The University of Bath welcomed the team behind Outrage + Optimism, the world’s number one climate podcast, to campus in January for two days of recording focused on global climate leadership and action.
Across the visit, six episodes were recorded in the University’s media production studios, supported by audio visual specialists Sacha Goodwin and Simon Wharf. The recordings brought together internationally recognised climate leaders with University of Bath academics, showcasing Bath’s research expertise to a global audience.
Global climate leadership at Bath
Outrage + Optimism is hosted by three globally recognised climate leaders. Christiana Figueres is internationally known as the architect of the Paris Agreement, having led the UN climate negotiations that resulted in the landmark 2015 accord.
She is joined by Tom Rivett-Carnac - a former UN climate negotiator, the Founding Partner of Global Optimism and recent Bath resident - and Paul Dickinson, co-founder of Transition Value Partners, Founder and Strategic Adviser at CDP and a University of Bath graduate who completed an MSc in Responsibility & Business Practice in 1991.
Bath expertise on the global stage
Two of the episodes recorded at Bath feature University academics. The first episode, now live, explores China’s evolving role in global climate leadership and features Dr Yixian Sun, who joined the discussion remotely from China while taking part in a UK Government delegation.
Dr Sun is a leading expert on climate governance, energy transition and China’s role in international climate cooperation. His research examines how global climate policy is shaped across borders and how constructive engagement between major economies can accelerate progress. Later this year, he will also host a major international sustainability conference at the University of Bath, bringing global experts together to tackle pressing global sustainability challenges.
Dr Sun said: “China now plays a critical role in global climate governance, and it’s important for the UK to enhance cooperation with China to shape the future of climate leadership. I am truly honoured to be a guest on the Outrage + Optimism podcast — it’s a fantastic platform that reaches an engaged international audience and a great opportunity to share perspectives on climate action and deepen global dialogue. Through conversations like this, we can highlight the importance of constructive engagement between China, the UK and other global partners to advance climate solutions and expand our international reach on these vital issues.”
Engaging the public on the climate crisis
A second episode, due to air later this month, features Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, one of the world's leading environmental psychologists. Professor Whitmarsh’s research focuses on public engagement, behaviour change and societal responses to the climate crisis, with her work influencing national and international approaches to climate communication and policy.
Professor Whitmarsh said: “Being featured on the world’s leading climate change podcast was a fantastic experience. I’m delighted to have had the chance to discuss the importance of public engagement and behaviour change with leading climate change influencers and to reach a global audience through the podcast.”
Inside the climate transition
Reflecting on the visit, the podcast hosts highlighted the value of engaging directly with researchers working at the forefront of climate action.
Tom Rivett-Carnac said: “Outrage + Optimism was thrilled to spend time recording at the University of Bath. It was a real privilege to sit down with people helping to shape how the climate transition unfolds.
“Our conversations with Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh and Dr Yixian Sun were about the real, messy work of transforming the energy system, and how behaviour, technology and policy collide in practice.”
Paul Dickinson added: “This podcast has always been about grappling with our outrage, channeling our optimism, and learning new things in open, frank discussions on climate. We ask the questions we’re all wrestling with, bring in people who help us think more clearly, and try to make sense of what progress actually looks like. It was a treat to meet people approaching our shared challenge with that same attitude.”
Christiana Figueres said: “Recording at Bath was a reminder that change comes from collective action. Universities, researchers, practitioners and listeners all pushing, questioning and testing ideas together. Thank you for hosting us, we look forward to collaborating more in the future.
"If you’d like to carry on the conversation, the first episode from Bath is now live, send us questions, and welcome to the outrage family.”
Christiana Figueres has previously collaborated with the University of Bath through the ActNowFilm project, which focused on the role of collective and youth-led action in responding to the climate crisis.
A cross-University team effort
The visit was coordinated across the Department of Marketing, Communications & External Affairs, reflecting a strong cross-team effort to support the recordings and maximise the opportunity for the University.
Corinne Evans, Executive Director of External Relations at the University of Bath, said: “I was delighted that the University of Bath could host Outrage + Optimism on campus.
"As the number one international climate podcast with a truly global audience, it’s fantastic that our academics could feature and help us tell such a powerful story about the impact of our research and the innovative solutions being developed here at Bath.
"Opportunities like this are invaluable, and we’re keen to build lasting links with the hosts and with the team - particularly in our 60th anniversary year. Thanks to our media production team, and colleagues across Marketing, Communications and External Affairs, for making it such a strong team effort.”