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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
Forensic Science Ireland
Theoretical Physics
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes354Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Life Scientific

Latest Episodes

Working on a remote tropical island in the Atlantic might sound like some sort of romantic idyll - but trying to conduct scientific research on a windy, isolated volanic outcrop is no picnic, as Lucy Carpenter can attest!

Lucy is an atmopsheric chem... more

As recently as a few years ago, the idea of a self-administered injection that would deliver proven weight-loss results might have sounded fantastical. Today, these medications are a reality and a global phenomenon; hailed in many quarters as “miracl... more

It's a rare thing to encounter a medical specialist who has experience of his field from the expert and the patient perspective - but not unheard of...

Jim Ashworth-Beaumont is an orthotist and prosthetist who spent years helping people adapt to lif... more

Ever heard of the unsuccessful Dutch painter who decided to humiliate his critics by forging Vermeers, which the artworld subsequently dubbed 'masterpieces'? Or the businessman who bought a Marc Chagall painting that he displayed with pride for years... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Pierre Friedlingstein
Prominent climate scientist and Chair in Mathematical Modelling of the Climate System at Exeter University
Exeter University
Episode: Pierre Friedlingstein on carbon’s pivotal role in climate change
Julia Simner
Neuropsychologist and researcher specializing in sensory perception and synesthesia
University of Sussex
Episode: Julia Simner on tasty words and hearing colours
Caroline Smith
Head of Collections and Principal Curator of Meteorites at the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
Episode: Caroline Smith on meteorites and potential ancient life on Mars
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

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
    a month 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 Kingdom7 months ago
  • Small is beautiful!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yamduck
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Not much science

    20 minute life story and only 6 minutes science :(

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    krikukac
    United Kingdom10 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 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
#186
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#233
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#72
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#93
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#201
Germany/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tony Juniper on parrots, princes and environmental protection
Q: What do you think about the Badger Cull?
Tony reflects on his discomfort with the cull, emphasizing their role in supporting the law based on scientific evidence.
Tony Juniper on parrots, princes and environmental protection
Q: What are your big priorities? Give me the headlines.
Tony outlines priorities like recovering ecosystems, reducing pollution, and enhancing food and water security through natural recovery.
Tony Juniper on parrots, princes and environmental protection
Q: So tell me, how do you feel about the state of our natural world today?
Tony expresses a mixture of terror and sadness about the natural state but also optimism about potential recovery.
Pierre Friedlingstein on carbon’s pivotal role in climate change
Q: Can you explain where we're at now regarding the remaining carbon budget?
The concept comes from a linear relationship between carbon emissions and temperature rise, translating that into allowable carbon emissions for temperature limits.
Pierre Friedlingstein on carbon’s pivotal role in climate change
Q: What about the two degrees?
So two degrees is more time—another half a degree, which means we have to reduce emissions.

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 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. The Infinite Monkey Cage
4. CrowdScience
5. Unexpected Elements

How many episodes of The Life Scientific are there?

The Life Scientific launched 15 years ago and published 354 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 The Life Scientific?

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What guests have appeared on The Life Scientific?

Recent guests on The Life Scientific include:

1. Jim Ashworth-Beaumont
2. Jehane Ragai
3. Pierre Friedlingstein
4. Julia Simner
5. Caroline Smith
6. AP De Silva
7. Peter Knight
8. Eleanor Schofield

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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