
Ri Science Podcast
By The Royal Institution


From the Lab: How mathematics is powering medical innovation – with Becky Shipley
Medical research is continuously evolving with new technologies, but another key player in spurring this evolution is mathematics. Mathematician and healthcare engineering expert Becky Shipley joins us to discuss the role mathematics is playing in medical research, and some of the fascinating and innovative technologies she's been a part of developing.
About 'From the Lab':
This is the first of our new 'From the Lab' series, taking the place of our 'From the Theatre' episodes. UCL are celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2026, and we've collaborated with them to host UCL researchers as our Discourse speakers throughout 2026. As part of this collaboration, we'll be bringing you episodes with each of these speakers two weeks before their Discourses to explore their research topics further and give you a sneak peek of what's to come in their Discourse.
Buy tickets to Becky's Discourse on Friday 30 January on our website.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and 'From the Lab' episodes are released on the second or third Friday of the month (two weeks before their respective Discourse). Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

Best of 2025: Science wrapped
From the scientific mechanisms underlying ACL injuries, the application of computational fluid dynamics in the COVID-19 pandemic, and even the latest space mission on the way to Mercury, we've covered an enormous range of science on the Ri Science Podcast throughout 2025.
In this year's Science Wrapped episode, we take a look back over our favourite moments from the past year to give you a snippet of what you might have missed, and a taste of what's to come in 2026.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer and presenter: Joshua Horton
Executive producer: Lia Hale

From the Space Park: What will BepiColombo teach us about Mercury? - with Suzie Imber
We’re bringing you this month’s From the Theatre episode from the Space Park in Leicester, joined by Professor of Space Physics Suzie Imber. Suzie is a Co-Investigator on the Mercury Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer (MIXS) instrument onboard BepiColombo, the joint mission between ESA and JAXA currently on its way to Mercury. We explore the history of Mercury investigations, why it has been studied so much less than other planets, and what scientists are hoping to learn from BepiColombo.
To discover more space science, tune into the 200th CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock on 28th, 29th and 30th December on BBC4 and BBC iPlayer.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

Tripping the light fantastic: Space science and 200 years of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES - with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock
This December, space scientist and renowned science communicator Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock will be presenting the CHRISTMAS LECTURES in their 200th year titled ‘Is there life beyond earth?’.
Maggie joins us on the podcast this month to explore the history of space imaging and the huge number of projects she has worked on throughout her career, as well as her experiences navigating the scientific world and some of the biggest questions remaining in space science today.
Tune into the CHRISTMAS LECTURES this December between Christmas and New Year, on BBC Four and iPlayer.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Find out more about the 2025 CHRISTMAS LECTURES
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Lead producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Assistant producers: Mohsina Asif, Poppy Aves, Mia Buxton

From the Excel: Upcoming science in 2026 from New Scientist Live
In this month's 'From the Theatre' episode, we visited New Scientist Live at the Excel to explore what scientists are most excited about for 2026. From insects performing amputations to the latest developments at the Large Hadron Collider, discover what innovations are happening across a range of scientific disciplines.
This episode was recorded on Sunday 19 October 2025.
Presented and produced by Lia Hale
Music by Joseph Sandy
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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How mechanical engineering is changing the world - with Shini Somara
Mechanical engineer and broadcaster Shini Somara joins us this month to uncover some of the fascinating and often under-appreciated innovations in the world of engineering, ahead of her double bill of talks at the Ri on Saturday 1 November.
Shini discusses how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) transformed our understanding and management of Covid-19, and how the field has changed dramatically with the computing advancements and introduction of AI in recent years.
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Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Produced and presented by Lia Hale
Music by Joseph Sandy

