In this episode we chat to Kat Arney author of Rebel Cell: Cancer, Evolution and the Science of Life. *episode starts around the 12 minute mark.  Rebel Cell Kat's Twitter  Gemma's Moonshot article 

In this episode we chat to Kat Arney author of Rebel Cell: Cancer, Evolution and the Science of Life. *episode starts around the 12 minute mark. <ul> <li><a href="https://www.rebelcellbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rebel Cell</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Arney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kat's Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/15/moonshot-no-10-tech-hyperbole" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Gemma's Moonshot article</a></li> </ul>

Rebel Cell with Kat Arney

In this episode we chat to Stuart Ritchie author of Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in Science! We return to the roots of our podcast and explore the flaws in science and what actions can be taken to make it better. Stuart is a lecturer at King's College London within the Social, Genetic &amp; Developmental Psychiatry Centre with interests in meta-science.  The interview starts around the 11 minute mark.   @StuartRitchie  Science Fictions Book 

In this episode we chat to Stuart Ritchie author of Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in Science! We return to the roots of our podcast and explore the flaws in science and what actions can be taken to make it better. Stuart is a lecturer at King's College London within the Social, Genetic &amp; Developmental Psychiatry Centre with interests in meta-science.  The interview starts around the 11 minute mark.  <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/StuartJRitchie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@StuartRitchie</a></li> <li><a href="https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Science-Fictions-by-Stuart-Ritchie-author/9781847925657" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Science Fictions Book</a></li> </ul>

Science Fictions with Stuart Ritchie

Akshat Rathi

In this episode we chat to Akshat Rathi an energy and climate reporter at Bloomberg. He is also the editor of United we are Unstoppable, the topic of this episode, a collection of 60 inspiring stories from young climate activists across the globe.  Twitter  United we are Unstoppable Akshat's Bloomberg writing 

In this episode we chat to Akshat Rathi an energy and climate reporter at Bloomberg. He is also the editor of United we are Unstoppable, the topic of this episode, a collection of 60 inspiring stories from young climate activists across the globe. <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/AkshatRathi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk/titles/various-19/united-we-are-unstoppable/9781529335941/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> United we are Unstoppable</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AUdOobfNzkQ/akshat-rathi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Akshat's Bloomberg writing</a></li> </ul>

United we are Unstoppable with Akshat Rathi

Rob Larson

In this episode we talk to economist Rob Larson about the immense power of the big 5 tech companies (even if in the intro I say big 4...sorry Microsoft), the economics of how they got to be so big, the tyrannical rulers at the helm, and the perverse business practices that insure them against competition. Rob is a Professor of Economics at Tacoma Community College and author of Capitalism vs. Freedom (2018), and Bit Tyrants (2020). He also writes for venues such as Jacobin and Current Affairs.  Twitter Bit Tyrants Rob's Jacobin / Current Affairs Writing Left Book Club 

In this episode we talk to economist Rob Larson about the immense power of the big 5 tech companies (even if in the intro I say big 4...sorry Microsoft), the economics of how they got to be so big, the tyrannical rulers at the helm, and the perverse business practices that insure them against competition. Rob is a Professor of Economics at Tacoma Community College and author of Capitalism vs. Freedom (2018), and Bit Tyrants (2020). He also writes for venues such as Jacobin and Current Affairs. <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/IronicProfessor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1381-bit-tyrants" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bit Tyrants</a></li> <li>Rob's <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/author/rob-larson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jacobin</a> / <a href="https://www.currentaffairs.org/author/rob-larson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Current Affairs</a> Writing</li> <li><a href="https://www.leftbookclub.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Left Book Club</a></li> </ul>

Bit Tyrants with Rob Larson

Tim Maughan

In this episode Gemma chats to journalist and author Tim Maughan. Tim’s first novel Infinite Detail (2019) which tells a dystopic time-shifting tale of the pre and post-apocalypse following the global technological shutdown was selected by The Guardian as their Science Fiction and Fantasy book of the year. (The episode starts at 13.45)  Infinite Detail Tim's writing / projects. Twitter  Guardian Best Fantasy / Sci Fi books 2019.  Could we blow up the Internet? (Motherboard) 

In this episode Gemma chats to journalist and author Tim Maughan. Tim’s first novel Infinite Detail (2019) which tells a dystopic time-shifting tale of the pre and post-apocalypse following the global technological shutdown was selected by The Guardian as their Science Fiction and Fantasy book of the year. (The episode starts at 13.45) <ul> <li><a href="http://timmaughanbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Infinite Detail</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.clippings.me/users/timmaughan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tim's writing / projects</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/timmaughan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/30/best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-of-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Guardian Best Fantasy / Sci Fi books 2019.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vbw9db/could-we-blow-up-the-internet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Could we blow up the Internet? (Motherboard)</a></li> </ul>

Infinite Detail with Tim Maughan

Adam Hart

We chat to Adam Hart Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and author of Unfit For Purpose: When Human Evolution Collides with the Modern World.

