About Us
Backbench Podcast is made by a passionate team of Edinburgh University students.
Back in Season 1, Backbench dove into 2024: The Year of Elections, discussed the gender gap in politics, recorded a five-part interview series with parliamentarians, and put together our very own take on Question Time! Season 2 is off to a great start - subscribe to stay updated.
From marketing to scriptwriting to audio engineering, every part of the podcast is made by students, in our own time and entirely for free. Backbench is a subsidiary of the Edinburgh Political Union (EPU) and any views shared on the podcast are entirely our own. They do not reflect the views of Backbench, the EPU, or the University of Edinburgh.
We fact-check every episode carefully, and episodes are correct as of their release date; please contact us if there is an inaccuracy, and we will correct it as soon as possible.
Our Mission
We create informed and engaging discussions on political issues that matter to students.
Backbench Podcast aims to provide our listeners with nuanced information and perspectives about current political issues, domestic and international. When listening to Backbench, Edinburgh students can expect to hear voices across the political spectrum, get up-close to current events, and become thoroughly informed in the process.
The 2025-26 Team
Producers
Rachel Barlow: Executive Producer
Renee Phan
Tara Laize
Charlie Franklin-White
Co-Hosts
Rachel Barlow
Conor Doherty
Joseph Hughes
Writers/Researchers
Alex Daniels: Lead Writer
Mia Crawford
Jade Galliford
Kashvee Barjatya
Ting Ting Zhang
Audio Engineer
Jamie Calder: Lead Engineer
Finn Hughes
Tech Supervisor
Mati Pojalowski
Correspondents
Seb Illing
Gabrielle Yurin
Outreach Secretary
Orlaith McEvoy
Communications Managers
Leda Basile
Niamh Werner