From the Theatre: Should computers run the world? - with Hannah Fry
In this month's From the Theatre episode, we revisit past Christmas Lecturer Hannah Fry's talk on the power of algorithms to continue celebrating our Discover200 campaign.
Hannah Fry takes us on a tour of the good, the bad and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us. She lifts the lid on their inner workings, to demonstrate their power, expose their limitations, and examine whether they really are an improvement on the humans they are replacing.
This talk was filmed at the Ri on 30 November 2018.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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The science behind sickle cell disease - with Sara El Hoss and Stephanie George
Sickle cell disorder is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells, and can have an extreme impact on all different areas of the body. September marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month, so we wanted to draw attention to the science underlying this often-misunderstood disease. We are joined by researcher Sara El Hoss and sickle cell patient and advocate Stephanie George to discuss everything from the diagnostic journey to the fascinating research investigating future treatment methods.
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of depression and self-harm. If you are struggling with things of this nature, we have linked some resources below to help you find the right support for you.
Mental health resources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Sickle Cell resources:
https://www.sicklecellsociety.org/
https://www.instagram.com/redcellsrus/
https://www.instagram.com/steph_has_sicklecell_/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/
Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Poppy Aves
Music: Joseph Sandy
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Browse upcoming talks and livestreams on our website
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From the Theatre: The science of mental health - with Camilla Nord
We're bringing you even more Spotify content, by sharing one of our world-famous lectures on every second Wednesday of the month through 'From the Theatre' episodes. Don't worry, Ri Science Podcast episodes are still coming every last Wednesday, but these will help to tide you over in the meantime.
How does the body affect our brain, and vice versa? Can exercise, psychedelics, or the gut biome improve your mental health? Find out with neuroscientist Camilla Nord.
This talk was recorded at the Ri on 4 March 2024.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Is data failing us? - with Grace Huckins
Everywhere you look across the scientific landscape, AI and big data play a vital role. But is that role good or bad? This year’s Nine Dots Prize question looked to tackle just that, and award-winning science journalist and neuroscientist Grace Huckins’ entry was deemed the most innovative.
Grace joins us this month to discuss how AI could be changing the way science operates, and how data has transformed the field of neuroscience specifically.
Read an extract from Grace’s winning essay: https://ninedotsprize.org/extract-from-grace-huckins-winning-entry/
Producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Poppy Aves
Music: Joseph Sandy
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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What can dogs teach us about the microbiome? - with Bushra Schuitemaker
How similar is your microbiome to your dog’s? How do volcanoes influence the microbiome of the earth? And what links the microbiome to epilepsy?
It’s not just the gut that has a microbiome – everything from your phone screen to the soles of your shoes has a community of microorganisms residing together that forms a microbiome. But the microbiome in the gut specifically has a huge impact on our bodily functioning, and we can learn a lot about our own gut microbiome by looking at those of domesticated animals like dogs.
This month, we’re joined by Bushra Schuitemaker, a microbiologist and head of science and research at Biome9, to understand what we can learn from the microbiomes around us.
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!
Producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Learn more about Biome9 and Dogileptic

The science behind ACL injuries in women's football - with Blake Rivers and Grace Vella
The Women's Euros kick off next Wednesday, once again bringing attention to the epidemic of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football. But why is it that women are six times more likely to suffer from these injuries, and what research is being done to understand it further?
This month we’re looking at the science behind the ACL, and what factors researchers are investigating that influence injury susceptibility. We’re joined by Blake Rivers, whose PhD at Kingston University is being funded by FIFA to investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle on ACL injuries, and Grace Vella, a footballer and entrepreneur who is 5 months into her ACL rehabilitation following on from reconstructive surgery.
Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Jessica Hibbert
Music: Joseph Sandy
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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De-westernizing the history of science - with Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh
When we think of the biggest historical figures in science, names like Isaac Newton and Michael Faraday tend to come to mind. But the discoveries made by these individuals could never have happened without the contributions of countless others around the world, whose names and stories are often left out of the picture.
Former Royal Institution Freer Fellow Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh spoke at the Ri to shed light on some of these untold stories, and to help us adopt a more global understanding of the history of science.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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This talk was recorded in the Theatre at the Royal Institution on Monday 14 May 2024
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

Understanding antimicrobial resistance - with Gabriel Astorga
How do microbes including bacteria become resistant to treatment? What can we do to prevent it? And why do we have tuberculosis to thank for the creation of cowboy hats? This month, PhD student and award-winning science communicator Gabriel Astorga joins us to answer all these questions and more, as we look under the hood of antimicrobial resistance.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Read more about the UKHSA campaign here
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

How climate change affects the brain - with Clayton Aldern and Sanjay Sisodiya
John Tyndall first announced his discovery of greenhouse gases in a Royal Institution Discourse back in 1862. Since then, our understanding of the science of climate change has come on leaps and bounds in some areas, but in others we are only just scratching the surface.
This month, we hear from neuroscientist-turned-journalist Clayton Aldern and Professor of Neurology Sanjay Sisodiya about how climate change affects our brains. From memories passed through generations to the impact of heat on neurological disorders such as epilepsy, we dive deeper into the neuroscience underlying climate change.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

