Language & Power Podcast

1-1 Tutorials in CDA: Discourse Academy Webpage

S5 Episode 7: COP 30, mega-cops, and meaningful participation with Hayley Walker

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:34:59 +0000

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Haley Walker from the Department of International Negotiation and Conflict Management, IÉSEG School of Management (Lille). We discuss the outcomes of COP30, held in Brazil, Dr. Walker’s insights into the successes and disappointments of COP30, and the disparity between expectations and actual outcomes. We hear about the differences between the negotiation and implementation facets of COP events, the increasing size of COPs post-Paris, and the challenges and potential solutions for effective participation and meaningful impact. Hayley emphasises the need to shift focus from negotiations to implementation and suggests greater utilisation of virtual participation and regional climate weeks to enhance inclusivity and effectiveness.

00:48 Discussing COP 30 Outcomes

02:22 Expectations vs. Reality at COP 30

04:01 The Role of the Action Agenda

06:02 Brazilian Presidency's Agenda Shift

07:59 Cover Decisions and Their Impact

09:42 Research on Non-State Actors

13:17 Media's Role in COP Coverage

15:45 Negotiation vs. Implementation at COP

21:29 Debunking Rage Bait in Climate Reporting

22:21 The Real Fossil Fuel Lobbying Happens Elsewhere

23:29 Youth Activism and Effective Climate Action

24:38 Understanding the Concept of Mega COPs

26:42 Challenges of Overcrowded COPs

27:17 Party Overflow and Its Implications

31:56 Virtual Participation and Downsizing COPs

34:11 Beyond COP: Year-Round Climate Work

37:09 Media Perception and COP Legitimacy

41:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

The Conversation: The problem with ‘mega-COPs’: can a 50,000-person conference still tackle climate change?

Academic article: Access and meaningful participation of non-state actors in the UNFCCC process: path-dependencies in the era of ‘mega-COPs’

In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project

S5 Episode 6: Jewish co-resistance to colonial disinformation

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:34:46 +0000

In this episode, we speak with Awni Etaywe from Charles Darwin University in Australia about his upcoming publication, 'A CDA/PDA of Jewish Co-Resistance to Colonial Disinformation'. We discuss how disinformation in colonial contexts operates as epistemic and symbolic violence and discuss how Jewish organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and the Jewish Council of Australia construct counter-narratives to challenge dominant Zionist framings of the Palestinian struggle. Dr. Etaywe explains his analysis of how alternative Jewish movements are leveraging discourse to foster trans-communal communities of trust and pro-Palestinian moral bonds, and explores the use of linguistic mechanisms such as evaluative couplings and morally charged language to resist colonial disinformation and reframe moral understanding.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:24 Overview of the Article

02:15 Origins and Objectives of the Article

03:43 Jewish Movements and Colonial Framing

04:18 Disinformation and Moral Orders

11:24 Evaluative Couplings and Bond Clusters

23:36 Counter Framing and Activist Discourse

54:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

We’ll add a link to the article here when it has been published

In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project

S5 Episode 5: Changing climate, changing discourse- panel discussion

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:26:31 +0000

In this special episode, recorded at the International Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress held in Glasgow this summer, we have an expert panel discussion on 'Changing Climate, Changing Discourse’. Our guests, leading academics in the field of language and climate change, are Cinzia Bevitori; John Currie; Daniel Fryer; Matteo Fuoli; Gerard O’Grady; Katherine Russo; and Paul White. Sharing insights from their research on NGO discourse, techno-optimism, the criminalisation of the environmental movement, and corporate greenwashing. Our panel discusses the psychological, sociological, and linguistic dimensions of climate discourse and looks at how these insights can empower activism and affect policy.

