
'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.
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 204 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Natural SciencesScience | |||

Each of us is different. Our genetics and life experiences shape us into unique individuals – with unique brains. When it comes to medicine, therefore, a 'one size fits all' approach is often not adequate, and trial and error is required to find the ... more
Put simply, most drugs work by binding to a protein and altering how they function. But how can we model how well a particular molecule will bind to a particular protein, and use that knowledge to help discover new treatments? In this episode, we tal... more
In 2022, 7% of the UK's total carbon emissions came from the aviation sector - a figure that's on the rise. This means that - while a flight is often the start of a well-deserved holiday - a lot of us feel at least a sprinkling of guilt over our carb... more
Until recently, most of us had probably never even heard of the hantavirus. Now - with memories of the global COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in our minds - it's only natural to feel slightly concerned about the new virus hitting our headlines. But are... more
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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!!!!
Obvious points of tension within philosophy. This program makes claims without presenting facts.
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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.
First class -- short, clever, unpredictable -- straight into my top 10 after a few listens.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #82 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #206 | |
Apple Podcasts | #9 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #19 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Across recent episodes, the show offers accessible explorations of cutting-edge science and its real-world implications. Topics range from AI-driven drug discovery and protein modeling to high-temperature alloy design for cleaner aviation, public health responses to hantavirus, wildlife conservation ethics, and the science of reading and cognition. The host consistently translates complex research into practical takeaways, often linking university-led work to industry, policy, and global challenges. A notable pattern is close collaboration with Oxford-based researchers and institutes, and a few episodes close with sponsor mentions that underscore partnerships with the hosting organization. The mix of technical depth, ethical angles, and cle... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Oxford Sparks Big Questions:
1. The Documentary Podcast
2. The World, the Universe and Us
3. The Inquiry
4. BBC Inside Science
5. More or Less
Oxford Sparks Big Questions launched 12 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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Recent guests on Oxford Sparks Big Questions include:
1. Dr. Andrea Luppi
2. Fergus Imrie
3. Tamsin Whitfield
4. Daniel Wright
5. Ole Jensen
6. Kate Bancroft
7. Dr. Shurui Miao
8. Deborah Valenzi
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