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The Life Scientific

BBC Radio 4
Climate Change
Forensic Science
Public Health
DNA Profiling
Criminal Justice
Covid-19
Carbon Emissions
Artificial Intelligence
Carbon Budget
Healthcare
Evolutionary Biology
Lord Mountbatten
Parasport Research
Synesthesia
Paleontology
Theoretical Physics
Forensic Science Ireland
Machine Learning
Heart Transplantation
Marfan Syndrome

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes356Founded15 years ago
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Society & CultureSciencePersonal Journals

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Latest Episodes

Have you ever been told you aren't good enough to do something, then gone ahead and proved the naysayers wrong by doing it anyway - in glorious, headline-grabbing style?

That is the satisfying story of Dr Dean Lomax. Dean grew up in Doncaster with ... more

What if robots of the future weren’t just clever machines, performing tasks in isolation, but trusted teammates you could have a chat with? That could respond naturally to conversational cues and even explain their work?

Making this relationship a ... more

Dr Seth Berkley is an epidemiologist and global health leader whose career has been shaped by one central problem: vaccines save lives, but only if people can actually get them.

His 40-year career has spanned the global, from helping to build Uganda... more

Hiranya Peiris is playing a starring role in a movie that promises to tell perhaps the greatest story of all time. However, it’s a movie with a difference – there’s no director and no script. The Legacy Survey of Space and Time is one of the most amb... more

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Recent Guests

Dean Lomax
World-leading ichthyosaur expert
University of Manchester (honorary research fellow); Paleontology researcher
Episode: Dean Lomax on discovering ichthyosaurs and defying nay-sayers
Helen Hastie
Professor of Human-Robot Interaction and Head of the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Helen Hastie on the future of human-robot relations
Seth Berkley
CEO/Leader in global vaccine initiatives
Seth Berkley (Gavi/Covax founder, IAVI founder)
Episode: Seth Berkley on the importance of vaccinating the world
Hiranya Peiris
Professor of Astrophysics
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Episode: Hiranya Peiris on unravelling the story of the universe
Washington Yotto Ochieng
Professor of Engineering at Imperial College London and President of the Royal Institute of Navigation
Imperial College London
Episode: Washington Yotto Ochieng on the navigation tech that keeps our world moving
Lucy Carpenter
Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, University of York
University of York / Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory
Episode: Lucy Carpenter on how our oceans are destroying ozone
Jens Juul Holst
Professor of Medical Physiology and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
Episode: Jens Juul Holst on the gut hormone discovery behind weight-loss drugs
Jim Ashworth-Beaumont
Orthotist and prosthetist with expertise in prosthetics and orthotics
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Episode: Jim Ashworth-Beaumont on how a near-fatal accident made him a better clinician
Jehane Ragai
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry with a passion for science and arts; authored 'The Scientist and the Forger'.
American University in Cairo
Episode: Jehane Ragai on the science of authenticating artworks

Host

Jim Al-Khalili
Host of The Life Scientific (long-running science interview series).

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • It was great, before the BBC decided to go transphobic.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Len
    2 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom9 months ago
  • Small is beautiful!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yamduck
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Not much science

    20 minute life story and only 6 minutes science :(

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    krikukac
    United Kingdoma year 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 Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticism notes a perceived bias in topics or guests and desire for broader balance.
Listeners praise accessibility and warmth of the host.
Guests are varied and fascinating, spanning many scientific fields.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#202
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#22
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#131
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#44
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#101
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#25
Singapore/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dean Lomax on discovering ichthyosaurs and defying nay-sayers
Q: Can you describe the moment you realized you could contribute significantly to science with your own discoveries?
The plaster-cast ichthyosaur at the Doncaster museum turning out to be real, with a dark mass that suggested stomach contents, solidified his belief that he had a genuine fossil and a path to meaningful research.
Dean Lomax on discovering ichthyosaurs and defying nay-sayers
Q: How did you transition from a stumbling start to publishing your first paper while still young?
A pivotal moment came from working with ichthyosaur experts during a Wyoming dig who encouraged him to write up his find, leading to his first paper describing the specimen and its last meals, which boosted his credibility.
Dean Lomax on discovering ichthyosaurs and defying nay-sayers
Q: What was the early advice you received about your future in science, and how did that shape your path?
Early discouragement from teachers and careers advisors made him push harder to prove himself; he channelled that doubt into a deep-rooted drive to pursue paleontology, eventually finding mentors who helped him write his first papers and continue despite setbacks.
Washington Yotto Ochieng on the navigation tech that keeps our world moving
Q: What was the impact of the Nottingham scholarship on your career, and why did you choose to pursue further studies abroad?
The Nottingham scholarship fundamentally changed my trajectory, giving me access to a master's program and a pathway to a PhD. Studying in the UK broadened my horizons, opened international collaborations, and allowed me to contribute back to my home region in meaningful ways.
Washington Yotto Ochieng on the navigation tech that keeps our world moving
Q: You were born in Kenya and grew up in a large family. How did your early life shape your path into engineering and navigation?
Growing up in a family of many siblings taught resourcefulness and a hunger to excel; intellectual curiosity was encouraged, and early exposure to science through teachers and opportunities pushed me toward engineering and, eventually, GPS/PNT research.

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?

A long-running science interview series that brings leading researchers and thinkers across disciplines to share the story behind their work, career paths, and the societal impact of their discoveries. Episodes frequently balance personal origins, career milestones, and technical insights, making complex topics accessible through human-centric conversations. Listeners can expect a broad range of topics—from climate science and quantum technology to neuroscience and space exploration—delivered with thoughtful questions and clear explanations. The show often features luminaries and rising stars who connect scientific innovation to real-world outcomes, policy, and culture, making it a strong fit for curious, academically minded audiences and p... 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. More or Less
3. Unexpected Elements
4. CrowdScience
5. Discovery

How many episodes of The Life Scientific are there?

The Life Scientific launched 15 years ago and published 356 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. Dean Lomax
2. Helen Hastie
3. Seth Berkley
4. Hiranya Peiris
5. Washington Yotto Ochieng
6. Lucy Carpenter
7. Jens Juul Holst
8. Jim Ashworth-Beaumont

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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