That's What I Call Science!

Join TWICS’s three co-managers on a bus-turned-restaurant in a Hobart pub on a sunny day.  With relaxing ambient pub sounds, Anna Abela and Dr Olly Dove chat with Dr Kate Johnson about her experience doing postdoctoral research in Switzerland and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship in Barcelona, Spain. Hear the challenges and highlights of Kate’s experience so far plus advice...

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is the biggest climate conference in the world, bringing together Government officials, scientists, industry groups and civil society to solve the climate crisis. So how did a PhD student find herself travelling to Azerbaijan to fight for climate justice at COP29?  In this episode, Olly sits down with Tegan Clark to discuss her journey to COP29. She tak...

Imagine having a little version of the cosmos living on your computer. In this week’s Ep we’re chatting about Active Galactic Nuclei (or AGN) with theoretical astrophysics PhD candidate, Georgia Stewart. Active Galactic Nuclei are some of the most powerful phenomena in the Universe but they also take millions of years to evolve 🐢. Running powerful computer simulations 💻is one way scientists can...

After years of working in the media industry and navigating the highs and lows of journalism, Tia Ewen navigated her way to science communication. In this episode, Dr Olly Dove and Georgia Stewart sit down with Tia as she takes us behind the scenes in the newsroom, navigating her way through the media industry, her love and passion for science and how she eventually ended up in the classroom.  Sho...

Sustainability, scicomm, and soccer: just three of the many hats of Dr Emily Flies!  With an interdisciplinary career traversing a myriad of -ologies, Emily now works in exploring how connecting with nature can be a leverage point for healthy and sustainable communities. She’s also an award-winning science communicator and the founder of Tasmania’s Inspiring Women in STEMM Fellowship Program, so m...

Join us as we explore climate action, coastal resilience, and… eels! This week, Dr. Malcolm Johnson shares his passion for climate adaptation, coastal resource management, and unique research on the fascinating freshwater eels of Tasmania. From working in the Huon Valley to community projects in the Philippines and CNMI, Malcolm’s journey highlights the power of local action in tackling global iss...

Don’t you just hate it when you’re out for a lovely swim in the ocean when all of a sudden your stomach starts rumbling? Well, thanks to one researcher at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, we might be closer to understanding what snacks are out there in the waters of lutruwita/Tasmania! Micah Landon-Lane joins Olly for today’s episode, in which he tells her all about sea grapes: seaw...

Join hosts Olly Dove and Emma Hamasaki as they flutter through the 2024 Australian Entomological Society Conference! In this special season finale, we're buzzing with excitement as we explore the latest discoveries in insect science through fascinating conversations with poster presenters. Broadcasting from lutruwita/Tasmania on Edge Radio, this episode showcases cutting-edge research that&ap...

Join us for this week’s episode, in which Olly and Georgia make their way through the poster session at the Australasian Cytometry Society’s annual 2024 conference!  Cytometry may not be a word you’ve heard before, but is all about cells. And, by studying the cells in our bodies, the researchers in today’s episode have been making leaps and bounds in medical research in order to help the patients...

Come and chat with two Australians (Dr Kate Johnson and Dr Ella Plumanns Pouton) on a bench in Catalunya, that may or may not be covered in ants! Ella talks about fire and seed banks, shifts in research, moving countries and writing science for the public. After an arts degree, Ella was driven to science through a desire to enact positive change for the natural world, particularly in a changing cl...

Take a journey to the ‘liminal space between water and sky’ with Melissa Mai. From the pathways of water and sugar along a pine needle to the magical land of bogs and why they matter. This episode will transport you from a molecule in a leaf to peaty landscapes of Scotland and the USA. Learn about Melissa, her pathway to academia and future aspirations to influence policy or curate museum collecti...

This week, Anna and Ella are joined by Monique Mitchelson, a autistic/ADHD clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, with a deep passion for supporting neurodivergent women and girls. Monique discusses her own podcast, The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast with Clinical Neuropsychologist Michelle Livock , a hit show with over a million downloads, as well as her consulting on the National Autism S...

