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Science Weekly

The Guardian
Climate Change
Aging
Donald Trump
Amazon Rainforest
Public Health
Artificial Intelligence
Obesity
Mars
Health Risks
Diabetes
Mental Health
Alcohol
Elon Musk
Nutrition
Weight Loss
Psychology
Covid-19
Microplastics
The Guardian
Vaccination

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes465Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Science Weekly

Latest Episodes

An outbreak of Ebola has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, leading to nearly 400 confirmed cases and more than 100 deaths. To find out how the outbreak might have begun, what authorities can do to contain it and why this outbrea... more

The US supreme court dealt a devastating blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act when it ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states cannot consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority-Black... more

Madeleine Finlay sits down with co-host and science editor Ian Sample to discuss three eyecatching stories from the week, including an update on hantavirus. Also on the agenda is the Pentagon’s release of a tranche of never before seen documents rela... more

Last month President Trump signed an executive order designed to fast track both research and access to psychedelic drugs as treatments for mental health illnesses. The most prominent in the order was ibogaine, a drug derived from the root bark of a ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mattha Busby
Health, human rights and environment journalist
The Guardian
Episode: Strange trip: why Trump is backing psychedelics
Patrick Barkham
Natural history writer
The Guardian
Episode: 100 years on Earth: celebrating David Attenborough’s birthday
Jonathan Ball
Professor of Tropical Disease Biology
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Episode: Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
Rebecca Seal
Food and health writer
The Guardian
Episode: Food intolerances: how do you know if you have one?
Aisha Down
Reporter covering artificial intelligence for The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: Mythos: are fears over new AI model panic or PR?
Sophia Hayes
Professor of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Episode: Helium: the invisible gas that powers AI, and why it’s in short supply
David Molyneux
Professor Emeritus of Tropical Disease Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Episode: Can we eradicate a second human disease?
Heather Massey
Associate Professor at University of Portsmouth, Extreme Environments Laboratory
University of Portsmouth
Episode: Sauna and cold plunge: where does the evidence stand?
Jan Wörner
Former Director General of the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
Episode: Does going to the moon still matter?

Hosts

Madeleine Finlay
Host of Science Weekly; affiliated with The Guardian
Ian Sample
Science Editor and co-host; provides editorial context

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • stuff "0ff Duty"

    I am not interested in listening to "Off Duty"

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australia2 months ago
  • Awww

    Love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Exlibris.
    Germany3 months ago
  • I really appreciate the short episodes with as much science and credibility as can be squeezed in.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    5 months ago
  • Thankful for this Podcast

    Thank you for this informative and well researched Podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maggihr
    Austria5 months ago
  • Wiggy woggy

    Get a life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tru Voordwire
    Canada6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticisms mention episode crusts or promotional plugs affecting pacing.
Listeners praise the show for balanced, informed science coverage and clear host-guest dynamics.
Many cite accessibility and practical takeaways, even on complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#86
United States/Science
Spotify
#5
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#53
Canada/Science
Spotify
#30
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#37
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
Q: What explains the unusual outbreak on the MV Hondias and what are the next steps for containment?
Outbreaks are generally contained, but a captive, contained population like a cruise ship increases risk if the virus is introduced; authorities will test disembarked passengers, monitor those onboard, and enforce isolation and decontamination measures as needed.
Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
Q: How common is human-to-human transmission, especially in the cruise ship context?
Human-to-human transmission is rare, but there is evidence of transmission among people in very close proximity, such as family members and healthcare workers, with potential transmission via contaminated materials and possibly sexual contact.
Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
Q: What is hantavirus and how is it transmitted in humans?
Hantavirus circulates in rodents across different continents, with transmission to humans primarily through exposure to rodent urine or feces; dried excreta can become airborne and be inhaled, and people regularly exposed to rodents are at higher risk.
Hantavirus update, Pentagon’s UFO files, can art slow biological ageing?
Q: But Ian, what do you think can actually really be drawn from this study?
The study shows correlations between arts engagement and biological aging based on epigenetic clocks, but it cannot prove causality; more robust interventional studies would be needed to establish any causal link, though the association is intriguing and may inform public health strategies.
100 years on Earth: celebrating David Attenborough’s birthday
Q: What do we mean by Attenborough's legacy beyond public admiration—has it translated into action?
The discussion suggests that his programmes reflected rather than dictated public mood, yet modern series increasingly carried explicit environmental messages that spurred awareness and, in some cases, policy or behavioral shifts.

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?

The show offers concise, journalist-led explorations of contemporary science, technology, health, and the environment. Recent episodes foreground global energy geopolitics, AI and warfare, and cutting-edge health and biology topics, often featuring expert guests and researchers who break down complex science for a wide audience. Across topics, the tone remains accessible, aiming to connect policy, research, and real-world impacts without overloading listeners with jargon. A few episodes stand out for tackling controversial funding in science, the societal implications of new technologies, and health questions with practical takeaways for everyday readers and professionals alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Science Weekly?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Science Weekly. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Science Weekly and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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How many subscribers and views does Science Weekly have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Science Weekly has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Science Weekly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Science Weekly:

1. The Audio Long Read
2. Today in Focus
3. BBC Inside Science
4. CrowdScience
5. Unexpected Elements

How many episodes of Science Weekly are there?

Science Weekly launched 20 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.

How do I contact Science Weekly?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Science Weekly?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Science Weekly from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Science Weekly?

Recent guests on Science Weekly include:

1. Mattha Busby
2. Patrick Barkham
3. Jonathan Ball
4. Rebecca Seal
5. Aisha Down
6. Sophia Hayes
7. David Molyneux
8. Heather Massey

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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