Optical communications pioneer Polina Bayvel

The invention of the optical fibres that makes ultra-fast broadband possible.

• 33 mins

Myles Allen on understanding climate change

The physicist behind net zero. Prof Myles Allen talks to Jim Al-Khalili.

• 36 mins

Anya Hurlbert on seeing colour

Anya Hurlbert tells Jim Al-Khalili how colours are made in the mind.

• 28 mins

Matthew Cobb on how we detect smells

What maggots teach us about our sense of smell. Prof Matthew Cobb tells Jim Al-Khalli

• 29 mins

Brian Greene on how the universe is made of string

Is the universe really made of string? Physicist Brian Greene talks to Jim Al Khalili.

• 34 mins

Jim McDonald on power networks

Is the National Grid fit for purpose? Jim McDonald talks to Jim Al-Khalili.

• 27 mins

Debbie Pain on conserving globally threatened bird species

Professor Debbie Pain talks to Jim Al-Khalili about conserving our endangered birdlife.

• 28 mins

Frank Kelly on air pollution

The impact of lockdown on the quality of the air we breathe.

• 27 mins

Liz Seward and the dream of spaceflight

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to Liz Seward about designing spacecraft.

• 29 mins

Jane Goodall on living with wild chimpanzees

Jane Goodall describes her life with the wild chimpanzees of Gombe.

• 36 mins

Emma Bunce on the gas giants

Professor Emma Bunce shares her passion for Jupiter and Neptune with Jim Al-Khalili.

• 28 mins

Clifford Stott on riot prevention

How to stop peaceful protests turning into riots.

• 28 mins

Alice Roberts on bones

What can we learn from human remains? Alice Roberts talks bones with Jim Al Khalili.

• 33 mins

Andy Fabian on black holes

Professor Andy Fabian on supermassive black holes and their dramatic hold over galaxies.

• 28 mins

Dale Sanders on feeding the world

Why the world needs more plant scientists. Prof Dale Sanders talks to Jim Al-Khalili.

• 32 mins

Heather Koldewey on marine conservation

Saving seahorses and turning old fishing nets into luxury carpets.

• 28 mins

Francesca Happé on autism

Francesca Happé talks to Jim al-Khalili about the abilities of people with autism.

• 28 mins

Steve Haake on technology, sport and health

Steve Haake talks to Jim al-Khalili about how technology improves sporting ability.

• 28 mins

Sarah Gilbert on developing a vaccine for Covid-19

How did Sarah Gilbert get so far, so fast in developing a vaccine for Covid-19?

• 29 mins

Neil Ferguson on modelling Covid-19

Predicting the spread of Covid-19. Neil Ferguson talks to Jim Al-Khalili about lockdown.

• 37 mins

Scientists in the Spotlight during the Pandemic

Jim Al-Khalili finds out how The Life Scientific has changed during the pandemic.

• 38 mins

Chris Jackson on sustainable geology

Geologist Chris Jackson on the earth's past, deep salt and abseiling into a volcano.

• 27 mins

Cath Noakes on making buildings Covid-safe

How good ventilation dramatically reduces the risk of inhaling tiny airborne pathogens.

• 29 mins

Giles Yeo on how our genes can make us fat

Giles Yeo reveals the role our genes play in the obesity epidemic.

• 27 mins

Anne Johnson on the importance of public health

From HIV to influenza and Covid-19, why prevention is better than cure.

• 30 mins

Jane Hurst on the secret life of mice

Jane Hurst reveals how mice are ruled by their noses.

• 27 mins

Richard Bentall on the causes of mental ill health

Why madness is in the world not in us. Prof Richard Bentall talks about his life and work.

• 41 mins

Sarah Bridle on the carbon footprint of food

Why did a rising star in the study of dark energy turn her attention to climate change?

• 27 mins

Mark Spencer on how plants solve crimes

Inside the mind of a forensic botanist, Mark Spencer.

• 28 mins

Theresa Marteau on how to change behaviour

Prof Dame Theresa Marteau tells Jim Al-Khalili about her life and work.

• 27 mins