Teesside University puts academic expertise in the spotlight

A spotlight is being put on television crime dramas, the murky world of the illegal wildlife trade, forensic investigations into unexplained deaths, and the darker side of tourism, through a new series to be launched by Teesside University.

Spotlight is a series of talks aimed to inspire, intrigue and entertain audiences across the Tees Valley, sharing the University’s academic expertise in everyday subjects with the local communities it serves. Thought-provoking insight will be offered on a range of subjects at venues across Teesside. Admission will be free. Doors open at 6.00pm.

Locations for the Spotlight series have been carefully chosen, taking place in venues across Teesside, including Stockton, Redcar, Middlesbrough and Saltburn.

Launching our Spotlight series are a number of expert guest speakers including, forensic scientists Dr Rhys Willliams and Dr Desiré Dalton, author and film-maker Dr Ben Lamb, and tourism expert Beverley Boden.

Dr Joanna Heaton-Marriott, Executive Director of Communications & Development, said: “We’re launching Spotlight as a way of connecting with our neighbouring communities and engaging with audiences on their own doorsteps.

“We’re looking forward to taking our expertise out into the region, to showcase our research and create connections.

“Spotlight takes the work of our academic team out of the traditional lecture theatre and makes it relevant and accessible, using local venues where our audience can feel at home, be entertained, and find out more about a range of interesting topics.”

The line-up of free Spotlight talks:

Demystifying Death
Tuesday 23 April 2024, The Link, Stockton
An unidentified body has been found in the woods and the police have been called. But what next? What can we discover from what’s left behind when someone dies?

Forensic scientist Dr Rhys Williams will delve into what we can learn from skeletal remains using forensic anthropology in this fascinating talk, which will explain more about exactly what is involved during investigations into unexplained deaths.

Hidden in Plain Sight
Tuesday 21 May 2024, The Regent, Redcar
The dark world of the illegal wildlife trade is explored by forensic scientist Dr Desiré Dalton.

Take a deep dive into how highly organised criminal syndicates use sophisticated methods to take advantage of transport networks, the internet and social media to trade in animals and plants. This talk examines the magnitude of this practice and looks at what is being done in attempt to curb this harmful trade and protect wildlife.

You’re Nicked!
Wednesday 5 June 2024, The Courtroom, Middlesbrough Town Hall
The evolution of police television dramas is examined by Dr Ben Lamb in this entertaining talk, which will trace development of the genre from Dixon of Dock Green to Happy Valley, via The Sweeney, The Bill, and Cracker.

This talk will look at how police dramas have borrowed elements from social realism, melodrama, the soap opera, sci-fi, and action series to determine how the genre has developed alongside modern British society.

The Darker Side of Travel
Tuesday 25 June 2024, Saltburn Arts Centre
When it comes to holiday jaunts, the site of a nuclear disaster zone, the home of a serial killer or the execution chamber of a former state prison might not immediately come to mind.

Tourism expert Beverley Boden looks at the rise in dark tourism, as demand grows for macabre attractions and disturbing experiences which recreate horrific moments in history.

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