Introducing UCL Press Play’s second series

Posted on 4th November, 2025

How well do we really understand the human mind? That’s the big question at the heart of Beautiful Minds – The Greatest Good, a brand new eight-part series of podcasts and documentaries that dives deep into the complexities of human cognition and neurodiversity.

Hosted by Professor Philip Schofield, Director of the Bentham Project, the series brings together leading voices from across UCL to uncover fascinating facts, challenge misconceptions, and share strategies for building a more inclusive society. From autism and dyslexia to dementia and Tourette’s Syndrome, each episode offers fresh perspectives and practical insights.

New episodes drop every Wednesday between now and Christmas. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming:

1. Dr Sarah White from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience on the autistic mind
2. Dr Michael Woodrow from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering on why people with dyslexia make great engineers
3. Professor Dagmara Dimitriou fromIOE’s Department of Psychology & Human Development on why sleep hygiene doesn’t always work
4. Dr Jess Jiang from the Dementia Research Centre at the Queen Square Institute of Neurology on music and memory
5. Dr Emily Midouhas from IOE’s Department of Psychology and Human Development on supporting neurodiverse children
6. Dr Jane Gilmour, Clinical Lecturer at the Population, Policy & Practice Department and Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at GOSH offers a fresh perspective on Tourette’s
7. Dr Michael Crossland, Senior Research Fellow in the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Principal Optometrist in Low Vision at the Moorfields Eye Hospital on how art can creatively express the unique challenges and strengths of living with low vision. (video)
8. Professor Philip Schofield, Director of The Bentham Project, on the life, legacy, and working mind of Jeremy Bentham. (video)

Register to be the first to hear when new episodes drop.