Podcast · 60 episodes
Discovery, page 2
by BBC World Service · English
Explorations in the world of science.
All episodes, page 2
The Life Scientific: Pierre FriedlingsteinClimate science and Pierre Friedlingstein’s work on Earth system models, the global carbon cycle, and the remaining “carbon budget” for limiting warming (1.5°C vs 2°C), including how warming weakens…2 Mar 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
The Life Scientific: Julia SimnerNeuropsychologist Julia Simner discusses synesthesia and other sensory traits, how they’re diagnosed, their prevalence, links to autism, and her lab’s broader “sensory diversity” mapping.23 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 16 chapters
The Life Scientific: Caroline SmithLife Scientific profile of Caroline Smith, Head of Collections and Principal Curator of Meteorites at the Natural History Museum, linking meteorite science to Mars sample return and space curation.16 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 17 chapters
The Life Scientific: AP De SilvaAP De Silva’s career in photochemistry and molecular computing, focused on how fluorescent “photo-induced electron transfer” (PET) sensors enable rapid, point-of-care blood testing (e.g., sodium,…9 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The Life Scientific: Eleanor SchofieldThe Life Scientific special episode at the Mary Rose Museum about conserving the Tudor warship Mary Rose and the materials science behind it, plus Eleanor Schofield’s career path and personal life.2 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The Life Scientific: Peter KnightSir Peter Knight, emeritus professor at Imperial College London, discusses quantum science’s impact, the UN International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (2025), and how quantum optics and…26 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 18 chapters
Frontiers of Earth ScienceThe episode “Frontiers of Earth Science” (BBC Discovery, from the 2025 AGU meeting in New Orleans) covers three frontiers: what Katrina taught about hurricane risk and preparedness; how to study…19 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 8 chapters
Frontiers of Space ScienceA big-picture look at Earth’s place in space via planetary defense, solar-terrestrial “space weather,” and lunar seismology.12 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 16 chapters
What is Quantum?A BBC science documentary exploring “What is quantum?” using a single-question format while traveling to Helgoland, Germany, the birthplace of quantum theory (Heisenberg, 1925).5 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
The Life Scientific: George ChurchGeorge Church discusses “seemingly impossible” genetics—de-extinction (woolly mammoth), virus-resistant organisms, and pig organs engineered to be safer for human transplant recipients—plus…29 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 14 chapters
The Life Scientific: Gareth CollettDr. Gareth Collett, a retired British Army bomb-disposal brigadier, discusses his career in IED countermeasures (Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland), the science and risks of disarming explosives,…22 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The Life Scientific: Sonia GandhiParkinson’s disease—what happens in the brain, early “prodrome” symptoms, why it’s increasing, current treatments, and Sonia Gandhi’s research aimed at stopping or slowing it.15 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 16 chapters
The Life Scientific: Mark O'SheaProfessor Mark O’Shea’s career in herpetology, snakebite research, and public education, anchored by multiple near-miss venomous encounters and his work on taxonomy and antivenom.8 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 14 chapters
Waking up with a different voiceForeign Accent Syndrome (FAS)—waking up with a changed accent/voice after brain injury or psychological triggers—and how it affects identity, belonging, and daily life.1 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 11 chapters
The animal employment agencyHow animals are used as “employment” in roles engineering, medical detection, assistance, and humanitarian demining—jobs robots/AI can’t yet replicate.24 Nov 2025 · 26 min · 13 chapters
BodiesBody donation for surgical training at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, focusing on how donated bodies are prepared (fresh-frozen), handled by staff, and used in high-stakes trauma courses.17 Nov 2025 · 26 min · 13 chapters
The Life Scientific: Kevin FongKevin Fong’s career spanning astrophysics, trauma/intensive care, NASA space medicine, emergency helicopter work, and science communication; plus his views on surviving space, surge capacity in…10 Nov 2025 · 27 min · 16 chapters
The Life Scientific: Dame Pratibha GaiDame Pratibha Gai (York University) explains how atomic-scale, real-time electron microscopy can reveal what chemical reactions do—especially catalyst defects—so reactions can be made more efficient…3 Nov 2025 · 26 min · 13 chapters
The Life Scientific: Catherine HeymansProfessor Catherine Heymans, BBC “The Life Scientific,” discusses her life and career as an astrophysicist studying dark matter and dark energy, plus her science outreach and comedy.27 Oct 2025 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The Life Scientific: Tim CoulsonTim Coulson, Oxford zoology professor, explains how predators and climate shape ecosystems and drive rapid evolution, using mathematical models and field data.20 Oct 2025 · 26 min · 17 chapters
The Life Scientific: Brian SchmidtBrian Schmidt discusses the late-1990s discovery that the universe’s expansion is accelerating, explaining how Type 1a supernova observations showed gravity’s effect on cosmic expansion appears to…13 Oct 2025 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The Life Scientific: Jane GoodallA BBC World Service “Discovery” episode revisiting Jane Goodall’s life and work after her death, focusing on her decades of chimpanzee research in Gombe, what it revealed about human-like emotions…6 Oct 2025 · 26 min · 13 chapters
The Life Scientific: Jacqueline McKinleyOsteoarchaeology and cremation/burial science—what burnt bone fragments can reveal about individuals, dates, mortuary rites, and even forensic investigations; includes how cremated remains are…29 Sep 2025 · 26 min · 12 chapters
The Life Scientific: Jonathan ShepherdProfessor Jonathan Shepard, emeritus oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Cardiff University, explains the Cardiff Model for Violence Prevention—using A&E injury data plus police/local government/health…22 Sep 2025 · 26 min · 18 chapters