Podcast of the Month – Whose Power?
This month, we’re proud to celebrate the second series of our first co-production podcast – Whose Power?
Created in collaboration with The Preservative Party and Professor Abigail Harrison Moore, Whose Power? Is a thought-provoking podcast that discusses the dynamics of participatory research and the role of power in creating lasting change.
Series two introduces a new layer of richness and insight through the voices of Preservative Party mentors Lauren, Rahesa and Tae. These three young leaders host the series, with support from Abigail Harrison Moore who introduces and gives her reflections on what they have learned through the process at the end of every episode. Alongside other members of the Preservative Party, a youth-led collective of curators and change-makers, they guide listeners through a compelling exploration of what it means to share power, build trust, and engage in genuine collaboration.
At the heart of this series is the question: what happens when we centre those whose voices are often unheard? Through honest, insightful conversations, Whose Power? tackles some of the most critical issues in research and community engagement today, including how we create and maintain safe spaces, amplify marginalised voices, and build relationships that are grounded in care and respect.
Whose Power? Podcast Artwork designed by Krissie Brighty-Glover and Tae from The Preservative Party
Supported by the Research England Participatory Research Fund 2024–25, this new series takes participatory research beyond the theoretical. By drawing on the real-life experiences and reflections of young mentors and their collaborators, it illustrates how working collectively can not only generate new knowledge but also reshape the research process itself.
One of the most exciting aspects of Whose Power? is its use of podcasting as both a platform and a method of participatory research. The conversations are raw, reflective, and often challenging, offering an open space for dialogue, storytelling, and insight that might not fit neatly into traditional academic formats.
Listeners can expect to hear about the power of trust, the tensions and rewards of co-creation, and how participatory practices can transform institutions, relationships, and even the researchers themselves. It’s a bold and refreshing take on what research can and should be.
In episode 2 you hear from our founder and producer, Christine Garrington, about how podcasting can amplify the voices of young people.
Even though we’re in this sort of studio setting with microphones and headphones, and that can feel quite intimidating at first, but I think when you realise that this is another safe space where we can talk about the things that matter to us, and where we can amplify your voices, particularly, we can create an environment where you get to speak and say what you think and what you know that others can learn from as well. And that’s part of what we’re trying to do here. I think we all just relax, right?
Christine Garrington, Whose Power? S2E p2Episode one dropped on June 4th, and new episodes continue to build on this thoughtful and timely series. Whether you’re working in research, education, youth engagement, or simply interested in how meaningful change happens, Whose Power? offers valuable lessons and reflections from those living and shaping it.
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform and follow The Preservative Party on LinkedIn for updates on future episodes and projects.
Research Podcasts offer podcast production and training for researchers and academics. If you have an idea, we can make it a reality.
Lauren White, Assistant Producer
