Summary:
What really happens at the forefront of scientific discovery, and who are the researchers doing the work?
Science from the Source is a new podcast that goes behind the headlines to meet the Manchester researchers at the heart of advances in science and engineering.
Hosted by theoretical physicists Dr Ross Jenkinson and Dr Sam Patrick, the eight-part series ventures beyond their own field to explore everything from artificial intelligence and meteorites, to alien life and cancer.
Launching on 12 November, with episodes released fortnightly, the series sees the pair follow their curiosity and discover answers alongside the listener.
Sam explains: “We’re talking to people doing things completely different from us, which means we’re discovering things alongside the listener. We can ask the questions that genuinely occur to us, including the ones you might not expect a scientist to ask.”
Ross Jenkinson adds: “What constantly surprises me is where the conversations go. You start with one question and suddenly find yourself looking at the subject in a completely different way. Those are the moments we wanted the podcast to capture.”
These conversations take them from the smallest scales imaginable to objects hurtling towards Earth. For example:
The series puts a spotlight on researchers whose role at the forefront of scientific discovery can often be less visible to the public.
Ross explains: “People generally understand what students do and they know what lecturers and professors do, but postdoctoral researchers are much less visible.
“Yet in many research groups, they’re right at the heart of the work, conducting the research and helping to drive discoveries forward. We wanted to put them centre stage and hear about the science directly from the people doing it.”
Across the series, Ross and Sam invite listeners to share in their curiosity to get closer to the questions shaping our future, meet the people driving the science, and experience the unexpected turns that are part of discovery itself.
Watch the series trailer: https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceFromTheSource