Show overview
Ri Science Podcast has been publishing since 2016, and across the 10 years since has built a catalogue of 125 episodes, alongside 8 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 110 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 38 min and 1h 18m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Science show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2026, with 20 episodes published. Published by The Royal Institution.
From the publisher
Explore a new area of science every month from the world's sharpest minds. 'From the Theatre' episodes every second Wednesday of the month, bringing you talks from the Ri's world-renowned Theatre. Ri Science Podcast original episodes every last Wednesday of the month, lifting the lid on the science all around us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
View all 125 episodesThe standard model, beauty quarks, and the future of particle physics - with Harry Cliff
From the PhD Lab: How do biofilms help keep bacteria alive? - with Josh Horton
The PLATO mission: Discovering other planets fit for life - with Ana Heras and Alistair Winton
From the Theatre: How AI is redesigning the battery - with the Faraday Institution
The science of heatwaves, health, and wildfires: Why was the summer of 2026 so hot? - with Clair Barnes, Gary Konstantinoudis and Alisha Fuller-Armah
From the Theatre: What is a solar eclipse? - with Frank Close
Quantum field theory, AI, and the future of theoretical physics - with Ross Jenkinson
From the Theatre: How biomechanics is optimising human movement - with Eline van der Kruk
Cell signalling, heart disease, and the hidden physics of light - with Izzy Jayasinghe and Alfredo Carpineti
From the Theatre: The past, present, and future of space exploration - with Anu Ojha
Unveiling the ghost particle: Neutrinos and their impact on particle physics - with Kirsty Duffy
From the Lab: Treating cancer with light through photodynamic therapy - with Stephen Bown
How does epigenetics impact the placenta? - with Jennifer Frost
From the Lab: Nanoparticles and their applications - with Ivan Parkin
The science of consciousness: Could a conscious AI exist? - with Anil Seth
The science of consciousness is a complex and constantly evolving field of research. Neuroscientists are still understanding how it originates in humans, but the question now arises of whether Artificial Intelligence could ever become conscious. Cognitive and computational neuroscientist Anil Seth discusses the current theories for consciousness, and the probability of AI ever becoming conscious, in his essay 'the mythology of conscious AI' which won him the 2025 Berggruen Prize Essay Competition. Read Anil's winning essay here. Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia HaleAssistant producer: Georgina Gonzalez and Freddie Rodgers Music: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the Lab: The future of sound wave engineering - with Sriram Subramanian
In this month's From the Lab episode, we discover the power of sound waves and how they can manipulate small objects with engineer Sriram Subramanian, ahead of his Discourse at the end of March. Sriram explains the science behind acoustic holography and levitation, and how we could see these concepts in practice in industries ranging from gaming to medicine.About 'From the Lab':This is the third of our new 'From the Lab' series, taking the place of our 'From the Theatre' episodes. UCL are celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2026, and we've collaborated with them to host UCL researchers as our Discourse speakers throughout 2026. As part of this collaboration, we'll be bringing you episodes with each of these speakers two weeks before their Discourses to explore their research topics further and give you a sneak peek of what's to come in their Discourse.Buy tickets to Sriram's Discourse on Friday 27 March on our website.Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets for upcoming talksSubscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia HaleMusic: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What can ancient DNA reveal about the past? - with Pooja Swali
How can ancient DNA help us understand how diseases spread? This month, geneticist and pathogen genomics expert Pooja Swali explains how samples of DNA from the past can reveal how diseases have spread across the world over time. We explore the what, where, how, and why of ancient DNA research, and what doors these questions have opened for the future of the field. Pooja has worked extensively on Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for plague, and uncovered the existence of plague thousands of years earlier than previously anticipated. Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and our new ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia HaleMusic: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the Lab: Investigating exoplanets - with Jonathan Tennyson
Planets outside of our solar system can unlock an abundance of secrets about our Universe. But how do we study them? Astrophysicist Jonathan Tennyson discusses his own research into exoplanets, and how researchers can use the stars to learn more about planets.About 'From the Lab':This is the second of our new 'From the Lab' series, taking the place of our 'From the Theatre' episodes. UCL are celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2026, and we've collaborated with them to host UCL researchers as our Discourse speakers throughout 2026. As part of this collaboration, we'll be bringing you episodes with each of these speakers two weeks before their Discourses to explore their research topics further and give you a sneak peek of what's to come in their Discourse.Buy tickets to Jonathan's Discourse on Friday 27 February on our website.Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and 'From the Lab' episodes are released on the second or third Friday of the month (two weeks before their respective Discourse). Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia HaleAssistant producer: Freddie RodgersMusic: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The role of inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease - with Tomi Akingbade
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the excessive build-up of proteins in the brain. Neuroscientist Tomi Akingbade joins us this month to explain how inflammation could be playing a role in the progression of Alzheimer’s, and what this could mean for future research. Tomi is also the founder of the Black Women in Science (BWiS) network, and discusses the profound impact it’s had on herself and the community around her since she started the network. Discover more about the BWiS networkFollow BWiS on Instagram Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and ‘From the Theatre’ episodes are released on the second Wednesday of the month. Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia Hale Music: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the Lab: How mathematics is powering medical innovation – with Becky Shipley
Medical research is continuously evolving with new technologies, but another key player in spurring this evolution is mathematics. Mathematician and healthcare engineering expert Becky Shipley joins us to discuss the role mathematics is playing in medical research, and some of the fascinating and innovative technologies she's been a part of developing. About 'From the Lab':This is the first of our new 'From the Lab' series, taking the place of our 'From the Theatre' episodes. UCL are celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2026, and we've collaborated with them to host UCL researchers as our Discourse speakers throughout 2026. As part of this collaboration, we'll be bringing you episodes with each of these speakers two weeks before their Discourses to explore their research topics further and give you a sneak peek of what's to come in their Discourse. Buy tickets to Becky's Discourse on Friday 30 January on our website.Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month, and 'From the Lab' episodes are released on the second or third Friday of the month (two weeks before their respective Discourse). Subscribe to be notified as soon as the next episode is released! Book tickets to upcoming talks on our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us: @ri_science on Instagram and TikTok Producer and presenter: Lia HaleMusic: Joseph Sandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.