Countercurrent: conversations with Professor Roger Kneebone

Howard Phipps, an acclaimed artist and printmaker known for his evocative wood engravings of the natural world, engages in a rich conversation about his craft. He delves into the nuances of wood engraving techniques and the significance of light and negative space in capturing landscapes. Phipps shares his personal journey, reflecting on the interplay between art, nature, and memory. He also discusses the importance of knowing when a piece is 'finished' and the obsessive nature of detail-oriented work in an age of instant gratification.

Adele Wagstaff, a talented portrait artist trained at Newcastle University and the Slade School of Fine Art, discusses her artistic journey and the nuances of portrait creation. She speaks about the importance of anatomy in art and how intimacy emerges between artist and subject. Adele shares insights on the challenges of teaching art and fostering creativity among students. Additionally, she reflects on the emotional complexity of creating portraits and navigating the subjective nature of art competitions, illustrating the profound connections she forms through her work.

Helen Leek is a pianist who has won many prizes, including the International Young Concert Artists Competition and the Brant International Piano Competition. She performs as a soloist and chamber musician and teaches piano at Royal Holloway, University of London. She also gives masterclasses and adjudicates at competitions within the Royal  College of Music. In this conversation explore her approach to music and discuss parallels between our professional worlds. Helen dedicates this podcast to the memory of psychotherapist Bill Hendry, who died suddenly in March 2025.

Dame Eleanor Sharpston KC served as an Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union from 2006 to 2020, before being removed following Brexit. Eleanor has held academic roles at the University of Cambridge, has numerous honorary doctorates and is a Bencher at the Middle Temple. In this conversation we discuss her remarkable career and explore parallels between our different paths.

Steven Appleby is an artist, illustrator and cartoonist who has created cartoon strips for The Guardian, The New Musical Express and many other publications. She has written and drawn many books (including the graphic novel Dragman), designed record covers, and has collaborated on a wide range of projects. She’s a transgender person who describes herself as being relaxed about pronouns. We recorded this podcast at Steven’s exhibition Nothing is Real in London. https://www.stevenappleby.com

Graham Scott is one of only twenty Premier League football referees. In this podcast we explore the challenges, pressures and satisfactions of being a top level referee and discuss the nature of the role. We also explore Graham's parallel career in journalism, from being a report to becoming Editor of the Nursing Standard.

Stephen Akinsanya is a barrister who focuses on defence work in many areas of criminal law. He has a particular interest in defending young people accused of involvement in knife-related crime. He is also committed to advocacy training and to supporting less experienced colleagues in his profession as they develop their careers. In this conversation we discuss our experiences in very different areas of professional practice. https://15nbs.com/portfolio/stephen-akinsanya/

Professor Allan Hamilton is a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, author, academic, horse whisperer, television scriptwriter and pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI). He holds four professorships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. In this Countercurrent Revisited conversation we explore the excitements and dangers of AI in the clinical world and beyond. https://neurosurgery.arizona.edu/profile/allan-j-hamilton-md-facs

Sharon Weldon is Professor of Healthcare Simulation and Workforce Development at the University of Greenwich. After overcoming serious illness as a teenager and travelling all over the world, Sharon trained as a nurse. After completing a Masters at the London School of Hygiene and Tropic Health she joined Imperial College London. Her pioneering work as a doctoral student in my own research group included developing the concept of Sequential Simulation. Since leaving Imperial to join the University of Greenwich she has established her reputation as a leading thinker in her field and is the President Elect of the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH). https://www.gre.ac.uk/people/rep/faculty-of-education-and-health/dr-sharon-weldon

Paul Jakeman is a sculptor and stone carver, whose work ranges from creating new designs to restoring historic statues. He is also Stone Carving Tutor at the City & Guilds of London Art School. Paul’s large scale work includes the Atlas Fountain at Kenilworth Castle and carving - and installing - the massive unicorn on the steeple of St George’s Bloomsbury, one of London’s iconic Hawksmoor churches. In this conversation Paul describes the processes of stone carving and how he brings together ancient and modern influences in his work.