Statistical uncertainty in the modern world - with David Spiegelhalter
Sir David Spiegelhalter is a national treasure in the world of statistics, achieving everything from a knighthood to appearing on Total Wipeout.
In light of giving the first Discourse in their bicentennial year, David explores how risk and uncertainty have affected his own life, and how to understand the statistics we see every day.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

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, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Interviewer: Lia Hale
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

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, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Presenter: Katie Mortimer
Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

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, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producers: Katie Mortimer, Isla Nakano
Interviewer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

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, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

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, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

The brain on exercise - with Dr Flaminia Ronca
Today marks the beginning of the Paralympic Games, and nearly 3 weeks since the end of the Olympic Games in Paris. But what actually happens to your brain when you exercise? What’s the science behind ‘runner’s high’? And why isn’t there enough research on women in sport? This month, we’re joined by exercise neuroscientist Flaminia Ronca, from UCL and the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health. She shares with us which chemical and physiological systems are involved when we exercise, and how regular exercise can decrease our chances of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer and presenter: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Isla Nakano
Music: Joseph Sandy

How women drove evolution - with Cat Bohannon
Why is there less medical research on women? How did humanity reach 8 billion despite the dangers of childbirth? In this episode, Cat Bohannon explores these questions and reveals insights from her book, Eve: How Women Drove 200 Million Years of Evolution, to highlight women’s pivotal role in our species’ history. This talk was recorded at the Royal Institution on 8 June 2024.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Eloise Ross
Executive producer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

The science of cheese - with Bronwen Percival
To celebrate National Cheese Day earlier this month, we sat down with biochemist and cheese expert Bronwen Percival to look under the barrel at the science of one of the nation’s favourite foods. From the basics of cheese production to the biochemistry underlying its notorious smell, and even some cheese tastings, this episode guarantees to open your eyes to the captivating world of cheese.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Freddie Rodgers
Interviewer: Isla Nakano
Music: Joseph Sandy

Eggs, Evolution, and life on Earth - with Jules Howard
What came first, the chicken, the egg, or...the jellyfish? Zoologist and author Jules Howard joins us this month to explore evolution through a new lens - the egg. Eggs play a fundamental role in the reproduction and development of most species, yet they have been relatively overlooked in the narrative of evolution and the progression of life on Earth.
Jules takes us on a journey back through the history of eggs, their surprisingly fundamental role in everything from the extinction of dinosaurs to the evolution of the human brain.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Interviewer: Lia Hale
Music: Joseph Sandy

The neuroscience of memory - with Charan Ranganath
Why is it that we can vividly remember a particular smell from years ago, but can’t remember where we put our keys a mere few hours prior? This month, we’re joined by renowned neuroscientist and author Dr Charan Ranganath to discuss how and why we remember.
Charan is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, and Director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at UC Davis, and has recently released his first book ‘Why We Remember’. Charan takes us on a journey through our own minds, and a forward look at the future of memory research.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Freddie Rodgers
Interviewer: Lisa Derry
Music: Joseph Sandy

Ri on AI: The healthcare revolution – with Dr James Kinross
In the second episode of this miniseries, we’re exploring how AI is impacting different areas of scientific research, and in this episode we discuss the applications of AI in healthcare. Lisa Derry is joined by Dr James Kinross, a colorectal surgeon and medical researcher at Imperial College London, to discuss everything from the impact of AI on medical publishing to robotic surgery.
- Ri on AI episode 1: https://youtu.be/lxgaILSZEbU?si=T3INFIFJy9Zkx1wZ
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Lead producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Freddie Rodgers
Interviewer: Lisa Derry
Music: Joseph Sandy

Geometry in Everyday Life - with the London Institute of Mathematical Sciences (LIMS)
Following on from his Discourse, Yang-Hui He is joined by LIMS science writer Madeleine Hall to discuss the past, present and future of Geometry. From Euclid’s postulates to how flower petals are arranged, explore how our modern understanding of geometry has come to be. LIMS is based here at the Ri, and you can find out more about their research by following the link below.
New Ri Science Podcast episodes will be released on the last Wednesday of every month, so make sure to tune in for the next episode at the end of March!
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Jeremy Monblat
Assistant producer: Lia Hale, Freddie Rodgers
Editor: Freddie Rodgers
Interviewer: Jeremy Monblat
Music: Joseph Sandy

Ri on AI: Understanding AlphaFold with Dame Janet Thornton
We’re exploring how AI is impacting different areas of scientific research, and in this episode we discuss AlphaFold, the machine learning programme from DeepMind that can determine a protein structure from its amino acids alone. Lisa Derry is joined by Dame Janet Thornton, an oracle of bioinformatics and former Director of the European Bioinformatics Institute, to discuss how AlphaFold has revolutionised its field, and what it could do in the future.
Thank you to our Christmas Lectures supporters and our title partner, CGI.
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think of the new video format, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producers: Sarah Dick and James Kavanagh
Interviewer: Lisa Derry
Music: Joseph Sandy

Tales from my PhD: Algorithms for energy efficiency – with Karan Mukhi
How can we improve the use of renewable energy in the power grid? In the final episode of the series 'Tales from my PhD', Charlotte Collingwood talks to Karan Mukhi about his work in computer science, creating algorithms to improve the efficiency of the national grid.
Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @NeuroCharlotte
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Tales from my PhD: Fighting rice blast fungus – with Camilla Molinari
How do you fight a fungus? In this episode of ‘Tales from my PhD’, Charlotte Collingwood talks to Camilla Molinari about her work in plant pathology, studying the mechanisms and genetics of the rice blast fungus in order to limit its impact on food crops.
- Follow Camilla on Twitter: @CamilaMolinari3
- Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @NeuroCharlotte
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Charlotte CollingwoodMusic by: Joseph Sandy

Tales from my PhD: Researching anxiety and depression through computational models – with Sophie Shang
How can maths and computational models help us treat anxiety and depression? In this episode of 'Tales from my PhD', Charlotte Collingwood talks to Sophie Shang about her research in the field of computational psychiatry. A hallmark symptom of anxiety and depression is an intolerance of uncertainty. Sophie's work involves designing studies to test people's response to changes in their environment, analysing the data mathematically and then coding computational models in order to reveal patterns in human behaviour and mental health that are otherwise invisible.
- Follow Sophie on Twitter: @Sophie_Shang
- Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @NeuroCharlotte
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think.
- Get tickets for upcoming talks and livestreams: rigb.org/whats-on
- Watch videos on YouTube: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
- Follow us on social media: twitter.com/Ri_Science
Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Tales from my PhD: Saving manta rays – with Jessica Savage
There are an estimated 5 trillion plastic particles in the oceans, spelling trouble for marine ecosystems. Manta rays are one group of species at risk – how can we protect these animals? In this episode of 'Tales from my PhD', Charlotte Collingwood talks to Jessica Savage about her work analysing the species distribution of manta rays and global plastic pollution maps to aid marine science and conservation.
- Follow Jessica on Twitter: @Jessicasavage29
- Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @NeuroCharlotte
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy

How to hear gravitational waves – with Tessa Baker
How can we detect massive objects in space when we can't see them by light?
On 14 September 2015, scientists opened a new window to observing the Universe when, for the first time, they directly detected gravitational waves, rippled out through spacetime from the merger of two black holes.
In this episode, astronomer Tessa Baker explores how Einstein’s theory of gravity predicted the existence of gravitational waves, how delicate experiments eventually confirmed their existence, and how we cantranslate this experimental data into sounds, allowing us to hear the Universe.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 19 May 2023.
- Watch the talk on YouTube: youtu.be/U_J_uJcjQ0I
- Follow Tessa Baker on Twitter: @Tessa_M_Baker
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Sarah Dick
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Tales from my PhD: What is galaxy evolution? – with Rohan Varadaraj
Astrophysicists grapple with the Universe's big questions, but what does their day-to-day research actually entail? In the first of our new mini-series, 'Tales from my PhD', Charlotte Collingwood sits down with Rohan Varadaraj to discuss his work discovering new galaxies billions of light years away.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy

