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Oxford Sparks Big Questions

Oxford Sparks
Climate Change
Cuteness
Cats
Kissing
Bed Bugs
Neuroscience
Bees
Volcanoes
Plant Care
Moon
Wine
Human Emotion
Earworms
Wind Drought
Baby Responses
Gender Differences
Pleasure
Grey Seals
Fisheries
Harbour Seals

'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes204Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for Oxford Sparks Big Questions

Latest Episodes

Many of us will be familiar with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), perhaps without even realising it. Such behaviours - which include hair-pulling, nail biting and skin picking - can not only cause physical harm, but also often bring feelin... more

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How do you detect a particle that emits no light - in other words, something invisible? This is the intriguing challenge faced by scientists hunting for 'dark matter'. In our series finale, we talk to Elizabeth Bloomfield from Oxford's Department of ... more

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What's the best gift you can give? To the millions of people whose lives have been saved by complete strangers, the answer would be simple: blood. But what exactly happens when blood has been donated, and how do we know it is safe? We chat to Dr Rich... more

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Whether you've been served an advert for it, or just heard about it in the media, it's likely that 'Ozempic' isn't a totally unfamiliar word. Now often associated with weight-loss, Ozempic is actually the brand name for a drug used to treat diabetes.... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Annie de Bray
A diabetes and endocrinology doctor currently doing a PhD in diabetes research.
University of Oxford
Episode: How does Ozempic actually work?
Sofia Della Sala
A researcher in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford and a volcanologist in training.
University of Oxford
Episode: How can robots investigate underwater volcanoes?
Dr. Tom Crawford
Public Engagement Lead at the Department for Continuing Education and a mathematician.
University of Oxford
Episode: What is it like to be on Countdown?
Jasmine Blane
DPhil student in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Oxford
Oxford Brain Health Clinic
Episode: What happens after a dementia diagnosis?
Diogo Veríssimo
Research fellow at the Department of Biology
University of Oxford
Episode: Why is my bottle cap attached to my plastic bottle?
Ollie Spacey
Third-year DeField student studying mistletoe at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Why track mistletoe?
Jingyi Yang
Postdoctoral researcher working on origami-inspired deployable structures
University of Oxford
Episode: How can origami help make energy?
Claire Tanner
A postdoc in the Marine Conservation Ecology and Management Group
University of Oxford
Episode: How are seals affecting fishing catches?
Rachel Parkinson
Neuroethologist interested in bees and their behavior
University of Oxford
Episode: Can we talk to bees?

Host

Emily Elias
Host of the Oxford Sparks Big Questions podcast

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Brilliant!!!!!!

    Just absolutely love it! From the largest scale of astronomy to the tiny worlds of neuroscience, Oxford Sparks has the answers to all strange questions you may possibly have! A joy to listen to!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chara2020
    Taiwan3 years ago
  • Ideological not scientific.

    Obvious points of tension within philosophy. This program makes claims without presenting facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Boicarguy
    United States5 years ago
  • He he rating button to tap tap

    Bbbbb

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dwarfwatcher52
    Australia5 years ago
  • The best science podcast

    Every episode is full of fascinating, cutting-edge science from a wide range of fields. It's brilliant. But, there are a lot of podcasts with interesting science in them - what makes this one *special*, and a must-listen for everyone, is host Emily Elias. She skillfully guides us through these topics with great humour, getting the best out of her interview subjects and putting togehter a really unmissable show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mackenwells
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Straight into my top 10

    First class -- short, clever, unpredictable -- straight into my top 10 after a few listens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Autodidact55
    United Kingdom8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, feedback highlights a broad appeal across various scientific realms, drawing in listeners from different backgrounds.
Some comments suggest the podcasts occasionally lack depth on controversial issues, implying a need for greater scientific rigor.
Many reviews emphasize the humor and relatability of the host, enhancing the overall experience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and clarity of complex scientific topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why do I bite my nails?
Q: What are some of the positive things that are coming out of the research that you've been pursuing?
A lot of it comes from awareness raising and reducing the shame and stigma.
Why do I bite my nails?
Q: How do you know as a researcher how widespread a problem this is?
It's harder to answer than you might imagine because these behaviors are so stigmatized that people don't generally ask.
How do you find a theoretical particle?
Q: Does that mean you get to go to a mountain in Italy to check out a giant tank that could potentially have the secrets of the universe inside it?
Yes, I'll be spending part of my PhD in Italy at the lab itself, and we go underground to minimize background noise for our sensitive detector.
How do you find a theoretical particle?
Q: So if you know that something is there, but you don't know what it is, how do you even start with asking that question?
Theorists propose different theories about what the dark matter could be, like the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP).
How does Ozempic actually work?
Q: What does Ozempic do for diabetes?
Ozempic helps control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin release and making insulin work better.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Oxford Sparks Big Questions

What is Oxford Sparks Big Questions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series presents engaging and thought-provoking discussions centered around pressing scientific questions and themes explored by leading researchers at the University of Oxford. It covers a diverse array of scientific topics, ranging from the complexities of human health and technological advancements to fundamental questions about our environment and the universe. Listeners can expect a blend of informative content that is both entertaining and enlightening, featuring experts who break down intricate ideas into relatable concepts. The unique format encourages curiosity and showcases innovative research, making complex scientific discussions accessible to a general audience.

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1. 6 Minute English

How many episodes of Oxford Sparks Big Questions are there?

Oxford Sparks Big Questions launched 11 years ago and published 204 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Oxford Sparks Big Questions?

Recent guests on Oxford Sparks Big Questions include:

1. Annie de Bray
2. Sofia Della Sala
3. Dr. Tom Crawford
4. Jasmine Blane
5. Diogo Veríssimo
6. Ollie Spacey
7. Jingyi Yang
8. Claire Tanner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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