Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

Recorded during rehearsals for the very first East Midlands Tech Week, this special edition of Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast celebrates 10 years of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) and the Midlands’ extraordinary history of innovation.

From Derby, birthplace of the modern factory, to Leicester’s DNA fingerprinting breakthroughs, Nottingham’s MRI and ibuprofen innovations, and Lutterworth’s jet engine legacy, the East Midlands has long shaped the technologies that changed the world. Now, a new generation of innovators is building the future of clean energy, hydrogen, sustainable transport and net zero industry.

In this episode, we speak to leaders from ERA and industry partners including Cadent about how the region is helping commercialise breakthrough technologies, develop talent, support startups and drive the UK’s transition to a cleaner, greener economy.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Refrigeration’s Climate Problem and the Startup Trying to Solve It
Refrigeration is responsible for a huge share of global carbon emissions but Colombian startup NanoFreeze believes biotechnology could change that. Founder and CEO Isabel Pulido explains how her company’s bio-nanotechnology is designed to dramatically reduce energy use in cooling systems, improve cold-chain access and lower costs for industries from food transport to pharmaceuticals. We also discuss why she’s been selected for the Cartier Women’s Initiative, one of the world’s leading programmes for female entrepreneurs. 
Why Is Tech Still Failing People with Disabilities?
From inaccessible apps to AI systems that overlook disabled users, inclusive design is still missing from much of today’s technology. Inclusive design expert and author Reginé Gilbert joins us to discuss why accessibility continues to be treated as an afterthought — and how emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality and spatial computing risk deepening exclusion if companies don’t build inclusivity in from the beginning. She’s co-author of a new book: “Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in all Things Tech.”

The proramme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

The Smart Contact Lens That Could Change Medicine Forever
Glaucoma affects around 80 million people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. But what if managing chronic disease no longer required constant hospital visits, manual medication schedules or invasive monitoring? This week on Somewhere on Earth, we explore a groundbreaking AI-powered smart contact lens capable of continuously monitoring eye pressure, automatically delivering treatment and remotely sharing real-time health data with clinicians, all without batteries or electronics.

Why Silicon Valley Still Doesn’t See Women as “Founder Material”
We also dive into one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship: why women remain underrepresented in the venture capital world despite building some of the world’s most successful companies. From AI and digital healthcare to leadership, mentorship and the changing culture of startups, this episode explores where innovation meets humanity and who gets to shape the future.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

What the Collapse of a Global Summit Means for Digital Rights
Thousands of delegates were preparing to gather in Zambia for one of the world’s biggest digital rights events until it was abruptly cancelled days before kickoff. Nikki Gladstone, Director of RightsCon at Access Now, explains how months of planning unravelled in a matter of hours and what triggered the decision.

Why Nigeria Could Be Your Launchpad into Africa
With access to a large market and growing regional trade links, Nigeria is increasingly seen as a gateway to the continent. Victor Famubode discusses how Itana, a digital platfrom, is helping companies not just enter Nigeria, but scale across Africa using partnerships and new trade frameworks.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

AI Voice Cloning; Clearer Speech, Growing Risks
New research reveals that AI-generated voice clones can be up to 20% more intelligible than real human speech in noisy environments. While this could revolutionise public announcements, accessibility, and communication, it also raises serious concerns. Experts warn that cloned voices can sound more authoritative and trustworthy, making them a powerful tool not just for innovation, but also for scams and audio deepfakes that are increasingly hard to detect.

Space Tech Meets the Sea; AI Tools for Sustainable Fishing
A new generation of startups is using satellite Earth observation and AI to support fishing communities facing climate change, regulation, and economic pressure. By combining real-time ocean data with insights from fishers themselves, companies like Orbiventure are helping to track catches, protect marine ecosystems, and improve long-term coastal resilience, showing how space technology can deliver practical solutions on the ground.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.