Speaker Series

Deborah Blum is an acclaimed science journalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and Director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT. With a career spanning decades, she has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between science and the public through her compelling storytelling and her commitment to advancing science literacy. Her influential books, including The Poisoner’s Handbook and The...

For our host Suze, the countdown to Christmas means three things - excitement, new gadgets, and an almost daily dose of Disney in one form or another. So, since it's December, let's tick off a hattrick of all three of those boxes with this special extra-long conversation with Dr Danny Hillis - inventor, innovator, and the founder of Applied Invention. Want to avoid that annual appraisal or procras...

As the Aaron Sorkin global political drama that is 2024 reached its season finale in the USA in November, Suze sat down for a chat about the politicisation of research with Professor Jenny Reardon, Professor of Sociology at the University of California Santa Cruz, and the Founder of Science and Justice Research Center. Jenny and Suze met back in June when they both attended a workshop on Science a...

People who win awards tend to win more awards in the future. Even putting yourself forward for self-nominated awards falls along the lines of privilege and confidence. And even if you win awards, there is no guarantee that it will have a positive impact on your research career as measured by traditional metrics of success. How can we diversify the talents we celebrate and support, and ensure that...

If I said the word “mathematics”, it is a fairly safe bet that reactions would be mixed. While many people love maths, the subject can provoke quite a different response in others. It is common for folks to be transported back in time to childhood memories of formulae written on classroom whiteboards in what feels like a different language. However, mathematician, concert pianist, and author Dr Eu...

For this Speaker Series episode, Suze popped by the home of engineer and godfather of street skating Rodney Mullen in lovely Los Angeles to chat about culture, creativity and community in science and skateboarding. As a chemical engineer, an inventor and innovator, and a professional skateboarder responsible for revolutionising the sport and taking it from the pools to the streets, Rodney is no st...

In this episode of our Speaker Series, Suze meets Dr Maria Avxentevskaya, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, and Dr Ben Johnson, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion. The Max Planck Institute has played a role in many research breakthroughs that have impacted society. In this chat, Maria, Ben and Suze discuss the hi...

Alice Meadows has been working in community engagement with research infrastructure for many years now, with leadership roles at both  ORCiD  and  NISO . Most recently, Alice co-founded the  MoreBrains Cooperative , a consultancy that helps research stakeholders better understand how to build solutions that centre around the research community and respond to its varied and ever-changing needs. In...

In this episode of our Speaker Series, Suze meets Chief Publishing Officer at PLOS, Dr Niamh O'Connor. Niamh started her career as a chemist, before moving into the exciting world of publishing. With a passion for open research, collaboration and inclusion in research, Niamh has been pivotal in nudging the culture of scholarly communications towards openness. As Chief Publishing Officer at  PLOS ,...

In this episode of our Speaker Series, Suze chats with Nobel laureate and former President of the Royal Society Professor Venki Ramakrishnan. Venki began his scientific career as a physicist but, soon after his PhD, he felt he was missing out on researching the concepts that truly fascinated him. He embarked on a quest to find the research area for him and pivoted to structural biology, within whi...

Matyas Kovacs is the co-founder of  futurehain , a strategy and creative agency that elevates the robustness and visibility of scientific ideas and helps them become a reality. He is also an Executive Advisor of the  Falling Walls Foundation . In this episode, Matyas discusses the intersection of science and society. He shares insights into fostering collaboration, enhancing the visibility of scie...

In the ever-evolving landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the underrepresentation of women remains a significant challenge. The impact of this gender disparity is far-reaching, affecting not only the individuals involved but also hindering the potential advancements and innovations that could arise from including broader perspectives and lived experiences and the...

Dr Chris van Tulleken is an award-winning broadcaster, practising NHS doctor and leading academic, and author of "Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn't Food ... and Why Can't We Stop?" In this episode, Chris dives into the science behind ultra-processed foods and their profound impact on our health, bodies, and society. Drawing on insights from his book, Chris unpacks the hidd...