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Working Scientist

Nature Careers
Sustainable Development Goals
Art and Science
Collaboration Between Artists and Scientists
STEM Education
Art
Science
Botanical Illustration
Musical Integration With Science
Art and Science Collaboration
Virology and Biology
Cellular Development
Public Engagement In Science
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The International Science Council
Science Fiction
Data Visualization
Chandrayaan-3
Blue Foods
Mental Health
Transdisciplinary Training

Working Scientist is the Nature Careers podcast. It is produced by Nature Portfolio, publishers of the international science journal Nature. Working Scientist is a regular free audio show featuring advice and information from global industry experts with a strong focus on supporting early career researchers working in academia and other sectors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes220Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceCareersBusiness

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Artwork for Working Scientist

Latest Episodes

Gertrude Nonterah helps researchers step off the academic hamster wheel and seek opportunities beyond their specialty. She does this by tapping into her personal experiences of losing a postdoctoral position when her lab leader’s funding ran out, fol... more

Learning to care less about how you come across in a conference talk, funding pitch or networking event frees you to communicate more naturally and confidently, says Susie Ashfield.

In the second episode of a podcast series focused on six books abou... more

In the first episode of a podcast series focused on six books about the scientific workplace, Cordelia Fine tells Holly Newson why she wrote Patriarchy, Inc: What we Get Wrong About Gender Equality and Why Men Still Win at Work.

Fine, a psychologist... more

In his role as research director at NielsenIQ, a consumer intelligence company based in London,  Josh Balsters helps global brands drive product innovation.

Balsters relies on expertise he gained in psychology and neuroscience, both during his PhD a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Susie Ashfield
Speech and communication coach, author of Just Fucking Say It
Susie Ashfield Coaching
Episode: Nervous networker or conference presenter? Care less, says speech coach Susie Ashfield
Cordelia Fine
Academic and author of Patriarchy, Inc. and Why Men Still Win at Work
Episode: Women in science are not a ‘problem to be fixed’
Josh Balsters
Neuroscience Director at NielsenIQ
NielsenIQ
Episode: Why an industry career move is a taboo topic in academia
Ashley Ruba
UX researcher
Meta
Episode: Why an industry career move is a taboo topic in academia
Alison Behie
Biological Anthropologist, head of the School of Archaeology and Anthropology at the Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Academia’s parent trap: the struggles faced by researcher mothers
Karen Jones
Researcher at the Institute of Education, University of Reading, UK
University of Reading
Episode: Academia’s parent trap: the struggles faced by researcher mothers
Elaine Howard Eklund
Co-author of 'Failing Families, Failing Science'
Episode: Academia’s parent trap: the struggles faced by researcher mothers
Ashley Ruber
Current UX researcher at Meta with previous experience in academia
Meta
Episode: Academia’s parent trap: the struggles faced by researcher mothers
Krista Harrison
Social scientist at the University of California, San Francisco
Episode: When a colleague dies: exploring academia's "death-denying culture"

Hosts

Holly Newson
Host of the series; associated with Nature Careers
Adam Levy
Host of Off Limits and related series; regular host of show
Julie Gould
Host of Working Scientist; frequent host across episodes

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Fire the music director

    Way too much!! The mans words are enough. You dont need whipped cream on top!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    RHQ22
    United States2 years ago
  • Terrible production undermines great content

    I am dismayed that Nature has put out a podcast that features diverse voices, but then fails to bring the production quality to a baseline minimum professional level. It tells me that diverse voices, in this case the voices of Disabled scientists, are not actually valued at Nature. Long gaps, awkward cuts, and a ongoing pattern of poor production reveal that these podcasts are not reviewed by an editor before release. Is would be MUCH better to release decent-quality podcasts on the timeline aff... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ComeOnnn
    United States3 years ago
  • Woke nonsense

    Some decent content but poorly produced. Now overly going with “diversity,” you lost me.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Cornerstone member
    United States5 years ago
  • Great content and very helpful

    The content is great and is really helpful for young researchers, looking forward to more episodes! Is it possible to increase the volume though? I find it hard to hear when I’m outdoor, especially the guest speaking part. Thanks!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Herbal candy
    Singapore5 years ago
  • Good content, TERRIBLE execution

    This could be a great podcast for scientists. But it is unlistenable at times. Other times you can’t hear the guest without turning the volume all the way up which you immediately regret when the host starts talking again. It doesn’t seem like the host or anyone at Nature or anyone involved with production (assuming it’s anyone besides the host) listens to the podcast before publishing it. I would love to be involved with this podcast because it has so much potential but the quality of productio... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jtcanes
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the strong focus on practical career guidance and candid, experience-based storytelling from scientists who've navigated both academia and industry.
Some feedback highlights production quality issues and pacing, with calls for more consistent editing and sound design to match the quality of the ideas and guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#231
United States/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#187
Canada/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#237
United Kingdom/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#192
Italy/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#245
Germany/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#18
South Korea/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nervous networker or conference presenter? Care less, says speech coach Susie Ashfield
Q: What is the best way to present a pay rise request in a negotiation?
Prepare a clear case, anticipate the other side, present a binary ask, and outline next steps to show what happens after the decision, emphasizing collaboration and shared goals rather than confrontation.
Nervous networker or conference presenter? Care less, says speech coach Susie Ashfield
Q: So if a scientist is going into a room to pitch for funding, what would be something that you think they need to know before they enter that room?
They should focus on two key questions: Why am I there and what is my objective, and what is the one sentence the audience needs to hear, ensuring the message is about how the investment will benefit them and save or improve outcomes, not just about the presenter's credentials.
Women in science are not a ‘problem to be fixed’
Q: To start off with, why did you want to write this book?
Fine explains the topic is important because current debates around gender in the workplace have been distorted by two misleading visions: one that claims evolution explains the gaps as natural and unproblematic, and another that collapses diversity into purely financial returns; she argues for a nuanced view that focuses on social structures and justice.
Why an industry career move is a taboo topic in academia
Q: What do you think needs to change in academia to reduce this taboo?
Both guests emphasize a mindset shift: recognizing that a PhD does not guarantee a faculty position, normalizing industry careers at conferences, and expanding professional development to better prepare researchers for non-academic paths.
Why an industry career move is a taboo topic in academia
Q: How did your peers react when you announced your move publicly?
Ashley Ruba describes a viral response and widespread solidarity, followed by surprise from colleagues who thought she would stay in academia, highlighting how visibility can both normalize and challenge taboos.

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 Working Scientist

What is Working Scientist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A podcast focused on the realities of scientific careers, especially for early-career researchers navigating academia, industry transitions, and the broader culture of science. Episodes frequently tackle gender dynamics, parental considerations, career planning beyond traditional trajectories, and the personal, institutional, and policy-level barriers shaping scientific work. Notable patterns include in-depth conversations with researchers who've moved from academia to industry, discussions of parenting in research environments, and explorations of resilience, inclusive practices, and the evolving landscape of scientific careers. A distinctive strength is its blend of personal storytelling with practical guidance, inviting guests from acade... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Working Scientist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Working Scientist:

1. Science Weekly
2. Discovery
3. BBC Inside Science
4. Science Vs
5. More or Less

How many episodes of Working Scientist are there?

Working Scientist launched 18 years ago and published 220 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 Working Scientist?

Recent guests on Working Scientist include:

1. Susie Ashfield
2. Cordelia Fine
3. Josh Balsters
4. Ashley Ruba
5. Alison Behie
6. Karen Jones
7. Elaine Howard Eklund
8. Ashley Ruber

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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