This week we are discussing engagement between academics and policy professionals – and some of the recent programmes and activities in this area in the UK. Here to discuss that is Sarah Chaytor, Director of Research Strategy & Policy at University College London.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

Ahead of COP29, Professor Nathalie Pettorelli from The Institute of Zoology at the Zoological Society London (ZSL) joins us to explore how climate change and global biodiversity loss intersect, how solutions can address both, and how policy decision makers can do more.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week we talk to Charles Harris, PhD student at The University of Cambridge who is looking at marrying the lessons learnt by 2024 Chemistry Nobel Prize winners and their game-changing AI tool for predicting protein structures called AlphaFold with generative modelling and drug discovery.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

Our guest this week is Nicole Brown, Head of Research Ethics and Integrity at University College London (UCL)’s Institute of Education.Nicole discusses what academic teams need to do next to make Science and Technology more inclusive for those with disabilities, chronic illness and neuro divergence. She also looks at issues with disclosure, the imp…

Our guest this week is Rachel Youngman who has worked extensively in the legal profession, and in social justice particularly with young people and with refugees. For the last 10 years she has brought that society experience to science to help improve diversity and international collaboration. She is currently Chair of the Engineering Council’s Com…

In this podcast, Professor Sir Peter Knight, Chair of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme Strategic Advisory Board, discusses quantum technologies in the UK - what they are, how close they are to market, and what support might be needed from the UK Government.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

To discuss all things quantum, our guest is Professor Hatef Sadeghi, Professor of Computational Quantum Engineering at the University of Warwick, a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and also a former Foundation for Science and Technology Future Leader.This is the first podcast in a short series to discuss quantum technologies, in advance of an event being…

Welcome back to the FST podcast! After a short summer break, we are back. This week, we are discussing Precision Health with Professor Rameen Shakur, Professor of Genomics and Precision Cardiovascular Medicine, Director of Brighton Integrative Genomics (B.I.G) Unit and Director of Centre of Research Excellence in Precision Health and Translational …

In this episode, we talk to Clara Nörenberg, ETH (Swiss Polytechnical) University mechanical engineering student. She is team leader for aCentauri - a group of students who have built a solar powered car from scratch. They have recently raced the car across an Australian desert but aren't technically racing fans. Our communications officer chats to…

In this episode we talk to journalist and political commentator, Loretta Napoleoni about technology, capitalism, Artificial Intelligence and the risks of technological innovation ‘boxed inside profitability’, particularly when it comes to sustainability and getting to NetZero.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

Energy storage equalises the supply of renewables with the demand for electricity. This week we talk to Professor Seamus Garvey, Professor of Dynamics at the University of Nottingham about the different forms of energy storage, how it works, why it is the best way to ensure secure supply on the road to Net Zero, and what the future holds.…

In the third of a special sequence of podcasts recorded at the fifth international conference of INGSA (the International Network for Governmental Science Advice), we are joined by Pascal Gatabazi, Chief Technical Adviser for the Ministry of Education here in Rwanda.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this special sequence of podcasts recorded at the fifth international conference of INGSA – the International Network for Governmental Science Advice in Rwanda, we are joined by Dr Doyin Odubanjo, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, and Chair of INGSA Africa.We discuss the changing face of science advice in Africa, the chall…

Professor Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientific Adviser of Quebec and President of INGSA (the International Network for Governmental Science Advice) discusses the work of INGSA and INGSA's biennial conference taking place this week in Kigali.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this episode, we talk to sleep therapist Dr Katharina Lederle about the science of sleep, circadian rhythms, and the experience of shift workers and cultural norms when it comes to getting rest.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this episode, we talk to Dr Jack Stilgoe, professor in science and technology studies at University College London, about driverless vehicles. We discuss what technologies are being tested, future prospects, questions of control, risk and regulation. Professor Stilgoe researches the governance of emerging technologies, is part of the UKRI Respon…

In this episode, we talk to Dr Geoffrey Neale, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Composites and Advanced Materials Centre at Cranfield University.Dr Neale tells us about his work with composite materials within the aerospace and automotive industry and how they will help us move towards our NetZero goals here in the U…

This week, we are discussing the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s flagship synchrotron facility, based on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Diamond’s first user beams were in 2007, and agreement has recently been reached for the Diamond II Upgrade.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week, we are discussing nuclear fusion in the UK – from a technological, commercial and policy perspective with Warrick Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Tokomak Energy.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

A special edition episode broadcast live from the Northern Ireland Science Festival, we talk to leading expert on AI, Toju Duke. Toju is the founder of Diverse AI and author of “Building Responsible AI Algorithms”. She previously worked as Programme Manager for Responsible AI at Google.We talk about what responsible and diverse AI looks like and wh…

In this episode, we chat to Dr Melanie Garson, who is Cyber Policy and Tech Geopolitics Lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, as well as an Associate Professor in International Conflict Resolution & International Security at University College London. We look at cyber politics, conflict in the digital age, equal access, Artificial Int…

During this month of February 2024, we will be having a series of discussions about digital technology and AI, in the run up to an event that the Foundation for Science and Technology is holding on 28th February in London. For the second of these podcasts, we are joined by Lord Clement-Jones, Liberal Democrats House of Lords spokesperson for Scienc…

During this month of February 2024, we will be having a series of discussions about digital technology and AI, in the run up to an event that the Foundation for Science and Technology is holding on 28th February in London. For the first of these podcasts, we talk with Jor-El Benjamin (JB)- tech entrepreneur and founder of Kryotech about his focus o…

