In an exercise of pedagogical innovation and active learning, 3rd-year Psychology degree students from the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) were challenged to create podcast episodes as part of the “Contemporary Challenges of Work and Labour Relations” course unit.
The content, now available on the course's YouTube channel, addresses central themes of the contemporary working world, with a particular focus on the intersection between workplace well-being and remote work.
The initiative took place within a pedagogical model centred on the production of applied knowledge and the acquisition of transversal skills, as explained by the lecturer in charge, Filipa Sobral: "The semester was entirely structured around the task of conceptualising and recording the podcast, with tutorial sessions and personalised support. Many students highlighted that the format provided them with more active and dynamic learning, distinct from traditional presentations or written reports."
The topics chosen by the students stemmed from the three conferences that marked the start of the semester, which focused on "Salary Transparency and Equity," "Workplace Well-being," and "Female Leadership." The majority of groups opted to explore workplace well-being in light of the challenges posed by remote work, translating theory into accessible and scientifically-based narratives.
Students' Opinions: "It was a demanding but rewarding exercise"
"Through the analysis of real interviews, we were led to reflect on topics such as workplace well-being, productivity, and organisational culture," shares Juliana Adrego, one of the students involved in the project. "It was a demanding but rewarding exercise, which forced us to communicate science clearly and engagingly."
Ultimately, it wasn't just about presenting content, but about telling stories based on scientific evidence, which made the learning more significant and lasting," she adds.
For student Rita Chaves, the experience was also enriching: "Developing the episode required a critical analysis of the theoretical concepts covered, such as burnout and engagement, and how these apply in everyday situations. The fact that we had direct contact with two HR professionals allowed me to understand all the acquired knowledge in practice."
Among the main challenges in producing the podcasts, Rita highlights the need to maintain coherence between theory and real testimonies: "We wanted to ensure coherent and accessible content. It was essential to define clear tasks for each group member and maintain effective communication. This experience allowed us to apply knowledge, develop skills, and critically reflect on the real challenges of the working world."
The success of the initiative, which involved 23 students, already guarantees its continuity in the next academic year, reinforcing FEP-UCP's commitment to adopting innovative pedagogical methodologies, aligned with the demands of contemporary higher education.
Please note that this is already the fourth year in which the curricular unit “Contemporary Challenges of Work and Labour Relations” has implemented the initiative.
Listen to the full episodes on the YouTube channel. Episodes from previous years can be listened to via this link.
