Periodically – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Manami and Charlie are joined by Dr Jenny Maunder, a physical chemistry-based lecturer at the University of Durham. As a senior demonstrator, Jenny provides a unique perspective on the impact of menstrual health on both students and staff. The trio discuss the importance of training for demonstrators, focusing on understanding menstruation and potential strategies for making menstrual health a less taboo topic.

(1:12) Introducing Jenny
(7:45) Navigating Menstruation and Career Pressures
(18:04) Having Open Conversations
(26:06) Balancing Lifestyle and Menstrual Health
(33:50) Creating a Supportive Academic Environment

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a third-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Josie and Felicity are joined by Kelly Britton, a DPhil student in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford, and Dr Sarah Rawe, a lecturer in chemistry at the Technological University Dublin.

Listen as they discuss the realities of experiencing perimenopause while also dealing with the pressures of academia and personal life. They also discuss their symptoms, the impact on their lives, and the importance of having open conversations about these issues.

(1:45) Balancing Academia and Parenthood
(7:10) Miscarriage and Mental Health
(16:23) Navigating Perimenopause
(33:47) Breaking Generational Taboos

About the hosts:

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a third-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a great step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a third-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.

Although the pill is widely regarded as a contraceptive, with an estimated 70% of menstruators in Britain having used the pill at some stage in their lives, a study suggests that 31% of users take the pill as a method of treating period pain and 28% to regulate their menstrual cycle. As such, when discussing the effects that periods have on. the undergraduate experience, it is important to consider the impact that the pill has.

Join Manami, Felicity and Charlie as they discuss the pill and how taking the pill has affected their experience of studying at Oxford.

(0:53) Introduction
(4:48) Positive Impacts of the Pill
(7:30) Complications
(13:02) The Pill and Unsolicited Advice

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a second-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!

When periods and exams overlap, students face pain whilst taking the exams, issues with mental health and even in some cases episodes of fainting, potentially compromising their exam results. With 50% of the cohort being affected, could more consideration by the exam board improve the exam experience? Join Manami, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more!

(0:53) Introduction
(2:25) Periods and exam disadvantage
(4:36) Mitigating circumstances
(7:17) The knock-on effect
(10:02) Impact on revision
(11:00) How departments can help

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a second-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

In this week's episode, we're talking about all things labs! Standing at a fume hood all day can be exhausting for anyone, but what about when you get your period? Join Lottie, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more!

(0:51) Introduction
(1:35) Time Pressures in Labs
(5:33) Periods and Productivity
(10:12) Communicating Challenges
(13:32) Availability of Period Products
(18:09) Demonstrator Responsibilities

About the hosts:
Lottie: Hiya, I am Lottie and I am in my 3rd year (about to begin sitting my final exams). I have really enjoyed working on this podcast, especially as I am interested in how we better support students with their studies in chemistry once they arrive at university here. 

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a second-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

Periodically, the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry!

Each week, over this series of six episodes, we here at the University of Oxford will be taking a deep-dive into just how periods have affected us in tutorials, exams, labs and just generally studying at undergrad. We want to talk about how periods can sometimes just get in the bloody way!

Periodically is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry Equality and Diversity fund.

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Sofia and Lottie are joined by Chiara Cocco, a postdoctoral research associate at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus at Heriot-Watt University, to discuss the research that's being undertaken by initiatives like the EDI Caucus to investigate the impact of menstrual health in research and innovation.

Listen to the episode for more on the impact of menstrual health on work, the need for supportive policies, the importance of open dialogue, and how workplaces can adapt to better accommodate those who menstruate.

(1:28) What is the EDI Caucus?
(7:35) The response to the EDI
(24:04) Menstruation and Fieldwork
(29:34) The discourse surrounding "Period Leave"

About the hosts:

Sofia: My name is Sofia and I'm a fourth-year Chemistry student at Oxford. I am also the co-founder of The Oxford Period, a campaign for access to free period products across the University.

Lottie: Hiya, I am Lottie and I am in my fourth-year. I have really enjoyed working on this podcast, especially as I am interested in how we better support students with their studies in chemistry once they arrive at university here.

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Manami and Charlie are joined by Dr. Jenny Burnham, a chemistry teaching specialist at the University of Sheffield, about the challenges women face in balancing their reproductive health and a career in academia.

The conversation offers a candid look at the realities of menstrual health, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and part-time work. Jenny speaks openly about her personal experiences with reproductive health, from the difficulties of trying for a baby to the impact of menopause on her career.

Want to learn more? Check out the RSC Breaking Barriers Report here.

(3:10) The impact of menstrual health
(5:42) Pregnancy in academia
(12:08) Addressing the leaky pipeline in chemistry academia
(19:29) Part-time work and career progression
(28:03) Adjustments for a truly equitable workplace

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a third-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Felicity and Josie engage in an enlightening discussion with guests Liv and Lauren from the SASHA Society (Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault), about the work that SASHA does and how they campaign for change at the University of Leeds. 

Liv and Lauren, also share their personal experiences of living with endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), the struggles they faced in receiving accurate diagnosis and the impacts on their everyday lives and studies.

They touch on the stigma associated with periods, the lack of sufficient medical support, and the need for more research and awareness. The conversation also delves into the importance of community support and the need for societal change in understanding and acknowledging the severity of these conditions.

Find out more about SASHA here.

(1:05) SASHA Society
(1:57) Liv and Lauren's journey with menstrual health
(11:28) Navigating university life
(13:05) Breaking the stigma
(18:06) Looking towards the future

About the hosts:

Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a third-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a third-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a great step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition which affects one in ten people with periods in the UK. However, endometriosis is notably difficult to diagnose, taking an average of eight years from the onset of symptoms according to Endometriosis UK and with patients often being misdiagnosed or dismissed by doctors while they continue to struggle with the symptoms.

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Sofia and Lottie sit down with Tiffany, a PhD student navigating academia while dealing with endometriosis. Listen as Tiff shares her journey and delves into the challenges, from managing physical symptoms and emotional strain to negotiating uncertainties around her PhD funding.

(1:17) Introduction to Endometriosis
(2:19) Tiff's experiences
(5:00) Managing symptoms and academic life
(8:33) Navigating university support
(13:30) Working through recovery
(21:30) How clinicians can help

About the hosts:
Sofia: My name is Sofia and I'm a fourth-year Chemistry student at Oxford. I am also the co-founder of The Oxford Period, a campaign for access to free period products across the University.

Lottie: Hiya, I am Lottie and I am in my fourth-year. I have really enjoyed working on this podcast, especially as I am interested in how we better support students with their studies in chemistry once they arrive at university here.

We'd like to thank the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Fund, the University of Oxford Chemistry Department, and the EPSRC-funded OxICFM CDT for supporting the podcast.