We chat to Adam Hart Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and author of Unfit For Purpose: When Human Evolution Collides with the Modern World.

Unfit for Purpose with Adam Hart

Ainissa Ramirez

We spoke to materials scientist and author Ainissa Ramirez about her brilliant new book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another, all about the 8 inventions that shaped our society and the materials behind them. Relevant links:  The Alchemy of Us @ainissaramirez 

We spoke to materials scientist and author Ainissa Ramirez about her brilliant new book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another, all about the 8 inventions that shaped our society and the materials behind them. Relevant links: <ul> <li><a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/alchemy-us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Alchemy of Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/ainissaramirez" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ainissaramirez</a></li> </ul>

The Alchemy of Us with Ainissa Ramirez

Rutger Bregman

In this episode we chat to historian Rutger Bregman author of Humankind: A Hopeful History (2020) and the bestseller Utopia For Realists (2014). We talk about the shaky social studies and historical perspectives that have driven a wedge between communities, kindness as a fundamental trait of humanity, and the people who are baking cooperation and decency into their institutional structures. Relevant Links  Humankind: A Hopeful History Utopia for Realists Rutger's Twitter 

In this episode we chat to historian Rutger Bregman author of Humankind: A Hopeful History (2020) and the bestseller Utopia For Realists (2014). We talk about the shaky social studies and historical perspectives that have driven a wedge between communities, kindness as a fundamental trait of humanity, and the people who are baking cooperation and decency into their institutional structures. Relevant Links <ol> <li><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/humankind-9781408898932/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Humankind: A Hopeful History</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/utopia-for-realists-9781408890264/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Utopia for Realists</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/rcbregman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rutger's Twitter</a></li> </ol>

Kindness as the Key to Our Future with Rutger Bregman

Mark O'Connell

We chat to Mark O'Connell author of To Be A Machine (2017) and Notes From An Apocalypse (2020). We talk about finding lessons about humanity in the strangest of places, being an awarded science writer while not considering himself a science writer, and privilege, decency and purpose. Relevant Links  Notes From An Apocalypse (2020) To Be a Machine (2017) Mark’s Twitter 

We chat to Mark O'Connell author of To Be A Machine (2017) and Notes From An Apocalypse (2020). We talk about finding lessons about humanity in the strangest of places, being an awarded science writer while not considering himself a science writer, and privilege, decency and purpose. Relevant Links <ol> <li><a href="https://granta.com/products/notes-from-an-apocalypse/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notes From An Apocalypse (2020)</a></li> <li><a href="https://granta.com/products/to-be-a-machine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">To Be a Machine (2017)</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/mrkocnnll" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark’s Twitter</a></li> </ol>

Finding Humanity in the Apocalypse with Mark O'Connell

Sabine Hossenfelder

In this episode we chat to Sabine Hossenfelder, a physicist and author of  Lost in Math. In the book Sabine makes the case that physicists have committed themselves to ideas of beauty rooted in maths that are unsupported by the data. She calls for a radical re-evaluation of how physics is done.  Relevant Links   Lost in Math (2018) Sabine's Twitter 

In this episode we chat to <a href="twitter.com/skdh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sabine Hossenfelder</a>, a physicist and author of <a href="https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/sabine-hossenfelder/lost-in-math/9780465094264/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Lost in Math</a>. In the book Sabine makes the case that physicists have committed themselves to ideas of beauty rooted in maths that are unsupported by the data. She calls for a radical re-evaluation of how physics is done. Relevant Links <ol> <li><a href="https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/sabine-hossenfelder/lost-in-math/9780465094264/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Lost in Math (2018)</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/skdh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sabine's Twitter</a></li> </ol>

Getting Lost in Math with Sabine Hossenfelder

The science podcast that’s not about the science.

