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The Life Scientific

BBC Radio 4
Forensic Science
DNA Profiling
Criminal Justice
Lord Mountbatten
Covid-19
Forensic Science Ireland
Theoretical Physics
Carbon Dioxide
Public Health
Food Security
Human Brain
Climate Change
Dinosaurs
Paleontology
Nuclear Energy
Astrophysics
Human Evolution
Population Ageing
Healthcare
Quantum Mechanics

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes328Founded14 years ago
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ScienceSociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Latest Episodes

Have you ever pondered the fact that the universe is expanding? And not only that, it's expanding at an increasing speed - meaning everything around us is getting further and further away?

If that isolating thought makes you feel slightly panicked,... more

How much information can you extract from a burnt fragment of human bone?

Quite a lot, it turns out - not only about the individual, but also their broader lives and communities; and these are the stories unearthed by Jacqueline McKinley, a Princip... more

Surgeons often have to deal with the consequences of violent attacks - becoming all too familiar with patterns of public violence, and peaks around weekends, alcohol-infused events and occasions that bring together groups with conflicting ideals.

Pr... more

Doyne Farmer is something of a rebel. Back in the seventies, when he was a student, he walked into a casino in Las Vegas, sat down at a roulette table and beat the house. To anyone watching the wheel spin and the ball clatter to its final resting pla... more

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Recent Guests

Brian Schmidt
Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist and professor at Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Brian Schmidt on Nobel Prize-winning supernovae and the joys of making wine
Jacqueline McKinley
Principal osteoarchaeologist with Wessex Archaeology and expert in cremation and burial practices.
Wessex Archaeology
Episode: Jacqueline McKinley on unearthing bones and stories at Britain's ancient burial sites
Jonathan Shepherd
Emeritus Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Cardiff University and director of the Crime, Security and Intelligence Innovation Institute.
Cardiff University
Episode: Jonathan Shepherd on a career as a crime-fighting surgeon
Doyne Farmer
American scientist and entrepreneur known for pioneering chaos theory and complex systems.
Director of the Complex Economics Programme at the Institute for New Economic Thinking at Oxford
Episode: Doyne Farmer on making sense of chaos for a better world
Dr Victoria Tori Herridge
Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
Episode: Tori Herridge on ancient dwarf elephants and frozen mammoths
Tim Peake
British astronaut and aeronaut, known for being the first British astronaut to complete a spacewalk.
European Space Agency
Episode: Tim Peake on his journey to becoming an astronaut and science in space
Anna Korre
Environmental engineer and co-director of Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, focused on CO2 storage technology.
Imperial College London
Episode: Anna Korre on capturing carbon dioxide and defying expectations
Rosalie David
The UK's first female professor of Egyptology
University of Manchester
Episode: Rosalie David on the science of Egyptian mummies
Peter Stott
Climate Scientist at the UK’s Met Office and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Met Office
Episode: Peter Stott on climate change deniers and Italian inspiration

Host

Jim Al-Khalili
A renowned physicist and author, Jim Al-Khalili hosts discussions with leading scientists, connecting personal narratives with scientific inquiry. His expertise in physics and engaging interview style enhance the accessibility and appeal of complex scientific topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • So interesting

    Fascinating interviews with leading scientists making their work accessible to non-specialists and giving an insight into the roots of their scientific inquiry by combining exploration of their work with the story of their life. The interviewer, a physicist himself, brings courtesy and insight to the interview process.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JulietFS
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Must Listen

    Great interviews of a diverse range of scientists from Nobel laureates to lesser known but equally amazing scientists across all fields.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrisPODNerd
    Australia2 months ago
  • Great interviews

    My favourite is without doubt , Tim Peake .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Evie.lynne60
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Reliably fascinating and thought-provoking

    Jim Al-Khalili is an excellent interviewer - knowledgable, well-prepared and warm - and communicates with apparent effortless ease with both the interviewee and audience. The guests’ work is always fascinating. This series is such a great way to learn about scientific developments.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ACR2727
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Too biased

    It’s very sad to see this show go downhill. It used to be about scientific facts and was really interesting, but lately it’s gone down a one-sided path.

    To take just a couple of recent episodes, we have Peter Stott on Climate Change deniers - but no balancing discussion from any of the literally thousands of scientists who say that clime change is a nonsense, or we have Bill Gates on conspiracy theory, but nothing from the mountain of evidence and ‘coincidences’ that need challenged - and there... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    KB2105
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

This series is such a great way to learn about scientific developments.
The guests’ work is always fascinating.
Great interviews of a diverse range of scientists from Nobel laureates to lesser known but equally amazing scientists across all fields.
Fascinating interviews with leading scientists making their work accessible to non-specialists.
Jim Al-Khalili is an excellent interviewer - knowledgeable, well-prepared and warm.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#126
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#58
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#14
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#30
Philippines/Science
Apple Podcasts
#32
India/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jacqueline McKinley on unearthing bones and stories at Britain's ancient burial sites
Q: What do you remember about your first experience with forensic anthropology?
It involved identifying burnt remains that were mixed with animal bones to conceal the identity.
Jacqueline McKinley on unearthing bones and stories at Britain's ancient burial sites
Q: When it comes to ancient cremation sites, what sort of things might you discover there?
You can discover identifiable skeletal elements, age, sex, pyre goods, and insights into mortuary practices.
Brian Schmidt on Nobel Prize-winning supernovae and the joys of making wine
Q: What did your discovery of the accelerating universe mean for our understanding of the cosmos?
It upended the previous belief that gravity would slow the universe down, revealing instead that gravity is working in reverse and the universe is accelerating.
Jonathan Shepherd on a career as a crime-fighting surgeon
Q: How do you deal with the emotional toll of studying intentional conflict-based injury?
Training helps, and my Christian faith provides a significant source of guidance throughout my career.
Jonathan Shepherd on a career as a crime-fighting surgeon
Q: What got you first thinking about the link between public violence and A&E admissions?
It happened during my training in Leeds, where I observed more assault patients being treated during local strikes, which highlighted the link between social behavior and violence.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Life Scientific

What is The Life Scientific about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring conversations with leading scientists, this series explores the lives and work of those at the forefront of scientific discovery. Each episode uncovers how personal experiences and motivations drive their groundbreaking research, yielding insights into diverse fields such as climate science, evolutionary biology, and medicine. The format uniquely blends personal stories with scientific inquiry, allowing for a deep appreciation of both the individuals behind significant advancements and the implications their work has for society. The podcast is particularly noteworthy for its ability to make complex scientific topics accessible and engaging for a general audience.

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How many listeners does The Life Scientific get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Life Scientific have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Life Scientific?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Life Scientific:

1. BBC Inside Science
2. Science In Action
3. More or Less: Behind the Stats
4. Curious Cases
5. The Infinite Monkey Cage

How many episodes of The Life Scientific are there?

The Life Scientific launched 14 years ago and published 328 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 The Life Scientific?

Recent guests on The Life Scientific include:

1. Brian Schmidt
2. Jacqueline McKinley
3. Jonathan Shepherd
4. Doyne Farmer
5. Dr Victoria Tori Herridge
6. Tim Peake
7. Anna Korre
8. Rosalie David

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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