Brains Matter ©

In our continuing series on Science Communication, I talk to Sydney science journalist, Ian Woolf. Topics we discuss include:

– How Ian got into science communication
– How well is science communicated in Australia?
– Where does most of the communication come from in this country?
– The government’s lack of valuing of education
– Why is science communication important for public dialogue?
– What is being done particularly well in Australia?
– What science shows are being shown on television?
– The origins of Mythbusters
– OG proposes the idea of ABC4 – the science channel!
– Where can you find science on the internet?
– What is the delineation between science communicators and scientists who communicate?
– How does “authority” affect people’s perception of the communication of science?
– What needs to be done to help communicate science to the public?

Today’s listener of the episode is Jindrich Dusek, from Gothenburg in Sweden
Today’s promo is for Here’s Why

Included in the show are some out-takes as well!

Download MP3 of Ep 130

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In todays show, I talk to Karl Kruszelnicki, also known as Dr Karl, about science communication, in the Brains Matter continuing series of science communication. Topics we discuss are:

– Why do we need a science week?
– Respect for education
– Different attitudes to education and science overseas compared to western nations
– The differences education makes to the community and to economics
– Why is science important?
– How much of our economy is based on science and technology?
– What makes a good science communicator?
– Some hints for a science career

Today’s listener of the episode is Richard Pruen from the UK
Today’s promo is for Cheap Astronomy

Download MP3 of Ep 129

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In todays episode I talk to Bec Crew, from Cosmos Magazine. Bec won the Australian Government’s National Science Week Big Blog Theory competition in the Blogging Category, and talked to me about science blogging, her blog, how it started and what got her interested in science communication. Bec also discusses what she thinks makes a good communicator, and how one might get into science communication.

Today’s listener of the episode is Michael Booth.

Download MP3 of Ep 128

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In this episode, the fourth anniversary of the Brains Matter podcast, I talk to Professor Dennis Schatz, the Senior Vice President for Strategic Programs at the Pacific Science Centre in the US. We discussed the topic of communication in science, including:

– Dennis’s background
– What are some of the issues with current science communication?
– How do you develop your skills as a science communicator?
– What really excites people about science?
– Why is science singled out for jargon?
– What makes a good communicator?
– What are some of the programmes being run by the Pacific Science Centre?

Today’s listener of the episode is Mark Wilson from New Zealand.

Download MP3 of Ep 127

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The Ordinary Guy from the Brains Matter Podcast has contributed to another episode of 365 Days of Astronomy:

Transiting Extra Solar Planets

In this episode, I talk to Professor Missaka Wijayagunawardane from the Department of Animal Science at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Professor Wijayagunawardane is a Professor in Animal Science and is an elephants reproduction specialist. Topics we discussed included:

– What is the situation of elephants in Sri Lanka?
– What is the historical reason for this current situation?
– The causes of human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka
– What are the impacts of this human-elephant conflict?
– Reasons for loss of elephant habitat, such as chena cultivation
– What work is being done to mitigate human-elephant conflict?
– Some of the work that is being done between the University of Melbourne and the University of Peredinia
– The collaborative work done on elephant vocalisations
– The role being played by the Never Forget Elephants charity
– The difference between the Sri Lankan elephant and other Asian elephants
– Techniques used to increase the success of captive elephant births
– The work being done with mahouts

Today’s listener of the episode is Jack Scanlan from the Melbourne, Australia.

Download MP3 of Ep 126

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In this episode, I talk once again to the Dr Mark Boland, Principal Accelerator Physicist at the Australian Synchrotron, and he is alsoDeputy Director for the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science. He gave a presentation at the Synchrotron about ACAS, and has given his permission for all the listeners out there to hear it.

Download MP3 of Ep 125

Some images from the Australian Synchrotron facility:

Some of the magnets used.

An example of the complexity of some of the equipment

Inside one of the beam lines

Looking across the top of the facility where you can see all the beam lines

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In this episode, I talk to the Deputy Director for the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science. We talked about some of the work that has been done at the Australian Synchrotron since Dr Boland’s last appearance on the show.

– How will measurements take place at the LHC?
– What is a Linear Collider?
– What kind of collisions will take place?
– How much energy is used in the synchrotron?
– What kind of designs and locations are being considered for the Linear Collider?
– X-Ray Free Electron Lasers
– What is the purpose of XFELs?
– What kind of measurements do X-Ray movies take?
– What are the time scales involved?
– What is the uptime of the beam that the Australian Synchrotron can provide?
– What are some of the activities and work being done at the Synchrotron?
– An example of one of the projects done by a student at the Synchrotron, and what this could mean for the future.
– The Australian Council for Accelerator Science

Today’s listener of the episode is Andrea Newson.

Some of the computing equipment measuring some of the experiments

The outside of one of the beam lines

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The Amazing Bodies Exhibition is an exhibition that showcases bodies of all shapes and sizes – from reptiles, to land mammals, to whales, and even humans.

The exhibition premiered in Melbourne, and will tour Australia and New Zealand. One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibit is the use of the plastination technique to create the exhibition pieces. Listen in to the podcast to find out how plastination works. It was a technique invented in 1977 by Gunther von Hagens, and is a very laborious and complex process.

The skeleton of a baby giraffe

Amazing Bodies is a fusion of art and science – the bodies are placed in such a manner that it shows you the biology of the systems in question, and at the same time, their positioning is reminiscent of modern art.

The comparison between a cat brain and a dog brain

A cutaway view of a horse, showing the internal organs. The digestive system of the horse is such that it is unable to belch, so a buildup of gas can be quite dangerous, and colic can be a problem.

The circulatory system of the body, as mentioned in the podcast, using the casting method

And of course…

The bucking horse, which took 16 months to create

Download MP3 of Ep 123

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Out of frustration on not hearing enough about science and education in the 2010 Australian Election Campaign, I put together an open letter to every political party with questions that they should have all considered as part of formulating their education and science policies for the future.

I received several responses – including from the Australian Democrats, The Australian Greens, Secular Party, Australian Sex Party, Citizens Electoral Council (Doug Mitchell), Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party of Australia.

In this episode, firstly, I interview Karl Kruzselnicki about his views on the importance of science in Australia, and how this should influence science and education policy in the election, and then I walk through the responses I received from the political parties, with Big Blog Theory winner for the Blogging Category, Bec Crew, providing her reactions to the answers. Anthony David, from the Australian Democrats, was also good enough to take time out from the election campaign to speak to me.

For the full text of the open letter and list of questions please go to the original post listed above.

Have a listen to the responses, and vote responsibly.

Download MP3 of Ep 122

Links mentioned in this post include:

http://rick-westgarth.vic-democrats.org.au/

Democrats Election Action Plan

http://www.secular.org.au/candidates-2010/116-rosemarysceats

ALP innovation policy

ALP science policy

Please vote for this podcast this month at

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