R.Science podcast

R.Science is the Royal Society's main podcast.

Each month we bring you the latest news on the wide range of activities happening at the Society.

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In each episode we also ask a scientist or public figure to answer the question 'why science?'. A collection of answers that some of them have given is available.

Latest episode

• May 2013 –  Brian Cox on Britain, a Great place to do science?
  In this episode of R.Science, we hear highlights of Professor Brian Cox’s lecture that packed the Royal Society to the rafters earlier this year. We also find out how you could monitor Parkinson’s disease over the phone and celebrate 50 years of science funding with the Wolfson Foundation. Rosalind Franklin’s sister will discuss some personal memories of the celebrated scientist and we delve into the science and politics of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
  
  

  00:34 Extracts from the Faraday Prize Lecture, by Professor Brian Cox
  07:17 Dr Max Little and Dr Mark Ungless ask “Should we monitor Parkinson’s over the phone?”
  11:13 The Royal Society and the Wolfson Foundation celebrate 50 years of funding science
  13:37 Dr Greg Lynall explores the satire of science in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
  17:22 Dr Jenifer Glyn discusses her book, “My sister Rosalind Frankin”
  19:13 Dr Max Little answers, Why Science?

Previous episodes

• April 2013 - Party for a Past Fellow and the Future of Medicine
  In this episode, we ask if growing old is an illness, hear about the potential of stem cells to treat visual impairment and discuss the prospect of personal avatars in computational biomedicine. We also explore the perils of predicting the weather and celebrate the work of Darwin's friend, Sir John Lubbock.
  
  00:40 Dr John Clark on Sir John Lubbock,
  07:40 Dr Rachel Pearson from the Edinburgh Science Festival on her work using stem cells to treat visual impairment,
  13:07 Prof Peter Coveney FRS and Prof Peter Hunter FRS on computational biomedicine for Interface Focus,
  19:05 Dr Matthew Piper URF on his Cafe Scientifique: Is growing old an illness?
  25:05 David Shukman, Science Editor for BBC News, Tim Palmer FRS, Professor of Climate Physics, and Liz Howell, Head of BBC Weather on predicting and reporting adverse weather,
  32:57 Dr Rachel Pearson answers, Why Science?
  
• March 2013 - Spring Smörgåsbord
  In this episode, we will find out why our fingers wrinkle in the bath, the science of British Sign Language, and what a former President of the Royal society thinks about the role scientists can play in science education.
  
  00:28 Sir Martin Rees, former PRS, on SCORE and science education,
  05:55 Professor Gordon Plotkin, winner of the 2012 Royal Society Milner Award, on the symantics of programming language,
  08:58 Professor Bencie Woll, on British Sign Language,
  16:47 Dr Tom Smulders, Biology Letters paper author, on wrinkly fingers,
  21:02 Sir Martin Rees, answers why science?
  
• February 2013 - The Secret Life of Life
  In this episode, we will span both the big and small, finding out more about our solar system and our genes. We hear about a mission to find life on one of Saturn’s moons and a quest to find the secrets of life and disease inside the human genome.
  
  

  00:20 Professor Michele Dougherty, Discovery of a dynamic atmosphere at one of Saturn’s moons, Enceladus. (Public Lecture)
  04:16 Dr Ewan Birney, What can we learn from our genes? (Café Scientifique)
  08:24 Professor Adrian Bird, Genetic, Epigenetics and disease. (The Royal Society GlaxoSmithKline Prize lecture)
  11:30 Prof. Dougherty: Why science?

• January 2013 - Happy new year from the Royal Society
  In the first episode of 2013 we present a scientific smörgåsbord of recent Royal Society happenings. We look inside volcanoes at a Café Scientifique and into ponds with a school benefitting from one of our Partnership Grants. We also hear from some of our University Research Fellows and an author from one of our recent journals.
  
  (00:35) Thames Ditton Junior School.
  (02:28) What's going on inside volcanoes? Dr Alison Rust.
  (06:24) University Research Fellows: Chris Aldridge (UCL) and Eddie Cussen (University of Stratchlyde).
  (12:20) Why Science? Professor Michael Elphick (Queen Mary, University of London)
  
• December 2012 - Science in Industry and Romance in Chemistry
  In this month’s episode: hear from the winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books, find out about our forthcoming Year of Science and Industry and explore the new Royal Society exhibition: Romantic Chemistry.
  
  (00:16) James Gleick, winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books.
  (02:21) Simon Campbell, Year of Science and Industry coordinator.
  (04:48) Professor Tim Leighton, winner of The Brian Mercer Award for Innovation in 2011.
  (06:19) Professor Vincent Walsh, Royal Society Industry Fellow, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL.
  (09:25) Romantic Chemistry with Martyn Poliakoff, chemist and Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society.
  
