Will millennials ever be able to afford a house and does prison ever work?
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These are just some of the questions asked by students that world-class academics from the University of Wollongong tackle in a new podcast series.
These experts provide the answers to better inform the Can You Tell Me Why? Surprising Answers To Difficult Questions (CYTMW) hosts Hannah Laxton-Koonce and William Verity.
The eight-episode series, which is now available on Apple Podcasts and other streaming services, complements UOW’s existing storytelling platform, The Stand.
Veteran journalist Verity said UOW researchers are engaging in the issues that affect everyday lives.
“By engaging directly with researchers, and bringing our curiosity to their work, Hannah and I hope to unshackle the exciting ideas and discoveries from the narrow confines of academia,” he said.
“In a world that's saturated with ill-informed opinion, how refreshing it is to hear the views of well-informed, passionate, independent thinkers talking about issues that confront us all.
“And what better way to present those ideas than with a podcast? Interesting, informed, intellectual, irreverent ... what more could you ask?”
Co-host and UOW journalism alumna Hannah Laxton-Koonce said Can You Tell Me Why? was an incredible project to be a part of.
“Every episode presented us with new and interesting dilemmas. I hope our listeners have as much fun tackling the questions as we did.”
UOW’s decision to start the podcast series was influenced by recent research which showed that close to one in three Australians have listened to a podcast.
Strategic marketing and communications director Emily Osborne said the university was keen to test new and innovative ways of reaching audiences with information they would value.
“Audiences are hungry for evidence-based answers but it’s up to us to reach them, to do that it’s no longer enough to tell audiences about our expertise, we have to show them,” Ms Osborne said.
“The popularity of podcasting is self-evident and it was logical that we’d test the water. We wanted to do it in a way that that was accessible, informative and entertaining.”
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