Radical Science

We spoke to Hemai Parthasarathy, the Scientific Director of Breakout Labs, a fund for early stage deep tech startups to get their research out of the lab. Hemai started out as a neuroscientist at MIT, and moved from academia to the field of publishing as the North American Editor of Nature and went on to be one of the founding editors of PLOS, building PLOS Biology and PLOS One. So as you can imagine we were keen to get Hemai's perspective on a whole host of subjects straddling academia and industry. Hemai broke down what Breakout Labs looks for in their startups and founders, and the diverse group of startups that they have invested in so far. These include companies working in stem cell derived bone replacement, gecko inspired adhesive materials, and even renewable energy startups harnessing the power of the ocean. 

We spoke to Hemai Parthasarathy, the Scientific Director of <a href="https://www.breakoutlabs.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breakout Labs</a>, a fund for early stage deep tech startups to get their research out of the lab. Hemai started out as a neuroscientist at MIT, and moved from academia to the field of publishing as the North American Editor of Nature and went on to be one of the founding editors of PLOS, building PLOS Biology and PLOS One. So as you can imagine we were keen to get Hemai's perspective on a whole host of subjects straddling academia and industry. Hemai broke down what Breakout Labs looks for in their startups and founders, and the diverse group of startups that they have invested in so far. These include companies working in stem cell derived bone replacement, gecko inspired adhesive materials, and even renewable energy startups harnessing the power of the ocean.

Breaking Research out the Lab with Hemai Parthasarathy

Erin Kim

This episode we chatted to Erin Kim the Communications Director at New Harvest, a non-profit research institute focussed on making cellular agriculture a reality. We talk about the the current state of lab grown meat, the importance of effective science communication in a field prone to hype or hysteria, and the community New Harvest are building through their events.

This episode we chatted to Erin Kim the Communications Director at <a href="http://www.new-harvest.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Harvest</a>, a non-profit research institute focussed on making cellular agriculture a reality. We talk about the the current state of lab grown meat, the importance of effective science communication in a field prone to hype or hysteria, and the community New Harvest are building through their events.

Food from the Lab with Erin Kim

In this episode we chat to science writer, podcaster, speaker, author, and now communications consultant Dr Kat Arney on all things science communication! We dive into the current state of the science communication industry, from the tools of the trade, things that 'scicommers' can improve, and the work Kat does training researchers in the art of storytelling. Relevant links:  Kat's Twitter Kat's podcast Genetics Unzipped Kat's book -  Herding Hemingway's Cats Gemma's Article on 'Why Science Needs Advertising' 

In this episode we chat to science writer, podcaster, speaker, author, and now communications consultant Dr Kat Arney on all things science communication! We dive into the current state of the science communication industry, from the tools of the trade, things that 'scicommers' can improve, and the work Kat does training researchers in the art of storytelling. Relevant links: <ul> <li>Kat's <a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Arney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://geneticsunzipped.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kat's podcast Genetics Unzipped</a></li> <li>Kat's book - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Herding-Hemingways-Cats-Understanding-Bloomsbury/dp/1472910044" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Herding Hemingway's Cats</a></li> <li>Gemma's Article on '<a href="https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2015/05/08/tech-may-be-sexy-what-science-really-needs-advertising" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Science Needs Advertising</a>'</li> </ul>

The Science of Storytelling with Kat Arney

Julian Huppert

This episode features Julian Huppert, former Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge, and now Director of the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College Cambridge. We chat about Julian's journey from academia to the House of Commons where he was recognised as the only scientist, a moniker that Julian was keen to not let define and confine his policy goals. We wanted to get his insight into the general state of scientific understanding in parliament, and how scientists can better engage politicians with topics that matter to them. It's an unfortunate stereotype that scientists often hold politics at arm's length, there may not be a need for all scientists to be politically activated but involvement in the political process can as Julian notes be pretty easy behaviours to foster. We were also eager to dive into his new(ish) role as Director of the Intellectual Forum, an organisation that has critical thinking and open discussion at its core, covering an impressive breadth of topics which can essentially be boiled down to anything 'interesting and worthwhile'.

This episode features <a href="https://twitter.com/julianhuppert" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julian Huppert</a>, former Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge, and now Director of the <a href="https://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/research/intellectual-forum/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Intellectual Forum</a> at Jesus College Cambridge. We chat about Julian's journey from academia to the House of Commons where he was recognised as the only scientist, a moniker that Julian was keen to not let define and confine his policy goals. We wanted to get his insight into the general state of scientific understanding in parliament, and how scientists can better engage politicians with topics that matter to them. It's an unfortunate stereotype that scientists often hold politics at arm's length, there may not be a need for all scientists to be politically activated but involvement in the political process can as Julian notes be pretty easy behaviours to foster. We were also eager to dive into his new(ish) role as Director of the Intellectual Forum, an organisation that has critical thinking and open discussion at its core, covering an impressive breadth of topics which can essentially be boiled down to anything 'interesting and worthwhile'.

