Reflection on the 2025/26 Fireside Conversations

By Dr Phoebe Teh, Reader in Social Computing

Over the past year, it has been a real privilege to host the Fireside Conversations series, bringing together colleagues from across both faculties to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration in an informal and engaging setting. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our invited speakers for generously contributing their time, setting aside half an hour each month to draw us into thoughtful, and often unexpected, conversations that have benefited us all.

January 

We began in January with Tom Rozario, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, who introduced us to Corpus Linguistics and Counselling, opening up new perspectives on how linguistic analysis can intersect with human-centred practices. His session not only broadened our understanding of corpus methodologies but also encouraged meaningful dialogue on how language reflects emotional and therapeutic dimensions.

February

In February, Nick Bate, Lecturer English Language, led a fascinating session on Deception, Language, and Culture, which resonated strongly with ongoing research interests within the group. This conversation has since grown into a fruitful collaboration, and Nick is now hoping to embark on his PhD journey within the Computing team under my supervision.

March 

March brought Karen Heald, Professor of Interdisciplinary Art Practice, who shared her innovative interdisciplinary work combining poetics, linguistics, and digital art. Her ability to translate complex ideas into visual and artistic forms on the computer screen sparked new ways of thinking about research communication and creative practice.

April

In April, Dr David Sparke, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, guided us through a discussion on Climate Change, encouraging us to reflect on this global challenge from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives. His session prompted us to consider how diverse approaches, ranging from data analysis and engineering to AI, can contribute to addressing complex societal issues.

May

In May, Yuriy Vagapov, Professor of Electrical Engineering, shared valuable insights on how to encourage students to publish papers, drawing from his extensive experience. His practical advice and reflections on mentoring offered useful strategies for supporting student research development.

June 

Finally, Professor Anne Nortcliffe’s June session focused on developing research capability through higher education, inspiring us to think more deeply about our own academic journeys and how we nurture research skills in others.

Across all sessions, the Fireside Conversations have created a relaxed and open space for dialogue, whether through video, slides, or informal discussion. They have allowed us to connect across disciplines, exchange ideas, and explore new research directions together.

Participants' feedback includes:

“As a new member of staff at Wrexham, I have found these conversations particularly valuable for learning about the range of research taking place across the university.  They have provided an excellent opportunity to meet other research-active colleagues and identify potential collaborations that align with my own research interests.

I have benefited from advice shared by more experienced colleagues, particularly on involving students in research projects and supporting them through the publication process based on their Master's dissertations.

I really like the format of the sessions. The conversations feel natural and provide the flexibility for interesting discussions to develop beyond the main topic, making each session engaging, insightful and enjoyable.”

If you are interested in contributing to or shaping future conversations, we warmly invite you to join the discussion through the Non-profit Social Computing Hub which aims to bring researchers together to communicate, collaborate, and inspire. Please contact me via Phoey.Teh@wrexham.ac.uk.