In our first podcast of 2024, we discuss innovation in healthcare and in the NHS with Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Regius Professor for Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Chief Scientist (Health) at the Scottish Government.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast Stephanie Baxter, Head of Policy at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, discusses engineering skills and the results of their recent survey.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast we are joined by Beatrice Barleon, from Engineering UK, to discuss a recent inquiry into engineering and technology apprenticeships, led by Lord Willetts and Lord Knight.The report set to investigate the reasons behind the worrying decline in engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships starts seen over recent years in …

To coincide with National Engineering Day, we're joined by Stewart Edmondson, CEO of the UK Electronic Skills Foundation, to discuss the electronics industry, and in particular how to tackle skills shortages in this sector.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week we are discussing healthcare technologies and in particular the challenges of bringing data systems into life sciences and the NHS. Our guest is Professor Clive Badman who has had an extensive career in life sciences and the pharmaceutical sector.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week we are discussing chemistry, the defence industry and things that go BANG! To provide an insight into this area is Professor Jackie Akhavan – Head of the Centre for Defence Chemistry at Cranfield University, and an expert is explosives chemistry.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast we're discussing the challenges of delivering healthcare in rural and remote areas of Scotland with Dr Marion Slater, Consultant Physician, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Associate Postgraduate Dean for Medicine, North of Scotland.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast, Professor Adam Sobey discusses data-centric engineering. This is following a launch in July of a phase 2.0 Data-Centric Engineering Programme- a partnership between LLloyd's Register Foundation and The Alan Turing Institute.https://www.turing.ac.uk/research/research-programmes/data-centric-engineering…

After a summer break, our podcast is back!To kick us off, we are joined by Dr Leslie Kanthan, co-founder and CEO of TurinTech, a London-based AI company. We are discussing all things AI, its rapid development, its potential to transform society, and how we might need to regulate it in the future.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast, we're discussing the innovation strategy published by the Scottish government last year. We're joined by Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principle of the University of Strathclyde, President of Royal Academy of Engineering and Co-Chair of the steering group for the innovation strategy.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

Today, the UK Committee on Research Integrity has released their first annual statement. It highlights ongoing efforts to ensure UK research is trustworthy, ethical and responsible, and identifies areas for further work. Read it here: https://ukcori.org/our-work/annual-statement-2023/ To discuss the publication is Professor Rachael Gooberman-Hill, …

In this podcast, Paul Mason, Director of Innovation Policy at Innovate UK, discusses the work of the company, the importance of innovation in the UK and the progress yet to be made.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week we are discussing the use of AI in healthcare with Professor Chris Holmes, Programme Director for Health and Medical Sciences at the Alan Turing Institute.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This is the third of a series of podcasts about semiconductors, in advance of an event being held by the Foundation for Science and Technology on 24 May on the UK Semiconductor Strategy. This week Ian Croston, General Manager of Coherent, discusses the company's recent scale-up, challenges facing the field and what he would like to see in the gover…

This is the second of a series of podcasts about semiconductors. Scott White, Founder and Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives at Pragmatic, tells us about the company and their technology for making flexible, low cost transistors and chips.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

Professor Rachel Oliver, Professor of Material Science at The University of Cambridge and Director of The Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride, tells us about the importance of semiconductors to industry and society.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast, Pedro Lourenco, Head of Digital Transformation Consulting at the Kaizen Institute, discusses the rapid digital transformation of organisations in both private and public sectors. What's driving this really significant set of changes, and where will we end up?Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This week we are discussing global plans to reach Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. Listen to Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, discuss the current challenges and necessary commitments to reaching this goal. This is in advance of a webinar being hosted on this subject by the Foundation on 21st March.…

In this podcast, Dr Helen Walker, discusses science using neutrons. In particular, she tells us about her research with the ISIS neutron and muon source, her role as an instruments scientist, and the potential uses and benefits of balcaloric materials.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast we are discussing a new project by the Campaign for Science and Engineering, CASE, called Discovery Decade, which is being launched today, 28th February 2023. Dr Ben Bleasdale, Director of the Discovery Decade project at CASE, tells us about the project and its implications for R&D.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast we are looking at the fashion industry with Jenny Holloway, Chief Executive of Fashion-Enter Ltd. We discuss technology in fashion and its potential to transform the industry’s contribution to global carbon emissions and pollution.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast David Pheonix, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University & CEO of LSBU Group, discusses technical education and technical skills in anticipation of our event on the 22nd of February. He tells us the unique approach of LSBU group, its results and reproducibility.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This is our first podcast of 2023, so Happy New Year to you all. This is also the first podcast in a series looking at technical education and technical skills, in advance of an event being run by the Foundation on 22 February 2023. In the podcast, Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of Engineering UK, discusses the issue of the technical skills gap…

This is the 4th and last of a series of podcasts looking at the experiences of black researchers in science and technology. Exploring some of the issues is Dr Bernadine Idowu, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of West London.Av Foundation for Science and Technology

This is the third podcast in a sequence looking at the experiences of black researchers in science and technology. Discussing some of these issues is Paulette Williams, Founder and Managing Director of Leading Routes, and Dr Michael Sulu, a Lecturer in University College London’s Department of Biochemical Engineering, and the STEM lead within Leadi…

Funding institutions have a significant role to play in ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion within the UK science and technology community. In this podcast, Dr Diego Baptista, Head of Research and Funding Equity at Wellcome Trust discusses some of the work in this area carried out by Wellcome. This is the second podcast in which we are looking…

In this week's podcast we welcome Sigourney Bonner, Co-Founder of Black in Cancer UK, PhD student at Cancer Research UK and a speaker at our upcoming event!We discuss Black in Cancer and its mission to increase the number of black cancer researchers, how this can be achieved, and whose responsibility it is.…