Dr Suzanne Simard & plant intelligence, Refugee women, Scottish govt & GRC, Inheritance laws & abusers, Sexist uniforms

For over thirty years Dr Suzanne Simard has done ground-breaking research on plant communication and intelligence. She is Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and the author of a gripping scientific memoir, Finding the Mother Tree, in which she reveals the highly complex ways trees interact and communicate. Suzanne joins Jessica in the studio.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, around 660,000 refugees, most of whom are women and children, have now fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the past six days. That's according to the latest data from the UN Refugee Agency.  They say Europe could face it’s largest refugee crisis this century. Many have fled to Poland where they have been welcomed in cities like Warsaw. But while many countries are opening their arms to refugees, the charity CARE International UK is warning that women and girls can be particularly at risk during widespread displacement in war situations, as they can face exploitation while trying to reach safety. Suzy Madigan is the charity’s Senior Humanitarian Advisor on Gender and Protection.

The Scottish Government is expected to introduce its long-awaited Gender Reform Bill at Holyrood tomorrow - a law that would make it easier for transgender people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. The BBC's Scotland correspondent Lorna Gordon joins us to discuss.

A person guilty of manslaughter or murder is already prevented from inheriting their victim’s estate by what’s known as the Forfeiture Rule. But should that law be extended to somebody guilty of domestic abuse? MP Florence Eshalomi is attempting to change the law after one of her constituents wrote to her. Tom Guha has had to deal with exactly this since his mother died and his stepfather’s behaviour was found to have a direct link to her death. Tom clarifies the circumstances and Florence Eshalomi explains why she wants to alter the inheritance rules.

Last month a new high-end sushi restaurant in Surrey came under scrutiny for publishing a dress code that asked women to wear “sexy black ankle-strap heels with a form-fitting top” or “bodycon dresses”. The restaurant has since apologised and changed the “sexist” uniform requests. Anna Sebastian is a Hospitality Consultant who has experience with hotels, bars and restaurants. Claire Curzon is the Managing Director of Brighter Directions – a marketing and communications agency. Both Anna and Claire discuss how attitudes towards women and dress codes have changed.

Presenter: Jessica Creighton Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Interviewed Guest: Dr Suzanne Simard Photographer: Diana Markosian Interviewed Guest: Suzy Madigan Interviewed Guest: Lorna Gordon Interviewed Guest: Florence Eshalomi Interviewed Guest: Tom Guha Interviewed Guest: Anne Sebastian Interviewed Guest: Clare Curzon