01:15 Panel Introductions and Research Summaries

10:35 Media Representation and Public Perception

14:38 Corporate Strategies and Stakeholder Tensions

19:51 Climate Reports and Their Impact

20:48 Corporate Power vs. Activist Efforts

21:17 The Influence of Discourse on Policy and Society

25:08 Challenges in Political Engagement with Evidence

27:06 Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Climate Discourse

30:29 The Role of Academia in Climate Discourse

32:46 Economic Growth and Social Justice

37:01 Conclusion and Podcast Information

The Stories We Live By

S5 Episode 4: Exploring the Power of Ecolinguistics with Professor Arran Stibbe

Michael Farrelly — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:03:36 +0000

In this episode, we talk with Professor Arran Stibbe from the University of Gloucestershire and the founding director of the International Eco Linguistics Association about his work in Ecolinguistics. We discuss the definition and scope of Ecolinguistics, its role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and alienation from nature. Aaron shares insights on how language constructs our social realities, influences behaviour, and shapes policies that affect ecosystems. We also discuss the concept of transdisciplinarity, narrative ecology, and how positive discourse analysis can foster sustainable practices. Aaron emphasises the importance of integrating non-human concerns into our value systems and how shifting the narratives can contribute to ecological resilience and sustainability.

The Search for New Stories to Live By

Article- The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans – assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal

S5 Episode 3: Discourse, policy and River Basin Plans in Portugal - Teresa Fidélis

Michael Farrelly — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk with Teresa Fidélis from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, about her co-authored research article ‘The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans–assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal’.

We hear how the analysis found a clear shift in the language used in Portuguese River Basin Plans— how ‘concern about land use topics has reduced in the measures’ described in the plans over time.

Importantly, we discussed how these results were shared with policymakers and how the research team explained to them that ‘the more particular concerns are evident, the easier they are communicated and assimilated by other actors’.

Article- The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse

S5 Episode 2: The wickedness of net-zero policy - Michael Kranert

Michael Farrelly — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:23:00 +0000

We chat with Dr Michael Kranert about his new research article ‘The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse’. In the article, he examines how international climate change policies are adapted at the local level, using a case study from a council debate in Germany about the EU programme ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’. The analysis focuses on the role of scales in policy discourse, highlighting the complexity and wickedness of climate change as a policy problem. The study contributes to critical policy discourse analysis by outlining the role of epistemological and ontological scales in connecting global and local policy discourses.

Book: Critical Policy Discourse Analysis

Hayley Walker research insight

S5 Episode 1: COP 29, Credibility, & the Press

Michael Farrelly — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:02:12 +0000

In this episode of the Language and Power Podcast, we discuss COP29 held in Azerbaijan in 2024. We analyse media coverage from CNN, BBC, and the New York Times, focusing on the portrayal of Azerbaijan as a 'petrostate' and issues surrounding the credibility of the conference. Analysing the representation of social actors, we compare these media narratives with academic insights from Hayley Walker, who emphasises the role of effective negotiating teams in achieving climate goals. The discussion highlights varying perspectives on the intersection of geopolitics, media representation, and the procedural aspects of COP29.

CNN article:Analysis Climate leaders were worried…

BBC article:Climate change - Former oil executive…

NYT article:Why is a Petrostate Holding This Year’s Climate Talks?

ONLINE COURSES - Discourse Academy Webpage

S4 Episode 6: COP28 in perspective - what makes a positive text?

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:11:36 +0000

We take a step back from COP28 to discuss what makes a successful text for climate change and sustainability. We analyze different speakers and their approach to addressing these issues, including speakers like Txai Suruí, an indigenous activist; Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor; and Jeremy Clarkson, a motor journalist. We examine how these speakers utilize their cultural capital and contextualize their messages for their audiences. We also discuss concepts like intertextuality and positive discourse analysis, ultimately emphasising the importance of a diverse network of voices promoting environmental change.

See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes.

S4 Episode 5: COP28 The Final Text ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels…’

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:01:13 +0000

A final text from COP 28 has been announced - including the phrase ‘fossil fuels’ for the first time. We discuss this and some of the reaction to the text.

COP28 Final text

COP26 Alok Sharma Opening Speech

S4 Episode 4: COP 28 Sustainable Fisheries

Michael Farrelly — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:31:31 +0000

Food, Agriculture & Water was the theme of COP 28 on 10th December 2023. We discuss a new document published at COP28: ‘Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ - in particular, the topic of sustainable fisheries.

