That's What I Call Science!

What is the link between maths, first life on earth and creativity? Listen to find out how maths is all around us. Niamh Chapman and first time co-host but previous guest on the show, Mibu Fisher interview Dr Rowena Ball about her passion for and lifelong dedication to maths. Tune in to hear maths like you've never heard it before. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapm...

Music and science meet in the life of Emily Sheppard, a classical musician and environmental scientist who composes music about nature and plays in caves, fields and forests. Emily, Kate and Niamh talk about the nexus of science and art and how emotion can be used for powerful communication. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Kate Johnson (@KatePlantPhys) Pro...

Hear Dr. Carly Tozer from the CSIRO explain how models are used to predict the future of Australia’s climate to inform the nation's farmers and industries to better deal with climate variability and climate extremes. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Kelsey Picard (@KelseyOnScience) Production: Meredith Castles (@meredithcastles) & Olly Dove (@littl...

In this episode we interview Phoebe Nash a chemical engineer who works in the water and wastewater engineering field.  With Phoebe we explore how water is treated before it reaches our taps, what happens when water enters the sewers and measures towards increasing sustainability in the industry. Phoebe Nash received the 2019 Engineers Australia Tasmania Young Professional Engineer of the Year Awar...

Niamh interviews Associate Professor Seana Gall about her $5 million grant to prevent stroke and save lives. Seana is using a collaborative approach working with researchers and healthcare workers across Australia and New Zealand to address the causes of stroke and improve surveillance.  Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) Production: Meredith Castles (@meredithcast...

Olly talks with expert guest Claire Butler on what transitioning from research to working in the marine industry is like, as part of a collaboration between That’s What I Call Science! and The Royal Society of Tasmania for National Science Week 2020.  This series was produced for National Science Week with thanks to the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia program.  Show theme music: Kevin...

Today, Olly talks with marine ecologist Associate Professor Mary-Anne Lea about her incredible career in marine science. Mary-Anne talks us through life out on remote islands with seals and seabirds, as well as how a support network can make all the difference in the sciences. This series was produced for National Science Week with thanks to the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia program....

Kate interviews Megan Hartog, Marine scientist working at the CSIRO Marine National Facility as a Voyage Operations Manager. Megan tells us what it’s like organising different voyages and arranging research out at sea.   This series was produced for National Science Week with thanks to the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia program.  Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Kate Johnson (@K...

Hannah talks with Mibu Fischer, Quandamooka woman and CSIRO scientist. Mibu’s specific interests are around utilising Traditional Knowledges and management practices are considered within modern day fisheries, coastal and conservation management. Her goal is to bridge a gap that draws attention to the indigenous communities facing the frontline of impacts and changes to coastlines, ecosystems and...

Is social media deceiving you and spreading fake news? With much of the world in lockdown we are using social media and devices more and more to stay connected. While these devices are useful, there are some technologies that help provide a gateway for damaging misinformation to reach the masses. In this episode Meredith and Niamh chat with social media Psychology academics to find out how we can...

Is fake news a deadly threat during the pandemic? For many people the pandemic has been their first experience of witnessing the scientific method first hand. As the scientific community has rapidly investigated the novel coronavirus, government policy and recommendations have changed in response to emerging evidence. This week the show is taken over by Elizabeth College students Harrison, Sarah a...

What is misinformation and why do people believe it? Niamh and Kate chat about misinformation in the digital age with UTAS Philosopher and senior lecturer, Dr David Coady. We ask David about the debate around climate change and he gives us insights into conspiracy theories (and if we should really call them that), rumours and information spread. This is part of a 3-part series for National Science...

Many airports are equipped with a device that can detect traces of explosive substances. Now the creators of this device are using the technology to detect the presence of viruses faster and more accurately than ever before. Professor Michael Breadmore and Mostafa Adel talk us through their ingenious invention. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Allanna Russe...

In this episode we explore the world of biomedical engineering, starting with discussing what a biomedical engineer does and some interesting projects occurring in this space in Tasmania. Work completed by local Tasmanian engineers in the development of “OxyGenie” technology which is used in neonatal ventilators is a key component of this episode. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapm...

One in four respondents to The Tasmania Key findings Project’s Food Survey reported running out of food because they could not afford to buy more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Katherine Kent tells us about the Tasmania Project’s findings, and what the pandemic has meant for the food insecurity of Tasmanian households. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Kel...

In this week’s episode Hannah and Niamh are joined by Deadly Science founder, NSW Young Australian of the Year, and all-round legend Corey Tutt. Corey is a Kamilaroi man, who is passionate about increasing opportunities for education in STEMM for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, particularly those in rural areas.  That’s What I Call Science acknowledges the postponement of NAI...

Health and social inequities are huge issues in Australia, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The public is often shown the ‘what’ of the issue, in the form of statistics and facts, but very rarely the ‘why’, and the root of the issue. We join Professor Maggie Walter to discuss this, as well as exploring her own personal journey as an Aboriginal woman studying higher education in A...

These doctors diagnose 100% of cancers and inform 70% of all medical decisions, so why don’t we know who they are? This episode we chat to two expert pathologists, Dr Dan Owens and Dr Eileen Long, to find out how medical tests are analysed behind the scenes. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Allanna Russell (@AllannaRussell) Production: Meredith Castles (@me...

In this episode, Niamh and Meredith talk to UTAS technologist and lecturer Dr Lindsay Wells who specialises in mobile application development. They discuss the way the world is increasingly going mobile, and the benefits and risks that move opens up for us all. They delve into the recent controversy surrounding the Government’s COVID app and the distrust of data handling that sparked it, and the w...

Cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke kills more people worldwide and in Australia than any other disease. Blood pressure is the single most important risk factor yet measuring it can be extremely difficult.  Niamh interviews Prof. James Sharman and Dr. Dean Picone about their work that showed there are nearly 1,000 different blood pressure devices available to Australians but o...

Our Founding Director Niamh Chapman recently submitted her PhD thesis, she’s officially on the home stretch! Tune in to hear Niamh and her supervisor Professor James Sharman reflect on her PhD. The show is sure to provide some helpful hints on how to overcome common PhD challenges and also how to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.  Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh C...

What does beer, bread and sauerkraut have in common? Fermentation! Microbiologist Dipon Sarkar (@DiponSarkar10) explains the good and the bad bacteria in our food, how they affect the flavours and chemistry of the food and explains the craze about sourdough bread. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS) & Kelsey Picard (@KelseyOnScience) Production: Meredith Castles...

Niamh and Kate talk to clinical psychologist Dr Kimberley Norris about how people cope in extreme and unusual environments like isolation. Kim’s research looked at Antarctic scientists and NASA astronauts, but her findings are relevant for all of us to maintain good mental health while social distancing. This week we are launching a new feature and bringing you a how-to guide for coping with relax...

The family lives of lizards are more complex than it seems. In this episode Niamh, Kelsey, and Olly talk to ecologist Tom Botterill-James, about his work studying lizards in east Tasmania, researching how social dynamics are affected by environmental changes and how these social traits have evolved in animals. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod To listen on demand or to access all previous episodes v...

May 12th is an important opportunity to celebrate women in mathematics with the goal of inspiring women’s achievements in mathematics and to encourage an inclusive mathematics community. That’s what I call Science interviewed local early-career researcher Dr Venta Terauds to find out more about her work as a biological mathematician. Venta is using mathematics to understand changes in the genes of...