr Kate Knight, Senior Lecturer in Children's Nursing

Simulated practice learning is an exciting part of pre-registration nursing education. This lecture will explore the types of simulation Children's Nursing students will enjoy. 

Peer Mentoring in Criminal Justice

Dr Gill Buck, Senior Lecturer, Social Work 

Social Work invites us to explore ways to work alongside people to eradicate the barriers they face in their life. As well as teaching, Gill researches ways of working that are led by people experiencing social disadvantage and has recently published a book on Peer Mentoring in Criminal Justice. This talk will introduce the approach and how it is useful for social workers. 

Defining Clinical Violence: The Problem of Complexity

Professor Andrew Lovell, Professor, Learning Disability Nursing 

How do we currently define clinical violence, especially in the context of learning disability, and how might we better define it? This is followed by a consideration of how this helps us to re-think how best to work closely with distressed individuals with a propensity for violence.

Hidden Narratives of Medieval Art

Dr Katherine Wilson , Senior Lecturer in History 

This talk will explore the hidden narratives behind medieval artworks, revealing that far from reflecting their owners’ power and status, these objects conveyed the uncertainty of everyday life and the fragility of princely rule during the Middle Ages.​

The Physiology of Breaking the Marathon World Record 

Dr Jamie Highton, Associate Professor in Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology

This presentation will assess the physiology of elite distance running – examining what it takes to break a marathon world record. 

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Physical Education in the 'New' Schools 

Gareth Williams , Lecturer, Sport and Exercise Sciences 

A research-based presentation looking at how PE can differ from school to school within the ever-changing landscape for schools in England. Drawing upon theoretical perspectives from Foucault and Goffman, the talk will have a focus on attempting to understand both the behaviours of middle management and whole school identity changes, within Free schools. 

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

Dr Richard Millington , Programme Leader and Lecturer in German

A short lecture on the Berlin Wall and the events leading up to its fall; a subject Richard covers with his students of German.

Aubrey Beardsley and Disability Studies

Dr Alex Tankard , Lecturer in English Literature

A discussion on English author and illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, connected to Alex's recent appearance on a BBC4 documentary, Scandal and Beauty 

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Contemporary French Pop Music

Professor Timo Obergoker, Professor of French and Francophone Cultural Studies.

The Long Term Let Down of Environmental Law and its Link with COVID-19

Ash Murphy, Lecturer in Law

Exploring the general failings of environmental law and its link with COVID-19, from animal abuse to air pollution, asking, if we had better environmental law would this virus be relatively inconsequential? 

Tourism 2020: All Change Please 

Dr Maeve Marmion, Head of Department, Experience Economy 

A reflection on the ways in which with COVID-19 crisis has impacted international tourism and what changes we are likely to see, and need, going forward. This lecture will discuss tourist behaviour and attitudes to risk, what tourism businesses may need to consider to manage change, and the importance of innovation and technology. 

Drug Misuse: The Long-Term Effects on the User's Health

Shaun Speed, Senior Lecturer, Public Health and Wellbeing 

This presentation will look at the extent of substance misuse across the world and its long-term health implications, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of the complex interplay between drug misuse, life limiting illness and end of life care. 

Once Upon a Time ... Use of Story in Art Therapy

Manda Thompson, Senior Lecturer, Art Therapy

From her studio, Manda will demonstrate how she encourages people to look imaginatively at images, sharing a case where both parent and child used story to talk about feelings of belonging, threat and protection to better understand the others fears and hopes. 

Tourism in Cuba

Dr Christopher Hull, Programme Leader for Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies. 

Many foreigners perceive the tropical Caribbean island of Cuba and its ongoing communist revolution as both frozen in time and yet on the cusp of change. This talk will analyse this destination's enduring appeal to ask what the future holds for both Cuba and mass tourism there.

Major Investigations: An Introduction to the world of a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)

Simon Price, Lecturer in Policing 

The British Police Service works to tried and tested formulae when it comes to such things as the investigation of homicide. 

This session will outline the route of an investigation from the perspective of the SIO, giving an insight into how our lecturers, such as Simon, will encourage students on the BSc (Hons) Community Policing and Criminal Investigation programme to open their minds to numerous investigative possibilities and give consideration to the investigative tactics and options that are available to the modern day investigator.