City St George’s, University of London students work with UNFPA to launch podcast series on women’s issues

MA Podcasting students at City St George’s, University of London have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to launch a five-part podcast about the global efforts to advance gender equality and empower women and girls.

Launching on Monday 13 October on all major podcast platforms, the series Women’s World: Equity by Design focuses on five key themes: Investment, Sport, Disability, Women’s Health and Technology.

Developed as part of a live project in collaboration with UNFPA, the series gave City St George’s students the opportunity to work directly with the UN agency, gaining hands-on experience in editorial development, production management and storytelling for social impact.

Each episode was co-hosted by Dr Nigina Muntean, Chief of Innovation at UNFPA, and Lalita Taylor, BBC Executive Producer and Chair of BBC WiSTEM.

The series is presented by actress Rachel Shelley, whose acting credits include the TV series The L Word and Oscar-nominated Bollywood epic Lagaan.

Brett Spencer, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Centre of Podcasting Excellence at City St George’s, University of London, oversaw the editorial and production. He said:

“The UNFPA has significant impact, and highlighting these issues and working with a global organisation like the UN shows how podcasting can be a positive influence on the world.

“We’re proud to have supported our students in getting the experience of working on a high-profile public-facing project, which is a great credit on the CV as they look for their first steps in the industry.”

Chloe Sackur, MA Podcasting student from the graduating class of 2024/25, took part in the project. She said:

“Working on this podcast was hugely rewarding for all of us. We had the unique opportunity to co-produce an original series that raises awareness about the challenges women and girls continue to face across a range of areas, such as domestic violence, discrimination in accessing healthcare or simply finding football boots that fit properly.

“We know listeners will be inspired by the stories of women who are pioneering change and helping to close the gender gap at every level.

“We gained valuable experience producing an original series for a high-profile organisation, giving us insight into every aspect of series development, from first creative discussions to final delivery.

“We coordinated interviews with many incredible guests across multiple time zones, recorded with our talented narrator Rachel Shelley, and developed our technical skills to a professional level.

“We’re excited for the podcast’s release and hope it contributes to creating a fairer world for women and girls everywhere.”

Dr Muntean added:

“Podcasts have a unique power to connect people and ignite change.

“Through this collaboration, UNFPA and City St George’s are empowering the next generations of gender equity and women’s health champions.

“Together, we’re showcasing the transformative potential of innovation and storytelling, driving meaningful action for a more equitable future for women and girls. Together, we are re-designing the world.”

The episodes release coincides with the World Health Summit in Berlin at which Dr Muntean will moderate a panel on the topic of Women’s Health – Global Wealth.

Her session will bring together global leaders, policymakers and innovators to discuss how bold investments in women’s health can yield transformative social and economic returns.

The alignment between the launch and the Summit reflects the shared mission of both initiatives: to champion women’s health, equality and empowerment on a global scale.

The podcast project builds on City St George’s reputation for innovative, real-world learning within its School of Communication and Creativity, which encompasses Journalism, Media, Culture and Creative Industries, and Performing Arts.

The collaboration marks another milestone in City St George’s commitment to industry-led education and storytelling that drives positive change.

The UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

The series’ release alongside the Global Health Summit reinforces the global call to invest in women’s health as a foundation for equality, innovation and prosperity.