Podcasting in education: the ReSearching Diversity Podcast

The (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast focuses on cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity topics. Each episode features an expert interview, discussions of academic research, and reflections on developments in social sciences. Vietze and her colleague’s vision behind the podcast was to spark awareness and discussions among students about diversity and to make the learning process more interactive and accessible compared to more traditional lecture-based methods.

Bringing theory to life with audio

Using podcasts in courses is an interesting way for educators to provide students with alternative ways of learning. For example, the (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast is a supplementary resource, which is used for pre-class preparation. Students can engage with course material in a more fun and approachable way. Vietze explains that the episodes are usually no longer than 40 minutes. 

Each episode is built up in the same way: past, present, and future. It uniquely engages students with the content. In the ‘past’, students learn about the guest’s journey as a researcher, the ‘present’ focuses on their recent work, and the ‘future’ invites listeners to think critically about where the field can go next. Topics discussed in the future section might include themes like open science, interdisciplinary work or underrepresented groups in academia.

“We allow students to engage with difficult topics independently. Students can prepare their class in a more relaxed and less rigid way than traditional ways of educating”, Vietze says. “Using podcast as a format aims to lower the threshold for students. And they are encouraged to listen to experts at any time of the day”.

A flexible educational resource

Oftentimes, university students learn in a rather passive way by merely listening to educators or reading endless literature lists. The podcast changes this approach because it’s a tool that actively encourages students to reflect on the material in a deeper way. “It allows for a more flexible learning experience that even fits in the student’s lifestyle. They can engage with the topic during their commute or while they are exercising. It makes it all easier to fit into their daily routines.” 

“We just started using podcasts as an educational tool, but the early results show that students who engage with the podcasts as a preparatory tool are better able to jump right into meaningful discussions in class.” Vietze says that these short formats encourage students to engage without feeling overwhelmed. In comparison to traditional readings, which can be lengthy, the podcast format is more attractive. Students can save time as they can listen to a podcast during free moments.”

Vietze also emphasizes that the podcast’s accessibility features are key to making them user-friendly for education. You can add detailed metadata on the website, such as summaries, tags, timestamps or a breakdown of topics that have been discussed. It allows instructors to easily find and integrate meaningful segments it into their courses. They can select specific episodes that fit with the course materials they are teaching. Therefore, the podcast becomes an adaptable educational resource. Apart from educational sciences, the flexibility also allows educators to implement the podcast in other disciplines in social sciences.

“Other teachers have given us great feedback. They appreciate how easy it is to incorporate the podcasts into their lessons. The podcast works as both a supplemental tool and a standalone resource”, Vietze says.

The broader impact beyond the classroom

Aside for using the (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast as course material, it is also about sparking conversations that can lead to meaningful societal change. Because of addressing issues related to diversity and inclusion, this podcast also serves as a valuable resource for people who want to expand their understanding of these topics.

“Students can hear more about the struggles but also victories of researchers who are actively working toward a more inclusive and diverse academic environment. It helps students to understand that research is not just about answering questions, but also about making the world a little bit better,” Vietze explains. “The researchers can even become a sort of role model to the students, as they might relate to their stories.”

The (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast highlights important topics like intersectionality and representation in academia. Vietze hopes that students are encouraged to also think of their own role in academic research (if they continue working in this field). “Hopefully students are inspired to share their own ideas and perspectives, not just as future academics, but also as citizens in a world that needs more inclusivity”, Vietze says.

The future of podcasting in education

To date, already four universities across the Netherlands and Germany are actively using the (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast in their teaching. Some courses offer it as an optional tool, while in other courses it is a mandatory part of the syllabus. As Vietze and her colleagues continue to explore its potential, the upcoming years are dedicated to expanding the use of the podcast in other disciplines (Psychology, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Teacher Education), testing its impact in different academic contexts (universities and universities of applied sciences) and among students and teachers.

Vietze believes that the (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast illustrates the evolution of education, where more traditional learning methods are being supplemented or sometimes even replaced by more accessible formats such as podcasts. Students engage with educational content in a way that fits their lives a bit better and which is more fun, engaging and flexible than traditional ways of learning. “I think it is good to think about combining traditional methods with new media, such as podcasts”, Vietze explains. “It allows for more interactive learning and this podcast helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students get the opportunity to learn from the real experiences of scientists, what motivates them and what keeps them going, rather than reading an abstract text.”

Deliverables

Besides recording podcast episodes, the aim was to contribute to Open Education Resources (OER) by making examples, materials and instructions for using podcasts in higher education openly available online. All educational materials related to the (Re)Searching Diversity Podcast are available through the OSF.

More information on the guests and episodes can be found on the podcast website, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can listen to all episodes via Spotify, Apple podcast, and Youtube (with subtitles).