Kinesis Magazine: Podcast Director

Hi Kinesis members! I am standing for the position of Podcast Director as I am deeply passionate about science communication through our podcast episodes. I believe I can contribute to the growth of the Kinesis podcast, taking it to the next level! To elevate kinesis into a leading science podcast that makes research accessible and engaging for a diverse audience, inspiring scientific curiosity and a deeper appreciation for science.

Having been a part of the Kinesis podcast family for the past year, we have collaborated on producing our menopause episode (out now!), developing not only in editing and producing audio content, but also effectively communicating within our teams, ensuring an engaging and informative podcast to our listeners. 

I hope to:

• Expand content reach: develop diverse topics in science that cater to both science enthusiasts and our general audience, introducing a mix of expert interviews, listener interaction segments, bonus episodes or behind-the-scene episodes.
• Produce bi-weekly episodes: organise scheduled episodes every other week, allowing for listener consistency.
• Introduce video snippets: increase promotion by recording short video previews of our upcoming episode on our instagram, driving more listeners to our full episodes.
• Fostering collaboration: aim to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where hosts, researchers and editors can contribute to brainstorming episode topics, formats and guest suggestions.

As Treasurer of Kinesis, I had the opportunity to work closely with the podcast team while trying to secure funding for them, which has given me valuable insights into their work. I would now love to join the team and help our podcast grow even more! As an avid podcast listener, I understand what makes a podcast informative and engaging. If I am successfully elected, I will bring innovative ideas and aim to invite researchers from UCL to share insights into their work.

As one of the current Kinesis Magazine Podcast Directors, I have thoroughly enjoyed leading my team of wonderful hosts, researchers and editors in creating episodes on topics like epigenetics and mitochondria. This role has allowed me to utilise my organisation and communication skills as I have been in charge of the logistics and outreach of each episode by contacting interviewees, handling recording arrangements and scheduling team meetings to ensure smooth communication, encourage idea-sharing between our team members and keep us on track with our timeline. I have also introduced seasonal special episodes (coming out at the end of this month!). For next year, I plan to explore a broader range of topics and introduce episodes featuring discussions and debates between multiple speakers, complementing our existing interview style. Additionally, I aim to enhance our social media presence by:
    - Inviting listeners to share their stories around the episode topics
    - Running themed quizzes and audience polls for each episode 
    - Announcing our guests in advance to encourage audience-submitted questions for the interviews
I hope that these initiatives will create a more interactive experience and ensure our listeners feel actively involved in our episodes.
Thank you for reading this far and feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions!
Meanwhile, please check out our new episodes on UCL Kinesis Podcast via Acast or Spotify if you have a moment

Hello! I’m Aaditya, a Biochemistry student with a keen interest in science communication and a passion for all things biology!

Through a bespoke podcast training programme sponsored by Anghami, a popular music streaming service in the Middle East, I worked with fellow creatives to launch a podcast with the support of industry professionals, gaining hands-on experience with all elements of the production pipeline. As a current member of the Kinesis Podcast subcommittee, I applied my knowledge and experience by contributing to this year's releases, helping to create well-researched and engaging episodes. Additionally, I have a proven track record of leadership: I was the President of my school's Student Government, and learned invaluable lessons in effective science communication during my time as Head of Biology for my sixth form’s academic magazine.

As Podcast Director, I would:

• Diversify podcast formats: Explore fresh templates and styles to cater to a broader audience, from bite-sized mini-series and condensed 'explainer' episodes to panel discussions and research deep-dives
• Commit to a consistent upload schedule: Ensure a steady stream of high-quality episodes throughout the year, so there's always an episode for you to look forward to!
• Enhance audience engagement: Create more opportunities for listeners to submit questions and engage with interviewees

Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any questions - I'd love to hear from you!