How did patriarchy develop across the world? – with Angela Saini and Julia Gillard
How did societies develop across the globe and how did gender become so enmeshed in them? In this episode we join award-winning science journalist, Angela Saini, in conversation with former Australian prime-minister, Julia Gillard, as they go in search of the roots of gendered oppression. By looking at cultures throughout human history and in the modern day, they overturn simplistic universal theories to show that what patriarchy is and how far back it goes really depends on where you live.
Get Angela Saini's book: The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 2 March 2023.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Sarah Dick
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Can science explain emotions? – with Dean Burnett
Did you know that there is no widely agreed upon definition of what emotions actually are? After losing his dad to Covid-19 in the early days of the pandemic lockdown, neuroscientist Dean Burnett found himself wondering what life would be like without emotions. In today’s episode, Dean combines his personal story with expert analysis, humour and powerful insights into the grieving process, to uncover how emotions make us who we are.
Get Dean's book: 'Emotional Ignorance: Lost and Found in the Science of Emotion'
Subscribe to Dean's podcast: 'Why does this thing exist?'
Follow Dean on Twitter: twitter.com/garwboy
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 30 January 2023.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
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Produced by: Sarah Dick
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Tackling climate change with innovation – with Alyssa Gilbert and Katherine Mathieson
How could we use shower wastewater to clean our clothes? To celebrate Earth Day and its specific focus on investing in the planet, we wanted to introduce you to ‘Undaunted’ - our partnership with Imperial College London that supports climate-positive startups tackling the climate crisis head on. We hear from Alyssa Gilbert, Director of Undaunted, and Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Ri, about the exciting work Undaunted is doing, alongside a sneak peek into some of the innovations.
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Contact Katherine: kmathieson@ri.ac.uk
Contact Alyssa: a.gilbert@imperial.ac.uk
Learn more about Undaunted: imperial.ac.uk/climate-change-innovation/about-us/
Learn more about Greenhouse startup accelerator: climateinnovators.uk/startup-accelerator/
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Produced by: Lia Hale
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Existential physics: Exploring life's big questions – with Sabine Hossenfelder
Are particles conscious? Can information be destroyed? Do we live in a computer simulation? Are we part of a multiverse? In this episode, theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder draws on research in quantum mechanics, black holes and particle physics to explore what modern physics can tell us about life's big, existential questions.
Watch the video version of this episode: youtu.be/fl9oDJzfg58
Sabine's book "Existential Physics: A Scientists Guide to Life's Biggest Questions", is available to purchase now: https://geni.us/oBMXZv
Subscribe to Sabine's YouTube channel: youtube.com/SabineHossenfelder
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 19 August 2022. Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
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Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy

Bad statistics: How not to be misled – with Jennifer Rogers
You might have heard that vending machines are more likely to kill you than a shark, but they aren’t the only deadly object out there. You’re also more likely to be killed by falling coconuts, lightning strikes, bathtubs and your own bed. Swimming in shark-infested waters might actually be safer than hiding in your own house.
In this episode, statistician Jennifer Rogers delves into the numbers to show you how statistics can help you to make better decisions about risky activities.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
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This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 11 March 2019.
Produced by: Charlotte Collingwood
Music by: Joseph Sandy
Thumbnail image credit: Javaistan via Pixabay

How Peter Higgs proposed the Higgs boson – with Frank Close
On 4 July 2012, one of the longest-running mysteries in physics was finally clarified. The ATLAS and CMS collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider announced that they had produced and observed the elusive Higgs boson. This unstable elementary particle was theorised back in 1964 by 6 scientists – one of them was the particle’s namesake, Peter Higgs.
In this episode, physicist and former Ri Christmas Lecturer, Frank Close, explores the life of Peter Higgs, a Nobel prize-winning scientist and the only person in history to have an existing single particle named after them.
- Get Frank Close's book 'Elusive: How Peter Higgs Solved the Mystery of Mass': https://geni.us/KI6As1C
- Watch Frank Close's CHRISTMAS LECTURES: rigb.org/explore-science/explore/video/cosmic-onion-atoms-1993
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 7 July 2022.
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Produced by: Sarah Dick
Music by: Joseph Sandy
Thumbnail image credit: Garik Barseghyan via Pixabay