From Cambridge to the Commons with Julian Huppert

In this episode we spoke to Dr Jenny Molloy, a Cambridge Synthetic Biologist who, among many things, is the Director of the Cambridge Biomakespace, and is on the organising committee for the Gathering for Open Science Hardware.  We spoke about her work in developing the GOSH manifesto, and the recently released  Open Science Hardware Roadmap which advocates for open science hardware as a ubiquitous component of everyday lab life. We also dove into the space that hardware fits into, in the ever active Open Science community. How do the open hardware advocates differ from those keen to shake up academic publishing. We were also keen to find out more on how open science hardware projects are disseminated, not just to the fellow academics but to the wider public at large. And how this area of 'science disruption' could have a massive impact on the reproducibility of research.

In this episode we spoke to Dr Jenny Molloy, a Cambridge Synthetic Biologist who, among many things, is the Director of the Cambridge <a href="https://biomake.space/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Biomakespace</a>, and is on the organising committee for the <a href="http://openhardware.science/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gathering for Open Science Hardware</a>.  We spoke about her work in developing the GOSH manifesto, and the recently released <a href="http://openhardware.science/global-open-science-hardware-roadmap/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Open Science Hardware Roadmap</a> which advocates for open science hardware as a ubiquitous component of everyday lab life. We also dove into the space that hardware fits into, in the ever active Open Science community. How do the open hardware advocates differ from those keen to shake up academic publishing. We were also keen to find out more on how open science hardware projects are disseminated, not just to the fellow academics but to the wider public at large. And how this area of 'science disruption' could have a massive impact on the reproducibility of research.

The Road to Open Science Hardware

Today's guest is Antipem Ofori Charles, a Ghanaian inventor and entrepreneur who is intent on transforming science education within Ghana and beyond. Antipem is the founder of the DEXT Technology, an accessible science set designed to engage students in underserved communities with the wonder of science.  One of Antipem's inspirations for developing DEXT was through his own pathway into science. His father, a local high school teacher, framed what it meant to be a scientist for him by designing rain collection experiments with the simplest of equipment...a bottle and a funnel. This spirit of democratisation of science through ease of access has been woven into development of the Science Set. Affordable, but with a diverse array of resources, it sets up students with the tools they need to develop their drive to tinker and experiment.  DEXT Technology Twitter BBC article on The Science Set 

Today's guest is Antipem Ofori Charles, a Ghanaian inventor and entrepreneur who is intent on transforming science education within Ghana and beyond. Antipem is the founder of the DEXT Technology, an accessible science set designed to engage students in underserved communities with the wonder of science.  One of Antipem's inspirations for developing DEXT was through his own pathway into science. His father, a local high school teacher, framed what it meant to be a scientist for him by designing rain collection experiments with the simplest of equipment...a bottle and a funnel. This spirit of democratisation of science through ease of access has been woven into development of the Science Set. Affordable, but with a diverse array of resources, it sets up students with the tools they need to develop their drive to tinker and experiment. <ul> <li><a href="http://thescienceset.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DEXT Technology</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/antipem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44846317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBC article on The Science Set</a></li> </ul>

The Science Set - From Ghana and Beyond

Richard Clarke

In today's episode we are joined by Richard Clarke, a PhD researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine! Richard is a member of the the Vaccine Confidence Project, an initiative that monitors public confidence in immunisation for the purpose of detecting public concerns around vaccines. These concerns can have massive implications for the effectiveness of vaccine programmes and as such researchers must address them as early as possible. In this episode we explore what researchers can do to effectively communicate science on-and-off-line (it turns out caps lock, insults, and twitter mobs aren't very convincing...), and the results of his research that suggests that on the whole people are less vulnerable to online pseudoscience than we might think. We also chat about his involvement in the Skeptic community, and the role that public trust in authority plays in vaccine hesitancy. Richard's PhD focusses on the information seeking behaviours of mothers as they make a vaccine decision during pregnancy. In his studies Richard applies research from the psychology of decision making, trust and the field of information science to quantitatively investigate how mothers engage in information gathering to aid decision making with respect to the pertussis vaccine currently offered during pregnancy.   Richard's Twitter The Vaccine Confidence Project The Vaccine Knowledge Project Skeptics in the Pub 

In today's episode we are joined by Richard Clarke, a PhD researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine! Richard is a member of the the Vaccine Confidence Project, an initiative that monitors public confidence in immunisation for the purpose of detecting public concerns around vaccines. These concerns can have massive implications for the effectiveness of vaccine programmes and as such researchers must address them as early as possible. In this episode we explore what researchers can do to effectively communicate science on-and-off-line (it turns out caps lock, insults, and twitter mobs aren't very convincing...), and the results of his research that suggests that on the whole people are less vulnerable to online pseudoscience than we might think. We also chat about his involvement in the Skeptic community, and the role that public trust in authority plays in vaccine hesitancy. Richard's PhD focusses on the information seeking behaviours of mothers as they make a vaccine decision during pregnancy. In his studies Richard applies research from the psychology of decision making, trust and the field of information science to quantitatively investigate how mothers engage in information gathering to aid decision making with respect to the pertussis vaccine currently offered during pregnancy.  <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/richclarkepsy?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Richard's Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vaccineconfidence.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Vaccine Confidence Project</a></li> <li><a href="http://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Vaccine Knowledge Project</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/skeptics-in-the-pub/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skeptics in the Pub</a></li> </ul>

Viral Misinformation with Richard Clarke

This episode we speak to Philip Hemme, the founder and CEO of Labiotech, the leading media organisation covering European biotech. We talk about their rapid growth as a startup, the current state of biotech media, their internationally diverse team, and the benefits of 'open science' to biotech startups.

This episode we speak to Philip Hemme, the founder and CEO of <a href="https://labiotech.eu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Labiotech</a>, the leading media organisation covering European biotech. We talk about their rapid growth as a startup, the current state of biotech media, their internationally diverse team, and the benefits of 'open science' to biotech startups.

Exploring European Biotech with Philip Hemme

In today's episode Gemma speaks to Hila Cohen the International Business Development Lead of the World Food Programme's Innovation Accelerator. We dive into the invaluable work done by the WFP, the benefits of considerate locally focussed innovations in food tech, and whether there should be concerns given the aging farming community. The WFP Innovation Accelerator identifies and nurtures solutions to hunger globally. They also provide financial support to WFP innovators and external start-ups, and access to a network of experts. The WFP believes that the way forward in the fight against hunger is not necessarily in building grand plans, but identifying and testing solutions in an agile way.  Hila's Twitter The WFP Innovation Accelerator Article: "821 million reasons bootcamp teams will disrupt hunger"   If you enjoyed this episode, why not give it a rating or review :) 

In today's episode Gemma speaks to Hila Cohen the International Business Development Lead of the <a href="https://innovation.wfp.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">World Food Programme's Innovation Accelerator</a>. We dive into the invaluable work done by the WFP, the benefits of considerate locally focussed innovations in food tech, and whether there should be concerns given the aging farming community. The WFP Innovation Accelerator identifies and nurtures solutions to hunger globally. They also provide financial support to WFP innovators and external start-ups, and access to a network of experts. The WFP believes that the way forward in the fight against hunger is not necessarily in building grand plans, but identifying and testing solutions in an agile way. <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/_Hilonet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hila's Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://innovation.wfp.org/wfp-innovation-accelerator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The WFP Innovation Accelerator</a></li> <li>Article: "<a href="https://insight.wfp.org/821-million-reasons-bootcamp-teams-will-disrupt-hunger-ec60e7d076db" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">821 million reasons bootcamp teams will disrupt hunger</a>" </li> </ul> If you enjoyed this episode, why not give it a rating or review :)

Feeding the World with Hila Cohen

*Bonus Episode* Gemma moderated a panel at SXSW on building an ecosystem for science startups with Ana Florescu of Science Practice, Harry Destecroix of UnitDx, and Dominic Falcao of Deep Science Ventures. 

*Bonus Episode* Gemma moderated a panel at SXSW on building an ecosystem for science startups with Ana Florescu of <a href="http://www.science-practice.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Science Practice</a>, Harry Destecroix of <a href="https://unitdx.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UnitDx</a>, and Dominic Falcao of <a href="http://deepscienceventures.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deep Science Ventures</a>.

*SXSW Bonus Episode* Building an Ecosystem for Science Startups

This episode we spoke to Elsa Sotiriadis, the Chief Futurist and Program Director of Rebel Bio.  Rebel Bio is the world's first life science accelerator, based initially out of Cork, they have worked with startups tackling synthetic meat, algae derived materials, and drug repurposing using AI. They have recently brought in their first cohort to their 2nd home in London, where they will work out of the new White City Incubator. We were keen to break down the different science startup ecosystems that Cork and London have become, and discuss the amazing things that these companies aim to achieve. We were also intrigued by Elsa's passion for science fiction, specifically the passage of inspiration between science fiction and research and back again.

This episode we spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/thebiofuturist?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elsa Sotiriadis</a>, the Chief Futurist and Program Director of <a href="https://rebelbio.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rebel Bio</a>. Rebel Bio is the world's first life science accelerator, based initially out of Cork, they have worked with startups tackling synthetic meat, algae derived materials, and drug repurposing using AI. They have recently brought in their first cohort to their 2nd home in London, where they will work out of the new White City Incubator. We were keen to break down the different science startup ecosystems that Cork and London have become, and discuss the amazing things that these companies aim to achieve. We were also intrigued by Elsa's passion for science fiction, specifically the passage of inspiration between science fiction and research and back again.

The Biotech Rebels with Elsa Sotiriadis

Mary Ward

In this episode we chat to Mary Ward, the co-founder of Counter Culture Labs, an Oakland based community space that draws a diverse crowd to scientific exploration.

In this episode we chat to Mary Ward, the co-founder of <a href="https://www.counterculturelabs.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Counter Culture Labs</a>, an Oakland based community space that draws a diverse crowd to scientific exploration.

DIY Bio in the Bay with Mary Ward

Brian Keating

In this episode we chat to UC San Diego Physicist Brian Keating on his new book 'Losing the Nobel Prize'. Brian Keating was in the running for a Nobel with the gravitational waves discovery, but his Nobel hopes evaporated when what they had really detected was the cosmologists nemesis ... interstellar dust.  Brian talks us through the history of the Nobel, scientific incentives, and the perception of the Nobel through time. We also delve into some key things that the Nobel should change - such as, nominating organisations or lab groups rather than an arbitrarily selected three, having research categories that reflect science as it is today, and of course address the tremendous gender disparity in the nominations.

In this episode we chat to UC San Diego Physicist <a href="https://BrianKeating.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brian Keating</a> on his new book '<a href="http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA%20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Losing the Nobel Prize</a>'. Brian Keating was in the running for a Nobel with the gravitational waves discovery, but his Nobel hopes evaporated when what they had really detected was the cosmologists nemesis ... interstellar dust.  Brian talks us through the history of the Nobel, scientific incentives, and the perception of the Nobel through time. We also delve into some key things that the Nobel should change - such as, nominating organisations or lab groups rather than an arbitrarily selected three, having research categories that reflect science as it is today, and of course address the tremendous gender disparity in the nominations.

Losing the Nobel Prize with Brian Keating

In this episode we chatted to Kristin Ellis, the Scientific Development Lead at OpenTrons, about all things science. OpenTrons is a company that builds affordable open-source lab robots, that remove the need to perform tedious manual pipetting tasks, to free up valuable time for researchers.  We touched on the importance of good science communication and the unfair stigma that often impacts researchers that are keen to involve and talk to the public, and the true value of encouraging that "...and then it just clicked" moment with people previously disengaged with science.  We also spoke about the innovative ways tinkerers have adapted their open-source robots, the value of putting automation into the hands of the many, and the attitude shift required in science to promote prototyping and hacking. We were keen to see how OpenTrons has been received by academics looking to streamline their research and were fascinated by their passage through Haxclr8tr (a hardware startup accelerator, now called HAX). Their relationship to Shenzhen is also pretty amazing - described as the silicon valley for hardware, the labyrinthine market in Shenzhen allows hardware hackers to rapidly test out ideas, a concept essentially intractable even with the electronic hardware superstores elsewhere.

In this episode we chatted to <a href="https://twitter.com/sexylikemeiosis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kristin Ellis</a>, the Scientific Development Lead at <a href="http://opentrons.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OpenTrons</a>, about all things science. OpenTrons is a company that builds affordable open-source lab robots, that remove the need to perform tedious manual pipetting tasks, to free up valuable time for researchers.  We touched on the importance of good science communication and the unfair stigma that often impacts researchers that are keen to involve and talk to the public, and the true value of encouraging that "...and then it just clicked" moment with people previously disengaged with science.  We also spoke about the innovative ways tinkerers have adapted their open-source robots, the value of putting automation into the hands of the many, and the attitude shift required in science to promote prototyping and hacking. We were keen to see how OpenTrons has been received by academics looking to streamline their research and were fascinated by their passage through Haxclr8tr (a hardware startup accelerator, now called <a href="https://hax.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HAX</a>). Their relationship to Shenzhen is also pretty amazing - described as the silicon valley for hardware, the labyrinthine market in Shenzhen allows hardware hackers to rapidly test out ideas, a concept essentially intractable even with the electronic hardware superstores elsewhere.