• November 2012 - The Royal Society Young People's Book Prize
  This month’s episode celebrates the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize. We hear from the children and adults who took part in the judging process, the shortlisted authors and the winner, Robert Winston.
  
  (00:39) Mark Champkins, Inventor in Residence at the Science Museum and one of the judges, with Alex Frith, author of shortlisted ‘See inside Inventions’
  (02:13) Young judges at Northlands School
  (05:23) Robert Winston, winning author of ‘Science Experiments’
  (06:08) Clive Gifford, author of shortlisted ‘Out of this world: all the cool bits about space’
  (07:20) Richard Platt, author of shortlisted ‘Plagues, pox and pestilence’
  (09:03) Christiane Dorion, author of shortlisted ‘How the weather works’
  (10:23) Richard Dawkins, author of shortlisted ‘The magic of reality’
  
• October 2012 - Scientific Heroines and Heroes
  This month: discover how the Royal Societyare trying to tackle the lack of information about scientific Heroines on Wikipedia and hear what this year’s Royal Society Wilkins-Bernal-Medwar Lecturer had to say about scientific Heroes. We also learn about handling uncertainty in weather and climate prediction.
  
  (00:26) Dr Roger Highfield: Director of External Affairs at the Science Museum Group and this year’s Royal Society Wilkins-Bernal-Medwar Lecturer.
  (10:11) Professor Uta Frith FRS: scientific heroine and new Wikipedia editor.
  (13:13) Professor Tim Palmer FRS: Chair of the Royal Society Theo Murphy International Scientific Meeting on handling uncertainty in weather and climate prediction and Liz Stephens who spoke at the meeting.
  
• September 2012 - Science Policy and Poetry
  In this month’s podcast we hear from the chairs of two of the Royal Society’s recent science policy reports; on Shale Gas Extraction and Science as an Open Enterprise. We also discover the fine scientific illustrations of the poet Edward Lear, featured in our current exhibition.
  Robert Mair: Chair of the Shale Gas Extraction Report (00:40)
  Geoffrey Boulton: Chair of the Science as an Open Enterprise Report (04:27)
  Jonathan Ashmore: Chair of the Library Committee (08:57)
  
• August 2012 - The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
  If you missed any or all of our Summer Science Exhibition, this month’s podcast revisits a few of the highlights. Find out how insects smell, discover the drowned landscape of Doggerland, and ask some lichen, how clean is my air?
  
• July 2012 - A Summer of Science
  The best of the science festival season. Here at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, explore both the evidence and entertainment value of forensic science; and meet mathematical adventurer Alex Bellos and climate evolution expert Mark Maslin at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
  
• June 2012 - Science Writing
  Find out what it takes to write science books from one of the judges of the Royal Society's annual prize, Jasper Fforde and author of Chasing Venus, Andrea Wulf. Also, Tim Bliss uncovers the mysteries of memory.
  
• May 2012 - Science in schools
  Join us at the SCORE conference as Dr Becky Parker explains the importance of scientific research within schools, and hear from the pupils of Britannia Village Primary School as they tell us about their own Partnership Grants research project on chickens. One of our Industry Fellows also describes the impact of his fellowship.
  
• April 2012 - People and Planet
  Join Nobel Prize winner Sir John Sulston FRS as he explains the findings of the Royal Society's latest major policy study, People and Planet, and find out all about the book that Samuel Pepys called "the most ingenious book that I ever read".
  
• March 2012 - A galaxy of science stars
  An intergalactic line up of guests this month, starting with Dr Zita Martins - who uses meteorites to look back in time - followed by Dr Chris Lintott of BBC One’s Sky at Nightprogramme (recent winner of the Royal Society Kohn Award) and finishing off with Royal Society Foreign Secretary and YouTube superstar Professor Martyn Poliakoff.
  
• February 2012: Computing past and present (mp3)
  This month, we’re looking at computing past and present, as we speak to two eminent figures from the world of computing, as well as hearing about the treasures of the Royal Society library.
  
• January 2012: Partnership grants and more (mp3)
  This episode is all about education as we hear from some of the students and teachers who have been taking part in the Royal Society's Partnership Grants scheme.  Also, Professor Athene Donald, Fellow of the Royal Society and Chair of the Royal Society’s Education Committee fills us in on why she’s not your average physicist.
  
• December 2011: Between the lines (mp3)
  In this episode, science and literature collide as we celebrate the 2011 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books by speaking to the winner and some of the shortlisted authors.
  
• November 2011: One Culture (mp3)
  Following a short break, this episode brings highlights from One Culture: festival of literature and arts which took place in October.  We also hear from Professor Ed Larson who gives an interesting new view on Captain Scott’s famously tragic polar expedition.
  
