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The Science Show

ABC Australia
Climate Change
Australia
Biodiversity
Artificial Intelligence
Astronomy
CRISPR
NASA
Ecology
Archaeology
Microplastics
Gene Editing
Black Holes
Covid-19
Dark Matter
H5N1 Bird Flu
Mary Somerville
Quantum Mechanics
Astrophysics
Conservation
Mental Health

The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes396Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Science Show

Latest Episodes

The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate.

Most people know the feeling of ticklishness, whether it's the tickle attacks that bring about uncontrollable laughter or the feather-like touch from something brushing against your skin.

But why do we feel ticklish? Can we stop it? And why did we —... more

Dust storms on Mars make the biggest on Earth seem like a gentle breeze. Chelsea Huang describes the Martian conditions which produce humungous dust storms that cover the entire planet.

These little spiders that live in the dark corner of your garage have a pretty crazy sex life. Researchers have known for a while that male redback spiders get eaten during sex — but not only that, they somersault themselves right onto the fangs of t... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Keila Williams
Evolutionary psychologist at Hamilton College
Hamilton College
Episode: As fire ravages the Northern Hemisphere, is Australia ready for a record-breaking El Niño? And why optimists live longer than pessimists
David Bowman
Professor of Pyrogeography
University of Tasmania
Episode: As fire ravages the Northern Hemisphere, is Australia ready for a record-breaking El Niño? And why optimists live longer than pessimists
Tess Maynard
Research scientist specializing in coastal restoration
CSIRO/Beaker Street Festival collaborator
Episode: As fire ravages the Northern Hemisphere, is Australia ready for a record-breaking El Niño? And why optimists live longer than pessimists
Megan Saunders
CSRIO researcher focusing on coasts
CSIRO
Episode: As fire ravages the Northern Hemisphere, is Australia ready for a record-breaking El Niño? And why optimists live longer than pessimists
Sinead Nicholson
Postdoc researcher from University of Western Sydney and UNSW
University of Western Sydney/UNSW
Episode: As fire ravages the Northern Hemisphere, is Australia ready for a record-breaking El Niño? And why optimists live longer than pessimists
Jessica Dempsey
Director of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
Square Kilometre Array
Episode: A moon beyond our Solar System, dust storms on Mars and questioning of reality
Geraint Lewis
Welsh physicist and philosopher, author
University of Sydney / Beaker Street festival connection
Episode: A moon beyond our Solar System, dust storms on Mars and questioning of reality
Jaime Alvarado Montes
Planetary Scientist
Macquarie University
Episode: A moon beyond our Solar System, dust storms on Mars and questioning of reality
Amy Briggs
Journalist
ABC
Episode: A moon beyond our Solar System, dust storms on Mars and questioning of reality

Hosts

Jonathan Webb
Host with a focus on exploring scientific topics through investigative conversation; affiliated with ABC Radio National in multiple roles.
Robyn Williams
Senior science broadcaster and long-time host, known for broad-ranging science coverage and interviews with researchers around the world.
Belinda Smith
Co-host bringing contemporary science communication and a background in presenting and co-hosting science programs.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Does not reflect scientific ideals

    I think that the regular episodes are pretentious and I tune out. The host seems focused on prestigiousity within science, which is not exclusively based on merit. Success in science, and academia in general, is often down to luck and who you know. So, I choose not to lesson to a bulk of the episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Froggy-001
    Australia5 months ago
  • Not just Australia’s treasure

    I live on the opposite side of the world (Pacific Northwest) and have been a faithful listener for more than 20 years. It certainly gives a little taste of life and science in Australia, but it’s important to note that science is absolutely first-rate. Belinda Smith has recently come on as co-host and is a very capable addition to Robyn’s formidable skill set.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michael Carnes
    United States7 months ago
  • Great show! And thanks!

    Ann makes learning fun. I’m a new immigrant (3 years now) and enjoy listening to the show. It’s informative with enough humour so you look forward to new episodes. Good on ya Doc!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mike_mcmullen
    Australiaa year ago
  • Wonderful

    The mixing of arts and politics only serves to underline the presenter’s skill and the central place science occupies in our broader world. Doesn’t treat you like an idiot. Wonderful broad science show with great pieces on wildlife, physics, and advances in medical technology. Outstanding presenter is one of the best interviewers on all radio.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavidCecil
    Australia2 years ago
  • Congratulations Robin Williams and staff.

    Yesterday’s Science Show was even more brilliant than usual especially Prof Tom Griffiths. A million thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    POL!!!!
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans highlight high-quality science storytelling and practical takeaways.
Some criticism mentions occasional off-topic or politics-forward tangents.
Many appreciate the host's interview skills and the broad range of guests.
Listeners praise depth, breadth, and accessibility of complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Monitoring Antarctic glaciers and the science of gluten-free baking
Q: What makes gluten-free baking so challenging compared to traditional bread making?
Gluten provides elasticity and structure; without it, bakers rely on binders like xanthan gum and psyllium husk, and must carefully balance ratios of starchy and protein flours, hydration, and fat to achieve moisture, texture, and extensibility.
Lab Notes: Is space junk destroying the ozone layer?
Q: What regulations are in place already and what could we do further?
The conversation explains that licensing and permitting are handled by national governments under international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty; there is potential for tightening rules and for international cooperation to reduce harms to the atmosphere, including considering Montreal Protocol-style measures.
Lab Notes: Is AI taking over mathematics?
Q: Do you have a favorite unsolved problem that you'd like to see solved, and how has AI changed your approach to it?
Dr. Lee expresses a long-standing aspirational problem related to projective planes and notes that AI, while helpful, requires deep expertise; AI can aid exploration and provide new angles, but human verification remains essential.
Lab Notes: Plants can hear you
Q: But how do we know that plants perceive sound in a way that's meaningful to them, rather than just being physically shaken by vibrations?
Evidence shows that plants not only respond physiologically to sound exposure but also exhibit specific molecular changes, such as altered production of defense compounds when exposed to herbivore-related sounds, indicating a meaningful perception rather than a simple physical reaction.
Science and the budget, bird flu closer to Australia and a guide to pollination
Q: How do scientists decide when to pull the trigger on creating H5N1 vaccines for human use?
Decision criteria include cross-species transmission patterns, signs of mammal-to-mammal spread, and clear signals of potential human-to-human transmission, with regulatory bodies declaring a pandemic as the key switch point.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Science Show

What is The Science Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused, multidisciplinary program that covers biology, physics, astronomy, ecology, and technology through accessible explanations and cross-disciplinary conversations. Episodes frequently pair deep-dive science with real-world applications, policy implications, and historical context, often featuring researchers, historians, and occasionally artists or writers to illuminate complex topics. Unique strengths include high-quality interview dynamics, cross-continental collaborations, and a habit of weaving hands-on demonstrations or visualizable concepts (like flowering cues, neural processes, or space data) into engaging narratives. The show tends to attract curious, educated listeners who enjoy thoughtful debate, practical science... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Science Show?

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How many listeners does The Science Show get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Science Show?

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How many subscribers and views does The Science Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Science Show 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 The Science Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Science Show:

1. What The Duck?!
2. Health Report
3. What's That Rash?
4. Big Ideas
5. Science Friction

How many episodes of The Science Show are there?

The Science Show launched 21 years ago and published 396 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 Science Show?

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 The Science Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Science Show?

Recent guests on The Science Show include:

1. Keila Williams
2. David Bowman
3. Tess Maynard
4. Megan Saunders
5. Sinead Nicholson
6. Jessica Dempsey
7. Geraint Lewis
8. Jaime Alvarado Montes

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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