In this episode of The Learning Curve, host Dr Shannon Babbie sits down with Dr Charlaine Simpson, Head of Postgraduate Taught Professional Learning. Moving beyond technical jargon, the discussion focuses on how Aberdeen’s Postgraduate Leadership Program prepares public and third-sector professionals to step into leadership roles in an ever-changing world.

The conversation challenges traditional, system-heavy management frameworks by placing ethical, compassionate, and social justice-oriented leadership at its core. Dr. Simpson outlines the program's unique structure, including work-based change projects and case-study "dilemmas" that empower students to build real-world confidence, analyse policy, and prioritize people over processes.

We are heading outside the classroom walls for Episode 9 of The Learning Curve. Joining us are School of Education experts Dr Elizabeth Curtis and Dr Catherine Francis to discuss why outdoor learning is far more than an occasional field trip—it is a fundamental entitlement for learners.

The conversation considers how moving out of the classroom fosters inclusion, connects academic theory to lived experience, and relies on an "enacted" rather than an "implemented" curriculum.

From "twig dancing" in the Botanic Garden to finding the curriculum bubbling up in local cemeteries, this episode challenges educators to break free from the traditional four walls, adopt slow pedagogies, and practice a little professional bravery.

"What is the risk of never venturing outside of the classroom to learn?... Teaching and learning should be about being alive." — Dr Cathy Francis

In this episode of The Learning Curve, host Dr Shannon Babbie sits down with Colette Savage, Programme Director for the MSc in Mindfulness at the University of Aberdeen School of Education, to explore the transformative power of Mindfulness.

The conversation delves into how mindfulness serves as a vital tool for both students and teachers, moving beyond its reputation as a "buzzword" to become a practical foundation for emotional regulation, attention, and mental resilience. Savage discusses her current research into the "role of the body" in teaching and explains how the University’s unique, fully online MSc program balances academic evidence with experiential practice to support professionals across diverse global industries.