Scientists on Scientists: Being the Christmas Lecturer - with Chris van Tulleken and Monica Grady
2025 marks the 200 year anniversary of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution, as well as Discourses and Michael Faraday’s discovery of Benzene. We’re celebrating throughout the year to mark the occasion, kicking off with a conversation between two previous Christmas Lecturers Chris van Tulleken and Monica Grady. They discuss their experiences giving the lectures, the importance of science communication to young people, and their advice for their successors.
Find out more about the Discover200 campaign: https://www.rigb.org/discover200-ri
This episode was recorded remotely on Monday 16 December 2024.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Get tickets for upcoming talks and livestreams: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
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Interviewer: Lia Hale
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy
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44:36
Best of 2024: Science wrapped
2024 has been a remarkable year for science, so we're taking a look back over the past year at our most memorable moments here on the Ri Science Podcast. From eggs to AI, sustainable plastics to protein folding, we've discussed a fascinating range of topics with even more fascinating guests including Jess Wade and Charan Ranganath.
We can't wait to see what's in store in science for 2025, and thank you for listening and learning with us in 2024.
With the exception of this episode, Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month.
Presenter: Katie Mortimer
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy
Browse our upcoming talks and livestreams: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on
Watch previous talks: https://www.youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
Follow us on social media @Ri_Science
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29:40
Quantum physics and gender equity - with Jess Wade
2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, as marked by the UN, to celebrate 100 years since the birth of quantum mechanics. But quantum science is one of the least diverse areas of science in terms of gender and other protected characteristics.
Jess Wade, a physicist and lecturer in functional materials at Imperial College London, has been fighting the inequality in quantum physics and beyond by creating thousands of Wikipedia pages for women scientists. Jess joins us this month to discuss the past, present, and future of quantum science along with what can be done to increase diversity within the field.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help other people discover the podcast.
Get tickets for upcoming talks and livestreams: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
X: https://twitter.com/Ri_Science
Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producers: Katie Mortimer, Isla Nakano
Interviewer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy
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52:47
Sustainable materials: Trick or treat? - with Mike Shaver
Halloween means lots of sweets, which in turn means lots of packaging. We’re starting to see more of the packaging on our shelves labelled as sustainable in some way, but are they really? Mike Shaver is a Professor of Polymer Science and Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the University of Manchester, and joins us this month to unpick the current landscape of sustainable materials, and discuss whether or not a fully recyclable plastic is possible.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help other people discover the podcast.
Get tickets for upcoming talks and livestreams: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution X: https://twitter.com/Ri_Science
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy
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35:13
The search for Earth 2.0 - with Elizabeth Tasker
What makes a planet habitable? What are we looking for to find Earth 2.0? And how do you get a chunk of an asteroid through airport security? This month, astrophysicist Elizabeth Tasker discusses the latest missions at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and explores how our knowledge has progressed since she last spoke at the Ri back in 2018.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help other people discover the podcast.
Get tickets for upcoming talks and livestreams: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
X: https://twitter.com/Ri_Science
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy