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That's What I Call Science!

That’s What I Call Science

National award-winning radio show and podcast bringing a fresh new perspective on the issues that matter to you from the heart of Tasmania. We cover all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) from medical marijuana to science behind mental health issues, we feature expert guests and get to the guts of the issue.

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Avg 27 min
English

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#346
Today · 27 min
Episode 346: Roving Scientist Bar 2026
Happy birthday, Beaker Street! Hobart’s science festival turned ten years old this year, and Olly was back at its Roving Scientist Bar to hear from some of the scientists that make the festival special. Tune in to hear from scientists from across Australia, including a physicist, an ecologist, and maybe even a forensic scientist or two. Plus, we have two very special guests to start this week’s episode: the best volunteer duo from across the whole festival! Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Production: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki).
#345
October 11 · 27 min
Episode 345: Inspiring Women in STEMM 2026
Welcome to this year’s episode with the Inspiring Women in STEMM fellows! Firstly, we hear from Roberta Amoah, a PhD candidate in the School of Nursing at the University of Tasmania, with a background in midwifery and community health. Up next is Liqun Guan, an architecture graduate specialising in healthy, energy-efficient built environments. And, last on the mic, we have Kimiya Padidar, a PhD candidate at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, with a background in midwifery and human genetics. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah). Media & Promotion: Dr Georgia Stewart (Insta: plutoisstillcool).
#344
October 4 · 27 min
Episode 344: Tassie Climate Change-Makers
Young Tasmanians are taking over the microphones! Created as part of the University of Tasmania-led Young Tassie Climate Change-Makers Research Project, this episode gives Echo, Lily and Amanda the chance to ask the questions that matter to them. They speak with Luke Cripps from Alluvium Water Cremations about a lower-carbon alternative to flame cremation, and with forest ecologist and science-tour guide Daniel Bar-Ness from Giant Tree Expeditions about helping people connect with nature. Together, they explore environmentally responsible business, climate education, and how young people can help shape Tasmania’s future. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@HannahClareMoore). Co-host: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki). Young presenters: Echo, Lily and Amanda Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles) Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
S1 · E343
September 27 · 27 min
Episode 343: The wonders of curiosity
Curiosity killed the cat. Or did it? Turns out the rumours aren’t true, and the cat is off making incredible scientific discoveries. This week, Dr Jennifer Payne from the Curiosity Factory shares with Olly her passion for being curious and why she started STEMpals: the program connecting school children with scientists across the country. Beyond science outreach stories, Jennifer also shares her experiences in antimicrobial resistance, and tackling challenges of preventing and treating deadly diseases. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Production: Dr Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin). Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.
#342
September 20 · 27 min
Episode 342: Making Waves
What does it take to help people connect with the ocean? In this episode of That's What I Call Science, we chat with Dekota Mark, marine science communicator, educator, fellow podcaster, and Master of Marine and Antarctic Science graduate at the University of Tasmania. From founding the podcast Let's Dive In - Ocean Conversations to facilitating STEM programs with schools, collaborating with the Mawson's Huts Foundation, and using creative initiatives like Art for the Sea to engage young people, Dekota has explored countless ways to make marine science accessible and meaningful. We discuss the evolving role of science communication, what makes engagement effective, and why building connections between people and the ocean is just as important as understanding the science itself. Dekota also shares insights from her current research, the Big Fish Game, and her interest in knowledge co-production, bringing together Indigenous knowledge, policy, and Western science to support more holistic ocean management. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Co-Host: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun) Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun)
#341
September 13 · 27 min
Episode 341: The Big Fish Card Game
This week kicks off our double bill on the Big Fish card game! You may remember our first guest, Matt Testoni, from Episode 185. Matt’s back to tell us all about the Big Fish card game: a locally-made game aiming to engage the community in the conversation about sustainable fishing. Matt talks with Ella and Olly about what he’s been up to since he was last on TWICS, the creation of Big Fish, and what the process has been like to undertake such a huge endeavour. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Co-Host: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun). Production: Richard Siu (Insta: @richard.siu.photography). Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.
#340
September 6 · 27 min
Episode 340: A Tune to Change Lives
Did you know musicking (the act of connecting to music) lights up more parts of the brain than any other activity that modern scientific studies have found so far? So how can music transform from a catchy tune to therapy? In this episode Anna Abela chats with Zach Von Bertouch from Sonic Sibilings Music Therapy. Zach explains what musical therapy is and how music can affect the brain. Alongside his lived experience as a musical therapist working across palliative care, aged care, and individual sessions. 🎶 Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Anna Abela (@annaea.jpg). Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles) Social Media: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
S1 · E339
August 30 · 27 min
Episode 339: Our Planet, Our Future: GeoSciEd X
What does the future of geoscience education look like? Hannah heads to Adelaide for GeoSciEd X, the 10th International Conference on Geoscience Education, to meet some of the people working to inspire the next generation of earth scientists. We hear from educators, researchers and outreach leaders about the organisations and initiatives they represent, what they are presenting and showcasing at the conference, and what they are most excited about. From seismometers and magnetometers in schools to games, digital tools and hands-on earth science, discover some of the creative ways people are bringing geoscience to life. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah). Production: Dr Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin) Media & Promotion: Dr Georgia Stewart (Insta: plutoisstillcool)
#338
August 23 · 27 min
Episode 338: Connecting Science and Society
In this week’s episode of That’s What I Call Science, we are joined by science communication expert, Caitlin McLeod. We explore Caitlin's journey into science communication and the experiences that shaped her career. From delivering hands-on workshops to some of Western Australia's most remote schools with Scitech, to travelling the country as a Questacon Presenter, freelance science writing, and her current role in community engagement at Tasmania's medical research institute, Caitlin has spent years helping people connect with science in meaningful ways. We discuss what makes science communication effective, the importance of equity and inclusion in engagement, and why her favourite science communication tool is the "equity compass". Caitlin also shares insights from her work engaging communities in medical research, reflects on surprising lessons from a career in science communication, and considers what the future of science engagement might look like. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Co-Host: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun) Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.
#337
August 16 · 27 min
Episode 337: Adaptations in the Dark
What happens when animals spend thousands of years adapting to life in complete darkness? This week on That's What I Call Science, Dr Olly Dove and Dr Hannah Moore are joined by Josh Greenhill, a recent Honours graduate from the University of Tasmania and a Young Tassie Scientist. As part of our special Young Tassie Scientists mini-series, Josh takes us into the fascinating world of Tasmania's cave ecosystems and introduces us to one of the state's most unusual creatures: the Tasmanian mountain shrimp, or Anaspides. We explore how these ancient animals have adapted to life underground, what makes cave ecosystems so unique, and whether specialised cave species may be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Along the way, Josh shares stories from his fieldwork adventures in Tasmania's caves and discusses his passion for understanding the weird and wonderful adaptations found throughout the natural world. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Co-Host: Dr Hannah Moore Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)
S1 · E336
August 9 · 27 min
Episode 336: Creating Galaxies from Scratch
What happens when a black hole launches a jet travelling close to the speed of light? And how can scientists study events happening millions of light years away? This week we are joined by Sophie Young, a PhD candidate in astrophysics at the University of Tasmania and a Young Tassie Scientist. This episode is part of our special Young Tassie Scientists mini-series, highlighting emerging researchers who are sharing their passion for science with students and communities across Tasmania. Sophie works in computational astrophysics, using powerful supercomputers to create virtual galaxies and simulate the behaviour of black hole jets. We explore what black holes really are, how these extraordinary jets influence the evolution of galaxies, and why simulations are such an important tool for understanding the Universe. Along the way, Sophie shares her journey into science, her passion for coding and problem solving, and her experiences inspiring students through the Young Tassie Scientists program. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Co-Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Production: Dr Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin) Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
#335
August 2 · 27 min
Episode 335: Lightning, crystals, action!
Have we got an explosive episode for you today, listeners! If you live in Hobart, you may have seen a man walking around with a briefcase full of enough gadgets and wotsits to make an international spy envious. And that man is Sam Verne, today’s guest. Sam is a cosmologist who studies how light changes colour when it passes through moving galaxies. He is also a scicomm enthusiast who shares his love of physics, crystals, and lightning frequently with the public. In today’s episode, he tells Tegan and Olly about his work and a few of the gizmos kept in his briefcase. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove). Co-Host: Tegan Clark. Production: Richard Siu (Insta: @richard.siu.photography). Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)
#334
July 26 · 27 min
Episode 334: Protecting Potatoes
We sit down with Thomas Verne, a Masters researcher at the Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, to talk about his work developing probiotics that protect potatoes from disease. We also dig into his path from drought science to plant microbiology, and what it's like being part of the Young Tassie Scientists program. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Co-Host: Tegan Clark Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
#333
July 19 · 27 min
Episode 333: Reef Recovery and Marine Conservation
We kick off our Young Tassie Scientists series with marine ecologist Paula Ruiz, a PhD candidate at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania. Paula shares her journey from Colombia to Australia and the experiences that inspired her passion for ocean conservation. We explore her research into reef recovery along Australia's east coast, investigating how marine heatwaves, sea urchin grazing, and algal turf communities influence the loss and potential recovery of kelp forests. Paula discusses the importance of science communication, inspiring the next generation of scientists, and why healthy marine ecosystems are essential for our future. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Co-Host: Tegan Clark Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.
July 12 · 27 min
Episode 332: Hot leaves and heatwaves
Dr Margaux Didion-Gency grew up playing in the forest, building tree houses and as an adult she hangs out in forests, shrublands and very hot climate chambers to study how plants respond to climate change. Recording in the middle of a heatwave in Europe, in this very topical episode we hear about Margaux’s research into what happens when plants get too hot. Listen to learn about Margaux’s exciting new research into how leaf shape influences plant heat tolerance and how this changes when heat and drought are combined. Margaux takes us on a journey from the conception of a hypothesis, through the design and execution of an experiment and interpretation of the results. Join us for fascinating stories of how plants adapt to heat, bookended by Marguax’s journey through science and her dreams for the future. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Kate Johnson (@kateplantphys.bsky.social) Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles) Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (Insta: plutoisstillcool)
#331
July 5 · 27 min
Episode 331: The National Museum of Computing
During her final week in the UK, Olly had the pleasure of visiting The National Museum of Computing in Bletchley. There, she chatted with four volunteers about what visitors can see at the museum, as well as their own experiences in computing and electrical engineering. The museum houses computer models from the very early days of computing, including those far larger than Olly herself! Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Production: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
S1 · E330
June 28 · 27 min
Episode 330: Ecological adventures around the world
A long, long time ago in a university far away, TWICS host Olly studied Zoology alongside adventurer Kate Lacey. Kate’s career would take her across the world to places like the Amazon, South Africa, and beyond. On her recent trip to the UK, Olly caught up with Kate to hear about her career in ecology, including Kate’s involvement with the recent reintroduction of pine martens to southwest England. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove) Production: Dr Simin Salarpour Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.
June 21 · 27 min
Episode 329: Getting to the Root of Climate History
How much can a tree tell us about the climate? Quite a lot, it turns out. This week, we chat with Dr Kathryn Allen from the University of Tasmania, one of Australia’s few dendroclimatologists, about how she uses tree rings to reconstruct past climates and environmental change. Kathryn shares her unconventional pathway into science and how she built a career in climate research. Along the way, we explore how tree rings record rainfall, temperature and drought, what these natural archives can reveal about past climate variability, and why this research is so important for understanding our changing world. She also shares a few memorable fieldwork stories from her adventures collecting samples in the field. From climate science to tree-ring detective work, this episode offers a fascinating look at the hidden stories written in wood. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)
#328
June 14 · 27 min
Episode 328: The Geology Behind Copper
Copper is all around us, from the wires in our homes to the technologies powering the transition to renewable energy. But where does it actually come from, and how do we find it? In this episode, Dr Hannah Moore is joined by geologist Dr Yamila Cajal to explore the fascinating science behind copper. From her early career in mining and exploration in Chile to her current research at UTAS, Yamila shares what it’s really like to work as a geologist and how scientists uncover valuable resources hidden deep beneath our feet. Together, they dive into how copper forms, why it’s considered a critical mineral, and the important role geology plays in building a more sustainable future. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah) Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)
S1 · E327
June 7 · 27 min
Episode 327: Digging into the groundwater beneath our feet
What is a hydrogeologist, why is groundwater important, and how can mine sites both contribute to and impact our hidden water sources? In this episode, Dr Elise Tuuri is joined by the recently conferred Dr Birte Moser, a hydrogeologist at Flinders University's National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre. Birte takes us into the hidden world of groundwater, from the surprising hydraulic evolution of pit lakes after mine closure, to banking surplus water underground in the Murray–Darling Basin as a resource to utilise in periods of drought. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Elise Tuuri (Insta: @elisetuuri_) Production: Dr Simin Salarpour Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho

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