Self Improvement Wednesday: Recent Episodes
ABC Radio
Whales are considered to be pretty smart creatures, and like us many species of them have innate curiosity.
There's a hybrid total eclipse coming to Australia this month - but it'll only be visible from the West. Fred Watson explains what it all means
Professor Richard Kingsford from UNSW has tracked a lot of animals in his time, and he shares some fascinating insights into how it's done.
The answer is: maybe! Volcanic activity is more common than you might think, and volcanoes can be born in the blink of an eye.
Thecla is someone that most of us would never have heard of, yet during her time, it seems she was a figure more popular than the Virgin Mary.
Learn more about the microbes that love eating through some of our most important food sources.
Trees are invaluable for absorbing carbon - how will they fare in a changing environment?
Trees are invaluable for absorbing carbon - how will they fare in a changing environment?
The order of "gay male nuns" founded in San Franciso in the late 70s found its way to Sydney in the 80s.
The most infamous and inexplicable death in Shakespeare's work comes from The Winter's Tale, which sees Antigonus leave the scene being chased by a previously unmentioned bear!
The most infamous and inexplicable death in Shakespeare's work comes from The Winter's Tale, which sees Antigonus leave the scene being chased by a previously unmentioned bear!
Our memory is something that defines us; it plays a huge part in who we are. So how does it all work, and can you improve it?
It might seem easy, but counting our wildlife can be difficult, and it's vitally important for conservation.
Mars may have been very similar to Earth's climate in the past, says Fred Watson, Australia's Astronomer at Large
What was life like for the Ngarigo people, who lived in one of Australia's only alpine regions in the Snowy Mountains?
The story of the 'gentleman bushranger', the longest-roaming outlaw in Australian history.
Find out all about the curious white whale Migaloo, who looks like an iceberg underwater. Your teacher for Self Improvement Wednesday is Dr Vanessa Pirotta, Wildlife Scientist at Macquarie University.
Ever wondered how those ethereal mineral formations are created in caves? Prof Andy Baker, cave and karst expert at UNSW’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences is your teacher this week for Self Improvement Wednesday.
Learn all about the the prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle. It's the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. With its spiked shell, beaklike jaws, and thick, scaled tail, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world." Ben Britton, Director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre joins Richard Glover for Self Improvement Wednesday.
Learn all about the the prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle. It's the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. With its spiked shell, beaklike jaws, and thick, scaled tail, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world." Ben Britton, Director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre joins Richard Glover for Self Improvement Wednesday.
They're the most diverse plant family in the world and they've managed to survive in all kinds of environments thanks to a whole lot of kooky and deceptive survival techniques. Learn about some of the sneaky tactics used by orchids with Distinguished Professor Kingsley Dixon from the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University.
They're the most diverse plant family in the world and they've managed to survive in all kinds of environments thanks to a whole lot of kooky and deceptive survival techniques. Learn about some of the sneaky tactics used by orchids with Distinguished Professor Kingsley Dixon from the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University.
Train carriages, station platforms and other transport like buses and ferries are also some of the most-used public spaces in our cities – many thousands of us share these intimate spaces with strangers every day.
Train carriages, station platforms and other transport like buses and ferries are also some of the most-used public spaces in our cities – many thousands of us share these intimate spaces with strangers every day.
The wet weather has driven many insects out of their homes to seek shelter elsewhere — often in our homes.
The Sydney region was absolutely plagued with bushrangers, as well as cattle thieves, illegal distillers and even a few pirates, right up to the 1840s.
It's the iconic flower that has attracted attention since it was first observed by Aboriginal people thousands of years ago. Take a dip into the inner workings of the waratah with Dr Brett Summerell.
Professor Fred Watson explains how asteroids can cluster near planets in a gravity-neutral space
Just like a visit to a GP, there are ways to test the health of the environment. Richard Kingsford is professor of Ecosystem Science at UNSW and explains how the stethoscope is applied to an ecosystem.
It's the iconic flower that has attracted attention since it was first observed by Aboriginal people thousands of years ago. Dr Brett Summerell takes a dip into the inner workings of the waratah.
The series ran for 27 years with every episode written by Gwen Meredith. Professor Michelle Arrow from Macquarie University explains why it was so captivating.
If you've ever seen a spider wrapped up in a leaf on its web, that's the leaf-curling spider. Learn more from Dr Jess Marsh, an arachnologist at Murdoch University.
