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The Life Scientific

BBC Radio 4
Forensic Science
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Covid-19
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Theoretical Physics
Carbon Dioxide
Public Health
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Human Brain
Climate Change
Dinosaurs
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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes346Founded14 years ago
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SciencePersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Life Scientific

Latest Episodes

Caroline Smith is passionate about space rocks, whether they’re samples collected from the surface of asteroids and the Moon and hopefully Mars one day soon, or meteorites, those alien rock fragments that have survived their fiery descents through ou... more

From humble beginnings in his native Sri Lanka, to a more than 40 year academic career at Queen’s University Belfast, Prof. AP (Amilra Prasanna) De Silva’s research into molecular photosensors has led to a pioneering career in that’s evolved from che... more

There are problems and tasks so hard and complicated that it would take today’s most powerful supercomputers millions of years to crack them. But in the next decade, we may well have quantum computers which could solve such problems in seconds.

Pro... more

In July 1545, King Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle on England's south coast as his fleet sailed out to face the French - only to witness his prized warship, the Mary Rose, sink before his eyes.

Raised from the Solent in 1982, the ship is no... more

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Recent Guests

AP De Silva
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and pioneer in photochemistry and molecular computing
Queen's University Belfast
Episode: AP De Silva on building molecular fluorescence sensors for healthcare
Peter Knight
Emeritus Professor at Imperial College London and pioneer in quantum optics and quantum information.
Imperial College London
Episode: Peter Knight on quantum technologies
Eleanor Schofield
Director of Collections at the Mary Rose Trust, expert in materials engineering and conservation science.
Mary Rose Trust
Episode: Eleanor Schofield on conserving Tudor warship the Mary Rose
George Church
Geneticist, Molecular Engineer, Professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT
Harvard Medical School, MIT
Episode: George Church on reimagining woolly mammoths and virus-proofing humans
Gareth Collett
Retired British Army Brigadier General and engineer specializing in bomb disposal.
University of Wales Trinity St David
Episode: Gareth Collett on a career in bomb disposal
Sonia Gandhi
Clinician scientist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease.
University College London and Francis Crick Institute
Episode: Sonia Gandhi on building model brains to tackle Parkinson’s disease
Mark O'Shea
A Professor of Herpetology and scientific associate in herpetology at the Natural History Museum.
University of Wolverhampton
Episode: Mark O'Shea on close encounters with venomous snakes
Pratibha Gai
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at York University, pioneer in electron microscopy
York University
Episode: Dame Pratibha Gai on training atoms to do what we want
Claudia de Rham
Professor of Theoretical Physics at Imperial College London, focusing on massive gravity.
Imperial College London
Episode: Claudia de Rham on playing with gravity

Host

Jim Al-Khalili
Host of The Life Scientific, a physicist known for engaging interviews with leading scientists.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Misinformation on climate

    05/12/2023: Sir Harry Bhadeshia on the choreography of metals: interesting and clearly an expert in his field, but why does he believe co2 is a pollutant when it’s vital for life! Also, taxing steel manufacture is madness and will deprive the developing countries, where Sir H comes from, from cheap steel to catch us up economically and reduce poverty/inequality!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Swiss-wilson
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Small is beautiful!

    Such a difficult subject to attempt to enlighten the listener. Great job

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yamduck
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Not much science

    20 minute life story and only 6 minutes science :(

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    krikukac
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Love this pod

    An excellent podcast, especially (and at last) the interview with Anthony Fauci. The host, Jim Al-Khalili,is brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jjlm77
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Very good

    I love this podcast it’s so fun and interesting also all the experts are so fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    99bubble12
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews highlight the engaging and respectful style of the host, which fosters a natural conversation.
Listeners appreciate the diverse range of guests and their fascinating personal stories in science.
Some critiques express that episodes can spend more time on personal narratives rather than scientific content, suggesting a desire for a balance between storytelling and detailed science discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#146
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#8
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#93
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#53
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#178
Germany/Science
Apple Podcasts
#231
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AP De Silva on building molecular fluorescence sensors for healthcare
Q: How did you come to choose chemistry?
I was lucky to meet a teacher named Errol Fernando who showed me that chemistry is where we transform matter, and that message resonated with me.
AP De Silva on building molecular fluorescence sensors for healthcare
Q: How does it feel to have had a hand in helping to successfully support treatment for so many critically ill patients?
I feel seriously humbled, attributing much of my success to the kindness and help of others.
AP De Silva on building molecular fluorescence sensors for healthcare
Q: What is it about manipulating matter down at the molecular scale that you find so fascinating?
The ability to take molecules and stitch them together to create something greater than the individual parts, preserving some properties while introducing new emergent properties.
Peter Knight on quantum technologies
Q: What are some applications of quantum computing?
Quantum computing can revolutionize drug design and improve processes like nitrogen fixation for fertilizers.
Peter Knight on quantum technologies
Q: How does a quantum computer operate differently from classical computers?
Quantum computers can solve complex problems much faster by changing what's called the complexity class of those problems.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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 offers a unique insight into their lives, motivations, and groundbreaking research. Guests range from esteemed Nobel laureates to lesser-known yet equally fascinating figures in the scientific community, all sharing compelling narratives that connect personal experiences with their scientific journeys. The host guides discussions that not only unravel the intricacies of various scientific fields—including physics, biology, and environmental science—but also highlight the human stories behind the discoveries, making complex topics accessible to a general audience. The focus on personal narratives intertwined with scientific inquiry sets it apart as a must-listen for anyone interest... more

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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
4. Curious Cases
5. Unexpected Elements

How many episodes of The Life Scientific are there?

The Life Scientific launched 14 years ago and published 346 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. AP De Silva
2. Peter Knight
3. Eleanor Schofield
4. George Church
5. Gareth Collett
6. Sonia Gandhi
7. Mark O'Shea
8. Pratibha Gai

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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