//podcastplus.net/feed/podcast~81936f232eebdd6517b2f1528b4ff8bc258aaa91df554682a1d9b978f2f1b494 University of Southampton Social Mobility Network brings you The Class Ceiling Podcast. The Class Ceiling Podcast aims to support a greater sense of belonging and inclusivity amongst students and staff at University of Southampton via lived experience stories. Each episode will shine a light on a range of issues relating to social mobility via guest conversations and student and staff round table discussions. Produced and presented by Liam Gifford, Melissa Allada and Daisy Victoria Meadham and edited by Megan Davies (The Curly Assistant). Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:31:15 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2025_02_09_09_04_48_27e5f293-de9c-4e81-b445-f6977ba44c81.mp3 In the first episode of Season 2 of The Class Ceiling, Liam Gifford and Melissa Allada sit down with advocate, activist, and public speaker Ben Hurst for an insightful conversation about supporting young men through the challenges of masculinity, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Ben shares stories from his work in universities and communities where he helps create spaces for young men to open up, challenge stereotypes, and connect in meaningful ways. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity, empathy, and role modelling in fostering growth and understanding, while also tackling the importance of normalising struggles and having honest conversations. You can learn more about the work that Ben and Beyond Equality do here , and can stay in the loop on Instagram @beyond_equality @therealbenhurst . Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:00:34 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2025_02_09_09_04_48_27e5f293-de9c-4e81-b445-f6977ba44c81.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2025_02_09_09_04_48_27e5f293-de9c-4e81-b445-f6977ba44c81.mp3 In the first episode of Season 2 of The Class Ceiling, Liam Gifford and Melissa Allada sit down with advocate, activist, and public speaker Ben Hurst for an insightful conversation about supporting young men through the challenges of masculinity, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Ben shares stories from his work in universities and communities where he helps create spaces for young men to open up, challenge stereotypes, and connect in meaningful ways. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity, empathy, and role modelling in fostering growth and understanding, while also tackling the importance of normalising struggles and having honest conversations. You can learn more about the work that Ben and Beyond Equality do here , and can stay in the loop on Instagram @beyond_equality @therealbenhurst . Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:00:34 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2025_02_09_09_04_48_27e5f293-de9c-4e81-b445-f6977ba44c81.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2024_05_02_10_51_28_61151225-b279-4038-839a-bc092f6c157c.mp3 In this tenth and my final episode of The Class Ceiling Podcast, Liam Gifford and I speak to Deputy Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Professor Damien Page. Damien is founder of the Working Class Leaders and aspiring leaders in Higher Education network. We spoke about perceptions and attitudes to working-class professionals working in Higher Education in the UK. Thank you for listening to my final podcast interview. I know that it will continue to thrive and grow with your new host, watch this space to find out more. Hosting the Class Ceiling Podcast with Daisy and more recently Liam, a been a privilege, yet now is the time to pass the baton, please do keep listening and whatever you do or wherever you are, ‘stay classy’. Thu, 02 May 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2024_05_02_10_51_28_61151225-b279-4038-839a-bc092f6c157c.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2024_05_02_10_51_28_61151225-b279-4038-839a-bc092f6c157c.mp3 In this tenth and Heather Pasero's final episode of The Class Ceiling Podcast, Liam Gifford and Heather spoke to Deputy Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Professor Damien Page. Damien is founder of the Working Class Leaders and Aspiring Leaders in Higher Education network. They speak about perceptions and attitudes to working-class professionals working in Higher Education in the UK. Thu, 02 May 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2024_05_02_10_51_28_61151225-b279-4038-839a-bc092f6c157c.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_12_15_17_08_27_bc776e09-62f7-43f4-9eaf-cbcbf7123d52.mp3 This shorter episode of the Class Ceiling Podcast was recorded at the launch event for The Class Ceiling Photography exhibition. The Class Ceiling is a photography exhibition showcasing the working-class experiences of a range of students, staff and alumni of the University of Southampton. Produced and curated by the University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network, it offers a glimpse into the lived experiences of its contributors, celebrating who they are and what they bring to the institution and our city. The Social Mobility Network is a dedicated space for like-minded students and staff who self-define as having a low socioeconomic or working class background. Members of the Social Mobility Network can inform and create cultural change that will benefit all students and staff at the University of Southampton. The Class Ceiling exhibition is the Social Mobility Network’s first presentation at John Hansard Gallery and runs until 3rd February Fri, 15 Dec 2023 17:12:20 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_12_15_17_08_27_bc776e09-62f7-43f4-9eaf-cbcbf7123d52.