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Oxford Sparks Big Questions

Oxford Sparks
University Of Oxford
Climate Change
Oxford University
Cuteness
Ozempic
Cats
Dinosaur Trackway
European Hedgehogs
Tourette's Syndrome
Quantum Computing
Physics
Weight Loss
Bees
Neuroscience
Kissing
Bed Bugs
Plant Care
Moon
Volcanoes
Earth

'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 monthlyEpisodes204Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for Oxford Sparks Big Questions

Latest Episodes

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"It's as likely as winning the lottery." A phrase used in situations where something is, well, pretty near impossible. But is there anything you can do to increase your chances of claiming that life-changing pot of money? What about one of the smalle... more

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Aside from the odd unfamiliar or complicated word, a lot of us won't think twice when it comes to reading. It's a skill we take for granted. But, relatively speaking, it's actually a fairly new skill - beginning about 5500 years ago. This suggests it... more

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Recent Guests

Ole Jensen
Professor at Oxford examining cognitive neuroscience of reading
University of Oxford
Episode: How does reading work?
Kate Bancroft
Research fellow at University of Oxford studying health, sport and performance
University of Oxford
Episode: What's it like for women working in F1?
Dr. Shurui Miao
Physical chemist specializing in liquids and solutions; researcher
University of Oxford
Episode: How do you convert CO2 to rock?
Deborah Valenzi
Professor of History at Barnard College, Columbia University, and the author of five books including Milk, A Local and Global History
Barnard College, Columbia University
Episode: From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
Heather Paxton
Cultural anthropologist and science and technology study scholar
Episode: From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
Bronwyn Percival
Technical Director for Niels Yard Dairy in London, co-author of Reinventing the Wheel, Milk, Microbes and the Fight for Real Cheese
Niels Yard Dairy
Episode: From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
Frances Percival
Episode: From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
Anna Fry
Patient with Lynch syndrome, engaging in cancer prevention research
Episode: Could vaccinations stop people from getting cancer?
Annie de Bray
A diabetes and endocrinology doctor currently doing a PhD in diabetes research.
University of Oxford
Episode: How does Ozempic actually work?

Host

Emily Elias
Host of Oxford Sparks Big Questions; science communicator with a focus on making complex research accessible.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 82 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
    Taiwan4 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
    Australia6 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 Kingdom7 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.

Many listeners describe it as one of the best science podcasts for depth and entertainment.
Listeners praise the host's ability to make cutting-edge science engaging and accessible.
Some critics feel certain philosophical topics come across as opinionated rather than strictly evidence-driven.
The show is often cited for high-quality guests and clear explanations across diverse disciplines.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How does reading work?
Q: So what is that going to look like? Are you literally going to put somebody in an MRI and make them read stuff?
The work uses MEG rather than MRI to measure magnetic fields produced by brain activity while participants read, with devices that can provide high-temporal-resolution data about how words and contexts are processed in real time.
How does reading work?
Q: Tell me about your study. What exactly are you looking at when it comes to how somebody reads text?
The study looks at both how words are processed in the visual field and how upcoming words are represented in the brain, using brain imaging to see how paraphobia (processing of neighboring words) and context influence neural responses and reading speed.
How does reading work?
Q: Could you just tell me how reading works?
Reading unfolds across several stages from recognizing letters and pronouncing text to accessing word meanings and integrating those meanings into sentence context, with ongoing processing across visual and language brain areas.
What's it like for women working in F1?
Q: So, what can you tell me about the inspiration for this?
The inspiration came from extensive Reading about F1 and noticing the absence of discussions about women engineers working in paddocks and garages, which motivated the author to diversify the literature and focus on their lived experiences.
How do you convert CO2 to rock?
Q: How do you translate lab results to real-world scale?
There are pilot projects in Europe, especially Iceland, with companies like Carbfix and Climeworks collaborating to build large storage facilities; the challenge is moving from small-scale experiments to industrial-scale operations.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Oxford Sparks Big Questions

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

The show surveys a wide range of scientific topics through accessible, expert-led conversations. Episodes frequently touch on cutting-edge research in neuroscience, climate science, physics, and health, often linking academic findings to real-world implications such as education, policy, and industry practice. A notable strength is the ability to bring university-level insights to a general audience via engaging, curious hosts and guest researchers from the University of Oxford and beyond. The format tends to mix big-picture questions with concrete examples, making it appealing to listeners who enjoy learning how science explains everyday phenomena and future technologies. The show often features researchers and practitioners who aim to tra... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Oxford Sparks Big Questions?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Oxford Sparks Big Questions:

1. Science Weekly
2. The Rest Is Politics
3. CrowdScience
4. The Politics Show
5. ZOE Science & Nutrition

How many episodes of Oxford Sparks Big Questions are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Oxford Sparks Big Questions?

Recent guests on Oxford Sparks Big Questions include:

1. Ole Jensen
2. Kate Bancroft
3. Dr. Shurui Miao
4. Deborah Valenzi
5. Heather Paxton
6. Bronwyn Percival
7. Frances Percival
8. Anna Fry

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