COP27 Sameh Shoukry Opening Speech

COP 28 Al Jaber Opening Speech

FAO Document: Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap

UN Article: Ensuring No One is Left Behind: First High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition

S4 Episode 3: COP 28 Just Transitions

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:39:24 +0000

Just transition is a theme at COP 28. We discuss the definitions of ‘just transition’ found in documents related to a ‘high level ministerial roundtable on just transitions’ held at COP28:

UN Agenda: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition

UN Powerpoint Slides: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition

ILO: Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all

US Vice President Harris speech at COP28

Rishi Sunak press conference speech transcript

S4 Episode 2: COP 28 Opening Speeches

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 22:29:45 +0000

Dr Sultan Al Jaber opened COP 28, with some media controversy, on 30th November 2023; UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, flew to the UAE and gave a press conference. We discuss the two speeches in terms of argumentation strategies - both appeal to pragmatic and moral arguments.

Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address transcript

Rishi Sunak press conference video

Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address video

BBC: COP28: UAE planned to use climate talks to make oil deals

S4 Episode 1: COP28 Preview

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 17:16:16 +0000

We’re back with series 4 on COP28. In this episode we preview our plans for this series and also announce:

A YouTube channel

A Patreon page

Join Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes.

Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan

S3 Episode 3: Just Transitions

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:37:57 +0000

In this third and final episode of our mini-series, we discuss Just Transitions with Jamie Cooke, head of engagement at the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts Manufacturers in Commerce). We discuss some new research on Just Transitions that the RSA have carried out and their new report: Rural and Post-industrial perspectives on the just transition: participatory futures in Dumfries and Fife.

Rural and Post-industrial perspectives on the just transition: participatory futures in Dumfries and Fife

Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt’s Cop27 masquerade

S3 Episode 2: Greenwashing COP 27

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 13:02:06 +0000

In this second episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss ‘greenwashing’ in relation to COP 27, which was recently was held in Egypt. This topic is inspired by an article that we found in The Guardian authored by the well-known writer, Naomi Klein: “Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt's COP 27 masquerade”. With us on the podcast is special guest. Dr Michael Kranert from the University of Southhampton.

Sharm El-Sheikh Mangroves and Sustainability

Three protected areas you need to visit if you’re a nature-lover travelling to Sharm El Sheikh for COP 27 this November

Welcome Message From President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

Cut meat consumption to two burgers a week to save planet, study suggests

S3 Episode 1: Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Production

Michael Farrelly — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:55:51 +0000

In this first episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss sustainable consumption and sustainable production. With our guest, Alex Caveen, we look at four articles from The Guardian newspaper in the UK. Each of them addresses some aspects of consumption, and some raise issues of sustainable production.

Enormous emissions gap between top 1% and poorest, study highlights

Embrace what may be the most important green technology ever. It could save us all

Lab-grown food is no way to nourish the planet

AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

S2 Episode 8: The 2022 IPCC Reports

Michael Farrelly — Mon, 09 May 2022 13:35:18 +0000

In the final episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss some of the text of the 2022 reports on climate from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change. We discuss abstract written style, the apparent absence of people in describing many processes in the reports, and the potential effect of this on presenting human agency in the causes of, and solutions for, climate change.

AR6 Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change

Communicating Sustainability Conference, Glasgow, September 2022

Language & Power Podcast Webpage

S2 Episode 7: Public Apologies - Will Smith after the Oscars

Michael Farrelly — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 13:41:39 +0000

In the seventh episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the discourse of public apologies. We look at the example of actor Will Smith apologising for assaulting comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony. Chris Rock had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife.

The Independent: Read the Best Actor winner’s full apology to Chris Rock over Oscars slap

Language & Power Podcast Webpage

S2 Episode 6: Discourses of ownership: the Glazers, Man Utd. and Bohemian FC

Michael Farrelly — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:56:36 +0000

In the sixth episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the way football club ownership is represented. We look at a news report on the Glazer brothers - owners of Manchester United and a report on Dublin club, Bohemian FC. Why are the Glazers not referred to as ‘oligarchs’ as Roman Abramovich is? How are fan identities constructed?

The Daily Mirror: Man Utd owners the Glazers set £4bn asking price to sell club amid fan protests

Bohemian FC: The club with Bob Marley on the shirt and working class values at heart

The Daily Mirror: Roman Abramovich's private jet lands in Russia as Chelsea owner seen at airport

S2 Episode 5: Reporting on Abramovic, Chelsea and Sanctions

Michael Farrelly — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 15:54:41 +0000

In the fifth episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the way erstwhile owner of Chelsea football club, Roman Abramovic, is described in news reports following the impositions of sanctions on individuals over the invasion of Ukraine.