In this episode, Anna and Ella chat to Heidi La Paglia Reid, a proud Autistic, queer and disabled consultant and advocate living Tasmania. With over a decade of experience in the disability and women’s rights sectors, Heidi brings a wealth of knowledge both from her professional roles and her personal journey navigating chronic health conditions and neurodiversity. This episode will dive into her...

In September 2024, the Australian Marine Sciences Association and the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society teamed up to deliver their annual conference, with 900 marine scientists, professionals, and students gathering in Hobart to celebrate all things oceanic. Across the two poster sessions at the conference, Olly met 24 attendees presenting their incredible science. The content was just too good...

In September 2024, the Australian Marine Sciences Association and the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society teamed up to deliver their annual conference, with 900 marine scientists, professionals, and students gathering in Hobart to celebrate all things oceanic. Across the two poster sessions at the conference, Olly met 24 attendees presenting their incredible science. The content was just too good...

Out on Bruny Island one rainy and windy night, Edith Shum rested in a cosy cabin after a busy day out in the field. Joined by Olly on her adventure, the two took up the chance while warming themselves by the fire to talk about Edith’s past adventures.  Having worked in Queensland with sea turtles, Edith now works in Tasmania on exploring how species shape our connection to places in the context of...

We love a good science and sport cross-over. In this episode, Olly and Georgia chat to forensic scientist, Craig Gardner about his dual passion for science and rugby union refereeing. What does it take to solve a crime with science? How do you analyse the evidence and importantly, how do you know you’re right? Craig has all the answers for us. Plus, we talk about Craig’s other passion; rugby union...

Space is full of amazing stuff we can’t see with the naked eye! Join Olly and Georgia in this episode as they embark on a journey to the distant reaches of the universe with Sophie Young, a first-year PhD student in astrophysics. Sophie shares insights into her award-winning research on Active Galactic Nuclei—the powerful galaxy centres known for emitting massive jets of superheated plasma that ca...

In August each year, a horde of science communicators arrive in lutruwita/Tasmania, ready to share their work with the public at the Beaker Street Festival. One of the many special events across the festival is the Roving Scientist Bar.  With a table per scientist and the public free to move between them, the room quickly fills with the sounds of STEMM-tastic stories being shared. Join Olly and Si...

In August each year, a horde of science communicators arrive in lutruwita/Tasmania, ready to share their work with the public at the Beaker Street Festival. One of the many special events across the festival is the Roving Scientist Bar.  With a table per scientist and the public free to move between them, the room quickly fills with the sounds of STEMM-tastic stories being shared. Join Olly and Ge...

Unsurprisingly, we love science communication here at That’s What I Call Science, as do the hosts of the Let’s Talk SciComm podcast at The University of Melbourne. Naturally, we thought this made for a perfect chance to have a crossover episode! Join Olly as Let’s Talk SciComm co-hosts and science communicator extraordinaires Jen Martin and Michael Wheeler tell her all about their exciting show as...

In this episode, we catch up with Anna, a co-manager and founding member of TWICS. After switching gears from tech to communications, Anna opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis and what it means to live and work with neurodiversity. And we get a peek into what’s been happening behind the scene at TWICS!  Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod   Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove) Production: Ryan Smith Media &...

Urban tree ecophysiologist Dr Christoph Bachofen tells us how plants, chemistry, physics and art are intertwined through the lens of city trees. Join Christoph and Dr Kate Johnson to learn how trees and humans experience the urban environment and find out answers to questions such as; why would a student walk around Geneva with a high-tech backpack? How do trees alter the environment in cities? Do...

Have you ever used a FitBit? Quit an addiction using an app? Did you wonder why they are so successful at helping people change their behaviours? These technologies are called ‘Persuasive Technologies’, applications specifically designed using behavioural psychology to help people alter the things they do. Our guest this week is researching how to make sure technology designers make more effective...

Ever been faced with technology problems you have no idea how to fix? Error messages popping up, got another call to fix your nan’s remote control, your new smart tv making you feel…not so smart? Our guest this week is researching how you approach these different tech problems and model a way to make future tech problems easier to solve. Join us to find out how this is being done. Show theme music...