UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies

This term STS is launching a brand new series of podcasts where STS'ers talk with scientists about their current research. The first two podcasts are now live on the STS Website. The aim of the early episodes will be to discuss recent discoveries and research in science and the philosophical implications of these. Dr Emma Tobin (STS, UCL) will interview leading scientists in a number of fields, including astrobiology, particle physics, evolutionary biochemistry, structural biology, psychology and many others.

Episodes 1 and 2 feature interviews with 2 Astrobiologists Prof Ian Crawford (Birkbeck) and Dr Lewis Dartnell (UCL) are  now live on the STS website!

Visit: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/engage_academics/thinkingaboutscience

Episode 1: Life in the Universe

Prof Ian Crawford (Birkbeck/UCL): 

Ian Crawford introduces the emerging field of Astrobiology to Emma Tobin.  Aliens, Extremophiles, The Fermi Paradox, The Rare Earth Hypothesis, Space Travel and much much more! And Ian's thought's on how ethicists might help inform future space exploration.

Interviewed by Dr Emma Tobin, UCL STS
Recorded at Science and Technology Studies, UCL by Jo Pearson
Interview Date: 5th September 2012
Music: Andantino in A flat by JN Hummel, recorded  by Jo Pearson

Download Podcast (50mb)

Episode 2: Is Mars Twin Earth? 

Dr Lewis Dartnell (UCL):

In this interview, Dr Dartnell discusses the recent Mars probe landing. Is it possible that microbial life could survive on Mars? If so, Is Mars, Twin Earth? Why is water and in particular liquid water so important? What counts as evidence and how will scientists assess the data once it comes in? Does Astrobiology suffer from Data Deluge? And if you've never heard of Conan the Bacterium, here's your chance!
Coming up in October we will have i interviews with Prof. Jonathan Butterworth on the discovery of the Higg's Boson and Dr. Nick Lane on the evolution of Biological Complexity. 

Download Podcast

Interviewed by Dr Emma Tobin, UCL STS
Recorded at Science and Technology Studies, UCL by Jo Pearson
Interview Date: 17th September 2012
Music: Andantino in A flat by JN Hummel, recorded  by Jo Pearson

Coming up in October!

Interviews with Prof Jonathan Butterworth on the discovery of the Higg's Boson and Dr Nick Lane in the evolution of Biological Complexity.