A new podcast from the from the Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education (SIME) in Lancaster University Management School provides a look into value of connections and collaborations in building a higher education experience.

Insight Out: Stories from the SIME Community, brings fresh energy to the world of higher education storytelling thanks to the creativity of two MSc Marketing students, co-hosts Vlada Sudavtsova and Phuong Anh Nghiem.

“We wanted the name to reflect what the series is really about,” said Vlada. “It’s about people sharing their experiences openly – and the impact those insights can have.”

The series offers candid, conversational accounts from educators and professional staff from across Lancaster University who are part of SIME. Each story explores how scholarship and innovation influence teaching practice, professional growth, and a sense of belonging within the university community.

Professor Radka Newton, Director of SIME, who features in the first episode, said: “Listeners can expect a wide variety of voices and themes. For example, one episode explores the challenges and rewards of being an early career researcher and how SIME can help shape both confidence and career direction. Another highlights how experimenting with teaching innovations, from using video in the classroom to business simulations like Markstrat, can enrich student learning.

“Elsewhere, professional services colleagues share what it means to feel part of a scholarship community and how this has opened up new opportunities to contribute.

“Together, the stories show how SIME acts as a catalyst: creating space for collaboration, building connections across departments, and sparking ideas that ripple far beyond the classroom.”

Beyond individual episodes, Insight Out showcases a bigger theme, the value of centres like SIME in higher education. By bringing people together to exchange ideas, experiment, and reflect, these communities help staff and students alike grow personally and professionally.

Co-host Phuong Anh said: “We wanted to capture the spirit of SIME – the openness, the curiosity, and the way people support each other. That’s what listeners will hear in every episode.”

Insight Out episodes will be released every Wednesday, with the first season made up of 10 episodes.

Professor Newton said: “Whether you’re an educator, researcher, student, or simply curious about how innovation happens in teaching and learning, the series offers fresh perspectives and inspiring journeys to spark new ideas.

You can listen to episodes of Insight Out and subscribe via your usual podcast platform here: pod.co/insight-out