Episode #16: The Problem of Criticality, and what it means for university students

At university, everyone throws the term ‘criticality’ around as if it’s self-explanatory. From your oh-so clever professors to that most supportive and helpful librarian–but what does it actually mean?! By the time it’s been mentioned in class over several weeks, it feels really awkward to ask. After all, surely you’re expected to know what it means by now?

The truth is, that most people don’t come across the concept of criticality before university. And, once you do, everyone bandies the term around - along with other mysterious words, such as evaluate, analyse and assess - as if they’re talking about what they had for lunch. It’s like a secret language that some eventually get the hang of, while others manage a 2nd class degree by flailing their way though and still not fully grasping it by the time they graduate.

In this episode, Tracy and Alex unpack this academic buzzword with their signature mix of insight, honesty, and humour. Along the way, they’ll explore why criticality is such a game-changer, not just for university, but for life—and how students can tackle it without the overwhelm. Through relatable examples and playful metaphors (yes, even matchbox percussion and locust tickling), they’ll show you how to develop criticality in a way that works for you. 

Highlights and key moments:

Starting with the Basics (00:00 - 03:49)

• The secret language of academia: Why “criticality” often leaves students baffled.


• What you really need to know to get started.

Why Criticality is Non-Negotiable (03:50 - 10:20)

• From essays to employability: How criticality impacts your academic results and career readiness.


• Why different disciplines have different expectations—and how to navigate them.

A New Way to Think About Criticality (10:21 - 17:00)

• Exploring musicality to help us understand what criticality is.


• Lessons from STOMP’s matchbox symphony: Dare to be creative, but know when to bring the focus back to the end result (your essay!).

Building Your Critical Voice (17:01 - 32:25)

• Experimentation vs. execution: When to play around with ideas and when to refine your argument.


• The role of personal bias and how to challenge your own assumptions effectively.

Connecting Criticality to Real-World Impact (32:26 - 48:30)

• Dr. Patel shares how her research on locust movements links to robotics and prosthetics.


• Learn to answer, “Why does this matter?” with clarity and purpose.

Criticality and Ethical Dilemmas (48:31 - 58:28)

• Exploring the complexity of animal testing: Physical vs. emotional harm.


• Why challenging established methods helps us make better decisions today.

Wrapping it All Up (58:29 - 1:02:53)

• Understanding the limitations of your research isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength.


• How context and audience shape how you present your ideas.

Key Takeaways

For Students:

• Criticality isn’t just about being critical—it’s about asking better questions and finding the story behind the data.


• Experimentation is part of the process. Use your creativity, but make sure your final argument is polished and clear.


• Connect your work to its bigger purpose: What problem are you solving? Why should anyone care?

For Parents or Anyone Supporting a Student at University:

• Support your child in embracing “not knowing” as part of the learning process.


• Encourage discussions that challenge surface-level answers and dig deeper.

Resources

Slides

On-demand access to our FREE Masterclass Start Your First-Class Essay 

Featured YouTube videos

Stomp Live - Part 2 - Matchsticks

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Mongolian Throat Singing Blind Auditions SHOCKS The Voice Coaches | Bites

Joshua Bell's 'Stop and Hear the Music' metro experiment | The Washington Post

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As always, we’d love to hear what resonates most with you in this episode (WL#16) so leave us a comment, or DM us on social media to let us know. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, share, and leave us a 5* review wherever you get your podcasts. Each and every new subscriber or review means we can produce even better episodes, more frequently, and help more students thrive. 

If there’s anything you want us to cover, please tell us and we’ll try our best. Equally, we’re not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s ok. Don’t give up looking for the mentor or teacher whose message  really lands for you.