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Science Weekly

The Guardian
Climate Change
Aging
Amazon Rainforest
Donald Trump
The Guardian
Diabetes
Artificial Intelligence
Obesity
Microplastics
Memory Formation
Testosterone
Elon Musk
Mars
Chronic Lyme Disease
Medicinal Mushrooms
Scottish Tea
Education
Plastic Pollution
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Animal Testing

Twice a week, the Guardian brings you the latest science and environment news

PublishesDailyEpisodes465Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Science Weekly

Latest Episodes

As one of the world’s leading forensic anthropologists, Dame Sue Black has acted as an expert witness in a myriad of high-profile criminal cases. Her work has taken her from the lab to active war zones and the aftermath of natural disasters to identi... more

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Perimenopause has become a hot topic, with celebrities sharing their experiences and doctors offering tips and advice online. But despite the benefits of growing awareness, a rising number of women are now encountering misinformation about treatments... more

YouTube

You Can See Everything, a documentary about the disgraced health tech company founder Elizabeth Holmes, has enjoyed a record-breaking opening in the US. It is a testament to how fascinated we remain by the convicted fraudster, but what is behind the ... more

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In his annual speech on threats to the nation, Sir Ken McCallum, the head of the UK’s intelligence service, MI5, warned that AI had the potential to ‘change the stakes’ on existing and even new bioweapons. To find out why, and how, Ian Sample speaks ... more

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Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Blake Montgomery
Technology editor for Guardian US
The Guardian
Episode: Elizabeth Holmes is back in the spotlight: why can’t we look away?
Tom Inglesby
Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and the Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Episode: ‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons
Robert Booth
UK technology editor for The Guardian, guest discussing AI surveillance at work
The Guardian
Episode: Is your boss watching you? The rise of AI surveillance at work
Colton Scrivner
Psychologist at Arizona State University who studies morbid curiosity
Arizona State University
Episode: The surprising psychology of morbid curiosity
Madeleine Finlay
Co-host of Science Weekly
The Guardian
Episode: Today in Focus: Should we be worried about a plague outbreak?
Julie Flygare
Advocate, narcolepsy survivor, runs Project Sleep
Project Sleep
Episode: Narcolepsy: why you’ve been thinking about it all wrong
Emmanuel Mignot
Professor, involved in narcolepsy research and discovery of orexin pathway
Stanford University
Episode: Narcolepsy: why you’ve been thinking about it all wrong
Steve Ramirez
Associate Professor at the Center for Brain and Memory, Boston University
Boston University
Episode: The incredible science of memory manipulation
Rebecca Seal
Food and health writer; author on consumer exposure to chemicals in homes
The Guardian
Episode: Are household cleaning products damaging our health?

Hosts

Madeleine Finlay
Host of Science Weekly, The Guardian
Ian Sample
Science Editor/Correspondent; co-host conducting interviews and analysis
Nicola Davis
Science correspondent; host of Science Weekly

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • Excellent science podcast

    It’s short and to the point. No irritation effects or padding. Subjects mainly interesting and not obviously agenda driven.

    Not sure having the two of them asking each other questions they already have the answer to adds anything of any value, but apart from that, great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Worcester Boy
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Supremely interesting scientific subjects expressed to the perfect length

    Podcast Addict
    5
    BFG 2000
    2 months ago
  • Re: data centers

    On the subject of AI, Aisha sounded less like a global tech reporter for a major media outlet and more like a proponent of modern day Luddism. Ridiculously low quality journalism.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    AntTrap22
    United States2 months ago
  • Not science

    I thought this was supposed to be a science podcast not a political podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Annz000
    United States5 months ago
  • stuff "0ff Duty"

    I am not interested in listening to "Off Duty"

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australia7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Balanced coverage with accessible explanations keeps me informed without overwhelming detail.
The show's depth and clarity help me understand complex science topics quickly.
Listeners appreciate the practical takeaways and real-world relevance of topics.
Guests are consistently credible and well-prepared.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#92
United States/Science
Spotify
#6
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#33
Canada/Science
Spotify
#28
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#21
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons
Q: What do we need to bring in now to protect us as much as that's going to be possible?
Inglesby proposes access controls for sensitive biological data, government evaluation and approval of powerful AI models before release, and screening orders for nucleic acids to protect the digital-to-physical divide.
‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons
Q: How could AI be used to develop lethal pathogens, and how serious is the threat?
AI could make existing biological knowledge easier to access and could help modify known pathogens or design novel viruses. Inglesby sees the current concern primarily in changes to existing pathogens, while noting that powerful models could increase the capabilities of people seeking to cause harm.
Elizabeth Holmes is back in the spotlight: why can’t we look away?
Q: Why do you think we find Elizabeth Holmes so fascinating both before the truth came out and after?
Montgomery attributes the fascination to Holmes's striking self-assurance, the scale of the scandal, her personal story and the way Theranos connects to broader narratives about technology's influence and powerful tech founders. He also says she remains difficult to understand.
Elizabeth Holmes is back in the spotlight: why can’t we look away?
Q: How did this all begin?
Holmes left Stanford to build Theranos around the claim that it could run a battery of blood tests from a small blood sample. The company attracted high-profile investors and reached a reported valuation of $9 billion, but its technology did not work as promised.
The incredible science of memory manipulation
Q: What ethical considerations should guide this kind of memory manipulation research?
Research should aim for ethically bounded goals focused on health and well-being, with potential uses including reducing trauma or anxiety, while avoiding invasive or dual-use applications that could harm personal autonomy.

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 Science Weekly

What is Science Weekly about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program covers cutting-edge science and environment topics with a brisk, interview-driven format. Episodes typically combine expert analysis from researchers and journalists with practical takeaways for households and businesses, plus occasional investigative features on science policy, funding, or industry dynamics. Guests tend to be researchers, science communicators, and practitioners who can translate complex science into accessible insights. A standout pattern is concise, data-backed explanations paired with clear implications for the real world, making it useful for listeners who want reliable science context for decisions, media planning, or sponsorship alignment. The show often features timely topics—climate, health, biodiversi... more

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1. Today in Focus
2. BBC Inside Science
3. The Audio Long Read
4. The World, the Universe and Us
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How many episodes of Science Weekly are there?

Science Weekly launched 21 years ago and published 465 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 Science Weekly?

Recent guests on Science Weekly include:

1. Blake Montgomery
2. Tom Inglesby
3. Robert Booth
4. Colton Scrivner
5. Madeleine Finlay
6. Julie Flygare
7. Emmanuel Mignot
8. Steve Ramirez

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