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_12_15_17_08_27_bc776e09-62f7-43f4-9eaf-cbcbf7123d52.mp3 This shorter episode of the Class Ceiling Podcast was recorded at the launch event for The Class Ceiling Photography exhibition. The Class Ceiling is a photography exhibition showcasing the working-class experiences of a range of students, staff and alumni of the University of Southampton. Produced and curated by the University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network, it offered a glimpse into the lived experiences of its contributors, celebrating who they are and what they bring to the institution and our city. The Social Mobility Network is a dedicated space for like-minded students and staff who self-define as having a low socioeconomic or working class background. Members of the Social Mobility Network can inform and create cultural change that will benefit all students and staff at the University of Southampton. The Class Ceiling exhibition was the Social Mobility Network’s first presentation at John Hansard Gallery. Fri, 15 Dec 2023 17:12:20 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_12_15_17_08_27_bc776e09-62f7-43f4-9eaf-cbcbf7123d52.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_07_11_13_12_59_31269e34-97fd-456d-9cd4-4eb8adf36902.mp3 As an extended celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on Thursday 15 June, The University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network hosted the Social Mobility Festival 2023. The conference spotlighted authentic voices and provide the opportunity to challenge pre-existing assumptions. Held on Social Mobility Awareness Day, attendees contributed to discussions about how social mobility can help institutions and how collaboration with different stakeholders, including students and staff, can help to ingrain widening participation at all levels. The conference covered the current landscape and looked to the future. Speakers included representatives from the Sutton Trust, Zero Gravity and The Brilliant Club. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:14:00 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_07_11_13_12_59_31269e34-97fd-456d-9cd4-4eb8adf36902.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_07_11_13_12_59_31269e34-97fd-456d-9cd4-4eb8adf36902.mp3 As an extended celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on Thursday 15 June, The University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network hosted the Social Mobility Festival 2023. The conference spotlighted authentic voices and provide the opportunity to challenge pre-existing assumptions. Held on Social Mobility Awareness Day, attendees contributed to discussions about how social mobility can help institutions and how collaboration with different stakeholders, including students and staff, can help to ingrain widening participation at all levels. The conference covered the current landscape and looked to the future. Speakers included representatives from the Sutton Trust, Zero Gravity and The Brilliant Club. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:14:00 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_07_11_13_12_59_31269e34-97fd-456d-9cd4-4eb8adf36902.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_05_02_18_58_44_bbf9f44f-120a-47b0-a9e3-213b7415a7e6.mp3 For this Cost of Living Crisis special episode we spoke to University of Southampton Associate Director of Widening Participation, Florence Harvey and Aycha Ates-Di Adamo SUSU VP for Welfare and Community about the impact on students and support available during this cost-of-living crisis. We also had the enormous privilege of speaking to the Leader of Southampton City Council, Satvir Kaur who shared her thoughts, beliefs and action relating to the cost-of-living crisis. Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:43 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_05_02_18_58_44_bbf9f44f-120a-47b0-a9e3-213b7415a7e6.mp3 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_05_02_18_58_44_bbf9f44f-120a-47b0-a9e3-213b7415a7e6.mp3 For this Cost of Living Crisis special episode we spoke to University of Southampton Associate Director of Widening Participation, Florence Harvey and Aycha Ates-Di Adamo SUSU VP for Welfare and Community about the impact on students and support available during this cost-of-living crisis. We also had the enormous privilege of speaking to the Leader of Southampton City Council, Satvir Kaur who shared her thoughts, beliefs and action relating to the cost-of-living crisis. Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:43 +0000 https://media.rss.com/classceiling/2023_05_02_18_58_44_bbf9f44f-120a-47b0-a9e3-213b7415a7e6.mp3