Leading the Automation Revolution

In this episode we are joined by our pal, the inimitable Harry Destecroix. Harry is CEO of Unit DX and Carbometrics, and is former CEO of Ziylo. We chat about why (and how) he managed to have such a mental job title, how Bristol is fast becoming a spinout factory, and how entrepreneurship can be fostered in the sciences with just a little bit more education, and a bit more ecosystem support. If you want to find out more about the story of Ziylo and Carbometrics,  Gemma covered the astounding news of their sale to Novo Nordisk in Forbes earlier this year.

In this episode we are joined by our pal, the inimitable Harry Destecroix. Harry is CEO of Unit DX and Carbometrics, and is former CEO of Ziylo. We chat about why (and how) he managed to have such a mental job title, how Bristol is fast becoming a spinout factory, and how entrepreneurship can be fostered in the sciences with just a little bit more education, and a bit more ecosystem support. If you want to find out more about the story of Ziylo and Carbometrics, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gemmamilne/2018/08/17/bristol-diabetes-spin-out-acquired-by-novo-nordisk-for-800m/#3b06d3a7465d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Gemma covered the astounding news of their sale</a> to Novo Nordisk in Forbes earlier this year.

Find a Way Make a Way with Harry Destecroix

Wendy Liu

In this episode we chat to Wendy Liu author of the brilliant book,  Abolish Silicon Valley! We talk about the myth of the meritocracy, reclaiming entrepreneurship, and what innovation looks like beyond capitalism. Relevant Links   Abolish Silicon Valley (2020) Wendy's Twitter  Our quick review From inspiring early experiences in open-source software development, to crushing disappointment in the search for startup funding, Wendy Liu writes a refreshingly candid account of how she fell in, and then out, of love with the tech industry. Liu shows how the inhabitants of Silicon Valley - from the funders, to the founders - have abdicated their responsibility to society; that beneath the veneer of global connectivity and community-building, they have driven immense socio-economic inequality. But all is not lost as Liu argues: inequities borne from tech can be resolved if we're willing to hold up a mirror and address their causes, regardless of how close to home these may be.

In this episode we chat to <a href="https://twitter.com/dellsystem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wendy Liu</a> author of the brilliant book, <a href="https://repeaterbooks.com/product/abolish-silicon-valley-how-to-liberate-technology-from-capitalism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Abolish Silicon Valley</a>! We talk about the myth of the meritocracy, reclaiming entrepreneurship, and what innovation looks like beyond capitalism. Relevant Links <ol> <li><a href="https://repeaterbooks.com/product/abolish-silicon-valley-how-to-liberate-technology-from-capitalism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Abolish Silicon Valley (2020)</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/dellsystem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wendy's Twitter</a></li> </ol> Our quick review From inspiring early experiences in open-source software development, to crushing disappointment in the search for startup funding, Wendy Liu writes a refreshingly candid account of how she fell in, and then out, of love with the tech industry. Liu shows how the inhabitants of Silicon Valley - from the funders, to the founders - have abdicated their responsibility to society; that beneath the veneer of global connectivity and community-building, they have driven immense socio-economic inequality. But all is not lost as Liu argues: inequities borne from tech can be resolved if we're willing to hold up a mirror and address their causes, regardless of how close to home these may be.

Abolishing Silicon Valley With Wendy Liu

Gemma's book Smoke and Mirrors launched last week and we talk about it. You can pick up a copy  here.

Gemma's book Smoke and Mirrors launched last week and we talk about it. You can pick up a copy <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smoke-Mirrors-Hype-Obscures-Future/dp/1472143663" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>.

The Return ft. Gemma's Book

Harriet Brettle

After a long summer we're back, and we're here to talk spaaaace! Specifically the issue of satellite sustainability and the startup leading the charge. In this episode of the Science: Disrupt podcast we chat to Harriet Brettle, Business Analyst at the startup Astroscale and co-founder of the London Space Network.   Astroscale is a space startup that is developing a solution to the environmental concerns over space debris and all of the challenges that that can bring. We also discuss Harriet's path to Astroscale and her drive to establish the London Space Network and the benefits of community organisation.