How to handle heart disease – with Samer Nashef
Do Diet Coke and salt cause heart disease? How do you transport a heart to be transplanted? How can you learn to live with angina? In this month's talk, we hear from world-renowned cardiac surgeon Samer Nashef. Samer discusses his book, ‘The Angina Monologues: Stories of Surgery for Broken Hearts’, with journalist Sathnam Sanghera.
Together they explore a collection of Samer’s stories that are sure to get your heart racing – from driving a donor heart up the motorway to Samer's personal experience with angina.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 8 May 2019.
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Produced by: Lia Hale
Music by: Joseph Sandy
Thumbnail image credit: Fran Malley via Scribe Publications

CHRISTMAS LECTURES special: Inside forensic science – with Dame Sue Black & Katherine Mathieson
In this Christmas-special we go behind-the-scenes of our 2022 CHRISTMAS LECTURES, presented by Professor Dame Sue Black. Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Ri, managed to steal Sue away from rehearsals for a quick chat about her CHRISTMAS LECTURES memories, science communication and what we can expect to learn about forensic science.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
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Produced by: Sarah Dick
Music by: Joseph Sandy
Thumbnail image credit: Paul Wilkinson Photography

How does proton beam therapy treat cancer? – with Simon Jolly
An advanced form of radiotherapy, proton beam therapy enables tumours to be targeted with greater precision, reducing the collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Physicist Simon Jolly sheds light on this leading-edge technique and the technology needed to deliver it.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 12 October 2018. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8YnQkUWTS64
Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel

How did females evolve? – with Lucy Cooke
Did you know that zoologists have only found 5 species of mammals that go through the menopause? That's 4 species of toothed whale, plus us humans. The animal kingdom reveals a lot about female evolution and this month, Lucy Cooke explores evolutionary biology through an array of animal examples and research stemming from Darwin's time.
Get Lucy Cooke's book 'Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal': www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/111196…80857524133.html
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 8 March 2022. Please leave this episode a rating and a review to let us know what you think, and to help more people discover the podcast.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Is the multiverse possible? – with Sean M Carroll
If you're a fan of multiverse movies, this episode is for you. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics says that an infinite number of universes exist in parallel to eachother, each having branched off in a moment of divergence before following its own unique timeline.
Theoretical physicist Sean M Carroll guides us through the strange and sometimes daunting topic of quantum mechanics – from Einstein and Bohr to Schrödinger's cat and the many-worlds interpretation.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 22 January 2020.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
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How we got to the climate crisis – with Alice Bell
Our exploration of the Earth’s fluctuating environment is an extraordinary story of human perception and scientific endeavour, which began much earlier than you might think.
This month we hear from Alice Bell as she explores climate change science’s earliest steps in the 18th and 19th centuries, through the point when concern started to rise in the 1950s, right up to the modern day. You can learn more in Alice’s latest book 'Our Biggest Experiment: A History of the Climate Crisis’.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 22 July 2021.
Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
Subscribe to our YouTube channel

How to design a rollercoaster – with Brendan Walker
Do you consider yourself a ‘thrill-seeker’? If so, you may have a variation in the DRD4 dopamine receptor gene which makes you less able to process dopamine, a neurotransmitter that's responsible for how we feel pleasure.
This month we hear from thrill-engineer Brendan Walker as he explains how he designs rollercoasters to induce thrill, priming our bodies’ innate responses through sounds, visual cues, virtual reality and much more.
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 28 February, 2020. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/edT9bUbKId4
Get tickets for upcoming talks: www.rigb.org
Twitter: twitter.com/Ri_Science
YouTube: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
Patreon: patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution
Thumbnail image credit: Jonny Gios via Unsplash | unsplash.com/photos/ljN0zTXf7tQ

What is love? – with Laura Mucha & Kate Devlin
Does love at first sight exist? How does your attachment style influence how you love? This month we hear from lawyer-turned-poet and author, Laura Mucha, and artificial intelligence expert, Kate Devlin, about love and relationships. They share real love stories, explore what companies learn about you through online dating and discover what the future holds for sexual companion robots.This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on 14 February 2019.Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released!
Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website
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How to make a universe – with Harry Cliff
This talk was recorded from our theatre at the Royal Institution on the 10 August 2021. Watch the video version on YouTube: youtu.be/bzV4O85n2y8
Learn more in Harry Cliff’s book, ‘How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch’: geni.us/harrycliff
Website: www.rigb.org
Twitter: twitter.com/Ri_Science
YouTube: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
Patreon: patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution
Thumbnail image credit: Lucas Taylor/CERN via Wikimedia Commons | cdsweb.cern.ch/record/628469