• August 2011: More Summer Science in the city (mp3)
  This episode brings further highlights of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition, some of this year's exhibitors tell us how to look for what's hidden in your holiday luggage, whilst other explore the magnetosphere to explain the stunning phenomenon known as the Northern Lights.
  
• July 2011: Summer Science in the city (mp3)
  In celebration of the Summer, this episode brings you highlights from the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition 2011.  For six days at the start of July this exciting exhibition brought hundreds of researchers face-to-face with members of the public eager to engage with a wide range of interactive exhibits - from computer face perception to talking primates.
  
• June 2011: Science Live (mp3)
  This month we get a sneak preview of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition and we learn about the Society's historical connections to Arabic science.
  
• May 2011: The art of collaboration (mp3)
  This month a Royal Society Industry Fellow tell us about his experience of working both in academia and in industry. We find out how large scale collaboration is yielding answers to big questions at the Large Hadron Collider, and we look into the science of science policy.
  
• April 2011: Nanowires (mp3)
  In this episode one of the Society's University Research Fellows tells us about a new development in optoelectronics, we also hear from Professor Dave Garner FRS about the latest plans for the journal  Philosophical Transactions A, and we uncover the mysteries of a two hundred year old love letter.
  
• March 2011: Brainwaves (mp3)
  In this episode, we spend a day in the life of a Royal Society University Research Fellow, we look at a new report which examines the implications that neuroscience could have for education and lifelong learning; and we join Professor Uta Frith and Keith Moore, Head of Library and Archives at the Royal Society Centre for History of Science, for a look into an intriguing illustration.
  
• February 2011: 'Education, Education, Education' (mp3)
  In this episode, we hear from Professor Dame Athene Donald FRS, Chair of the Royal Society Education Committee, who tells us about the latest 'State of the Nation' report from the Royal Society's Education section.  We also delve into the Society's archives to find some "Evil Results..." and hear from one of the participants of the Royal Society's Pairing Scheme.
  
• January 2011: 'Happy new year' (mp3)
  In our first episode for 2011, we hear how the Royal Society’s new President Sir Paul Nurse, a Nobel prize-winning biologist recognised for his work on the factors controlling the division and shape of cells, was introduced to science. We also see further into the science of vaccines and make a poetic discovery in the Royal Society archives.
  
• December 2010: '350th Anniversary Special' (mp3)
  A special bumper edition, in which we look back at a fantastic 350th anniversary year. Hear Martin Rees's final anniversary address, get a taste of the Royal Society's anniversary report 'Science Sees Further', listen to the best of "why science?" and much more.
  
• October 2010: 'Science Books Prize' (mp3)
  In this month's episode R.Science brings you exclusive interviews from the Royal Society prize for science books, as well as hearing about exciting new developments in book digitisation.
  
• September 2010: 'Beyond limits' (mp3)
  In this episode R.Science goes beyond the limits as we find out how the new biology of ageing is helping us to explore the challenges posed by ageing related diseases. Professor Uta Frith explains what neuroscience can tell us about lifelong learning. Fred Pearce gives his views on an increasing population and Professor John Sulston answers the question Why Science?
  
• August 2010: 'People and the Planet' (mp3)
  In this episode we find out about a recent study launched by the Royal Society on population called ‘People and the Planet’. We also hear about the relationship between disease and climate change from the pioneering transplant surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub. We take a tour across 350 years of science history at a Royal Society exhibition and Sir David Attenborough gives his perspectives on the population study and answers the question Why Science?
  
• July 2010: 'See Further: The Festival of Science + Arts Special' (mp3)
  In the July episode of R.Science we have some of the highlights from See Further: The Festival of Sciene + Arts which took place at Southbank Centre, celebrating 350 years of the Royal Society. We find out about a car powered by coffee as we visit the BBC One: Bang Goes the Theory Interactive Area, we hear from some of the scientists exhibiting at the Summer Science Exhibition and we join a cafe scientifique discussion about how science communicates.
  
• May 2010: 'Giants of Medical Science' (mp3)
  This episode celebrates two giants of medical science - Alexander Fleming, who revolutionised medicine through his discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics, and Joseph Lister, the father of antiseptic surgery. Both were Fellows of the Royal Society and have been the subjects of lectures at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons recently. We also attended a special day of events to commemorate Dorothy Hodgkin on the centenary of her birth and in recognition of her breakthrough achievements in Chemistry, where we talked to three Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows about their research and what the award means to them.
  
• April 2010: 'Celebrating science around the world' (mp3)
  This episode celebrates the launch of Ethiopia’s new Academy of Sciences by looking at science in Africa. We speak to Jackie Olang, Network Coordinator of NASAC (the Network of African Science Academies), as well as exploring the Indian contribution to World Mathematics with Professor George Joseph, Honorary Reader in Mathematics at the University of Manchester. There are some fascinating insights from the joint Royal Society and Tate Modern symposium ‘Rising to the Climate Challenge’ and an interview with Jo Hopkins, the Royal Society’s picture curator, on Turning the Pages™.
  