After a long summer we're back, and we're here to talk spaaaace! Specifically the issue of satellite sustainability and the startup leading the charge. In this episode of the Science: Disrupt podcast we chat to Harriet Brettle, Business Analyst at the startup <a href="https://astroscale.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Astroscale</a> and co-founder of the London Space Network. Astroscale is a space startup that is developing a solution to the environmental concerns over space debris and all of the challenges that that can bring. We also discuss Harriet's path to Astroscale and her drive to establish the London Space Network and the benefits of community organisation.

Solving Space Junk with Harriet Brettle

Anne Charnock

In this episode we chat to science fiction author, Anne Charnock. For Anne's latest novel "Dreams Before the Start of Time" received the Arthur C Clarke award in 2018, and explores the future of fertility, and pre-natal genetic screening. Anne was also a Phillip K Dick Award nominee for here 2013 novel "A Calculated Life". It's becoming more and more clear that sci-fi and futurism can have great influence in our culture. In our chat with Anne we dive into the role of sci-fi as a launchpad for scientific exploration, the ethical obligations of the writer, the power of daydreaming, and how writers balance literary freedom with the maintenance of good grounded science.  Relevant links:  Anne's website &amp; twitter  Anne's chat with Elsa Sotiriadis at Hello Tomorrow (video)  

In this episode we chat to science fiction author, Anne Charnock. For Anne's latest novel "<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27780648-dreams-before-the-start-of-time" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dreams Before the Start of Time</a>" received the Arthur C Clarke award in 2018, and explores the future of fertility, and pre-natal genetic screening. Anne was also a Phillip K Dick Award nominee for here 2013 novel "A Calculated Life". It's becoming more and more clear that sci-fi and futurism can have great influence in our culture. In our chat with Anne we dive into the role of sci-fi as a launchpad for scientific exploration, the ethical obligations of the writer, the power of daydreaming, and how writers balance literary freedom with the maintenance of good grounded science.  Relevant links: <ul> <li>Anne's <a href="http://annecharnock.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/annecharnock" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter</a> </li> <li>Anne's chat with Elsa Sotiriadis at Hello Tomorrow (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fHv28X_bCk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">video)</a> </li> </ul>

How to Write our Future with Anne Charnock

Charles Fracchia

In this episode we chat to Charles Fracchia, CEO and Co-Founder of BioBright a bioscience data company driven to make labs faster and smarter. Showing that building out a smart lab isn't the preserve of the roboticists, Biobright hoovers up every drop of experimental data with a view to make science more reproducible. Their product 'DarwinSync' can hook up to you electronic lab notebooks, be searched through voice, and can even help with the analysis and visualisation of lab data. Charles' CV reads like a who's who of science innovation, from his IBM PhD Fellowship in the MIT Media Lab, to working in George Church's lab at the Wyss Institute. He was also an early intern at Ginkgo Bioworks. He's even been named one of 35 Innovators Under 35 by the MIT Technology Review. Relevant articles:  All about BioBright Charles' Site  A feature in Scientific American on reproducibility Labiotech piece on lab automation 

In this episode we chat to <a href="http://www.charlesfracchia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charles Fracchia</a>, CEO and Co-Founder of <a href="https://biobright.com/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BioBright</a> a bioscience data company driven to make labs faster and smarter. Showing that building out a smart lab isn't the preserve of the roboticists, Biobright hoovers up every drop of experimental data with a view to make science more reproducible. Their product 'DarwinSync' can hook up to you electronic lab notebooks, be searched through voice, and can even help with the analysis and visualisation of lab data. Charles' CV reads like a who's who of science innovation, from his IBM PhD Fellowship in the <a href="https://www.media.mit.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MIT Media Lab</a>, to working in George Church's lab at the <a href="https://wyss.harvard.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wyss Institute</a>. He was also an early intern at Ginkgo Bioworks. He's even been named one of 35 Innovators Under 35 by the MIT Technology Review. Relevant articles: <ul> <li><a href="https://ilp.mit.edu/newsstory.jsp?id=22401" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All about BioBright</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.charlesfracchia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charles' Site</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-under-scrutiny-the-problem-of-reproducibility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> A feature in Scientific American on reproducibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://labiotech.eu/features/biotech-laboratory-automation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Labiotech piece on lab automation</a></li> </ul>

Biology's Big Data Problem with Charles Fracchia

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