Did you know there is a state-of-the-art Media Lab in the Sperber Health Sciences Library? It is a bookable space for students, staff, and researchers for all audio and video recording projects. We’d like to highlight an exciting student use-case where the crew of three students (Jashan, Yuvraj, and Arpit) created Behind the Labs, a podcast that focuses on breakthrough research studies and their real-world implications to make it easy for people to understand scientific research. We asked Jashan some questions about their podcast:
What inspired you to start your podcast?
I noticed how difficult it was for people around me to understand research jargon, so I wanted to create a space for accessible discussions with diverse perspectives. We occasionally have special guests, often professors from the University of Alberta, to talk about these studies and share their expertise. I pitched the idea, and Yuvraj was on board—later, Arpit joined, and the podcast took off from there.
What made you decide to record your podcast in the Sperber Library’s Media Lab?
I had no equipment or technical know-how, so I looked for recording spaces and discovered the Media Lab. It had everything we needed—high-quality microphones and webcam, professional ambiance, and an easy setup—making it the perfect place to launch our podcast.
What equipment and resources have you used in the Media Lab, and how did they enhance your podcast production?
The studio-quality microphones made a huge difference in audio clarity, far surpassing home recordings. The adjustable lighting also allowed us to incorporate video into our podcast, enhancing our production value.
What has been the biggest benefit of using the library’s Media Lab instead of recording elsewhere?
The combination of top-tier equipment and accessibility. Booking is simple, and the library staff is always available to help. Plus, being able to record on campus after class made podcasting a seamless part of our routine.
What advice would you give to other students who are interested in starting a podcast but don’t know where to begin?
Just go for it! It’s easy to overthink how others will perceive it, but once you start, it becomes a rewarding creative outlet. The best thing you can do is take that first step.
Interested in starting your own podcasting project? Check out the Media Lab and book the space whenever you’re ready to have a go!
Many thanks to Janice Kung, Librarian (Health Sciences) and Jashan Gogia for authoring this article.
This content is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Creative Commons licence.