• March 2010: 'Unsung heroes of science' (mp3)
  In this episode hear from some of the unsung heroes of science - the winners of the Royal Society Hauksbee awards. We also find out why maths is so important in everday life as Carol Vorderman explains. Sir Martin Taylor tells us what is in store for the UK in this Scientific century and Dame Julia Higgins answers ‘Why Science?
• February 2010: 'Anybody out there?' (mp3)
  In this episode we join the scientific search for extra-terrestrial life. We also find out how the Royal Society has a historical connection with the Tower of London and Professor Paul Berkman of the Scott Polar Research Institute, answers ‘Why Science?’
  
• January 2010: 'Science is Policy' (mp3)
  In this episode we find out about the role of science in diplomacy. We also find out how the Society helps scientist experiment with Parliament and Professor Mohamed Hassan, President of the African Academies of Science answers the question Why Science?
  
• December 2009: 'The Value of Science' (mp3)
  In this shorter than usual episode we hear from Professor Helga Nowotny on the economic, social, political and cultural value of science. We also look again at the Royal Society’s report on Geoengineering. Professor Nowotny answers the question Why Science?
  
• November 2009: 'Food and Fossils' (mp3)
  In this episode we find out how science can help deal with the global food crisis, what fossils tell us about the evolution of humans in Britain and whether or not specially designed prosthetic limbs can offer an advantage to athletes. Professor John Pickett, Director of the Rothamsted Research Institute's new Centre for Sustainable Pest and Disease Management, answers the question: Why Science?
  
• October 2009: 'The DNA Debate' (mp3)
  In this episode we talk DNA with Alec Jeffries on the 25th Anniversary of his discovery of DNA profiling. Director of Liberty, Shami Cakrabarti joins the conversation as we look at some of the ethical issues around this discovery. We also find out how images have helped our understanding of science with Professor John Barrow and we re-examine the past with as we look at the secret of Dr Granville's mummy which was subject to the first ever scientific autopsy. Climate scientist and founder of the Gaia hypothesis, James Lovelock, answers the question: Why Science?
  
• September 2009: 'Geoengineering the Climate' (mp3)
  In this episode we find out whether painting your roof white could help to save the planet at the launch of the new Royal Society policy report on geoengineering the climate. We also go on a trip to Devon to join archeologists at Kent's Cavern. We also discover why monkeys are listening to Metallica and Liberty's director Shami Chakrabarti answers the question: Why Science?
  
• August 2009: 'Robot Science' (mp3)
  In this episode we find out how robots can be made to learn from humans and how the latest developments in social robotics are changing the ways we interact with them. We are also warned about the impact of climate change on species being protected in our national parks as we talk to Dr Richard Leakey FRS who recently gave a lecture on Climate change and extinction. We have the second part of our series on the possible link between talent and autism. Also, Dr Mark Lythgoe answers the question: Why Science?
  
• July 2009: 'Summer Science' (mp3)
  The Royal Society' Summer Science Exhibition enjoyed great success this year with a record number of visitors. We're taking a tour of some of the exhibits. Also we find out why more girls are born than boys in the tropics as we take a look at the latest journal news. We also hear the story of an autistic savant with an incredible skill for memorising music in the first part of our series exploring the links between talent and. Plus Sir David Attenborough tells us about the impact climate change is having on our coral reefs. Finally, Dr Harold Varmus FRS answers our question: Why Science?
  
• June 2009: 'Two Cultures' (mp3)
  The second episode of the Royal Society podcast. The Royal Society’ Summer Science Exhibition is back and we’re taking a sneak preview of what’s in store. Also in this episode of R.Science, the bizarre mating habits of spiders are laid bare when we take a look at the latest journals news. Plus, fifty years after CP Snow’s controversial lecture on Two Cultures we ask Professor Marcus Du Sautoy if a divide still exists today, and Dr Harold Varmus tells us what Obama really meant about returning science to its rightful place. Finally, Dr Richard Leaky FRS answers our question: Why Science?
  
• May 2009: 'Tunnelling Underground' (mp3)
  The Inaugural Royal Society podcast. How do you make a tunnel in ground as soft as toothpaste? Professor Robert Mair FREng FRS who recently gave a lecture at the Society answers our questions on the modern complexities of tunnelling. This episode also features an interview with Professor Elaine Fox who discusses her paper on the genetic basis for looking on the bright side and 2007 Rosalind Franklin Award winner Professor Ottoline Leyser answers our question: Why Science?