When you think of the story of Jesus' birth, you might be confused with the different stories you've heard about how it all happened. The Reverend Professor Dorothy Lee from the University of Divinity unpacks the two versions of the story found in the Bible.
Having dogs as companions is a recent thing, isn't it? Not at all. Just ask the ancient Greeks and Romans
Why do we say the Big Bad Wolf, instead of the Bad Big Wolf? Tiger Webb, the ABC's Language Expert explains the hierarchy of how adjectives have to appear in the English language
A fascinating lesson on how the tallest trees manage to transport water from their deepest roots right through to their furthest limbs
Imagine a more relaxed commute with more space and fresh air. The key could be getting rid of many of our cars
It's considered so light an amusing, but Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is darker than you might think
The Bible says the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by an asteroid. Our own Astronomer-at-large isn't so sure.
It's mating season for the Alligator Snapping Turtles at the Big Cat Conservation Centre near Sydney. Ben Britton gives you a crash course on these fascinating creatures.
See if you can wrap your head around this fascinating maths lesson from your teacher Professor Nalini Joshi from the School of Mathematics at the University of Sydney as she dives into the world of unseen numbers, sequences and functions; and how they can be applied in the real world.
How do you define your place in the world? The theory of "Somewheres" and "Anywheres" was devised by British journalist and commentator, David Goodhart. It suggests some people are grounded to the place they're born, and others see themselves as a citizen of the world. Tim Dean, philosopher and author from the University of Sydney explains the theory.
Ever wondered why some pieces of music make you feel just so amazing you can't quite describe the feeling? Your teacher is Professor Emery Schubert, leader of the Empirical Musicology Lab at the University of New South Wales.
On Self Improvement Wednesday, Dr Brett Summerell dives into Myrtle Rust, a plant disease which has spread rapidly around Australia in just over a decade.
Two sightings of the Pygmy Blue Whale off Maroubra last year, but it's not the first time these mysterious creatures have been seen in our own blue backyard.
The departing director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Liz Ann Macgregor, on the work of artist, Dale Harding, of the Bidjara, Ghungalu and Garingbal peoples.
Ever wondered how on earth we managed to train our favourite furry friends to do both fun and very important things?
Turns out the accepted methodology for training man's best friend hasn't always been the same. Your teacher Dr. Kersti Seksel, vet, animal behaviourist and Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland takes you on a short journey through the history of dog training.
A small group of Ngarigu people and academic colleagues have been working hard to revitalise an ancient snow making song, sung on Ngarigu Country at Kunama Namadgi (the Snowy Mountains). It was once observed and written down by the nineteenth century explorer John Lotsky, and your teacher this week, Professor Jakelin Troy, Ngarigu woman and Director of Indigenous Research at the University of Sydney, tells of her revitalisation and performance of the ancient corroboree - and its intriguing result.
Does language influence how we think? Could it affect your conception of time, or the colours you see, or even your ability to count?
These questions are at the heart of what’s called the theory of linguistic relativity, sometimes known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Your teacher is Tiger Webb, the ABC’s Language Specialist.
You might be used to the idea that advertising revenue funds much of the media we access – newspapers, magazines, radio, television, digital media and more. But advertising is increasingly funding everyday public facilities and services in our cities – like buses and trains, bus stops, street signs, public toilets, and even road repairs. Your teacher Kurt Iveson, Associate Professor of Urban Geography at the University of Sydney takes us through the branded city and its impacts.
The black hole has captured the imagination of many an astronomer and our brightest boffins are constantly finding out more about one of the most mysterious phenomena in the universe. Your teacher Fred Watson, Australia's astronomer-at-large, sheds some light on some of the new research looking for different types of black holes.
It's a Greek word that has slipped into the Aussie vernacular, but the word "Eureka" was famously yelled by the great thinker Archimedes. So where did his lightbulb moment come from? And what happened next? Your teacher this week is Dr Anne Rogerson, the Charles Tesoriero Senior Lecturer in Latin at the University of Sydney.
Most people understand what architects do, but fewer understand what is involved in Landscape Architecture and what kind of skills we bring to their work. Elizabeth Mossop, Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney explains how to see places in all of their natural and human complexity.
Do you have a frog in your backyard? Maybe you often hear one at night in your street. Like us, frogs have preferences when it comes to where they live. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Dr Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum.
Dyarubbin, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, west of Sydney, has the longest recorded flood history in modern Australia. Written records go back to 1795, but Aboriginal people also told Governor King about floods before that. Your teacher is Professor Grace Karskens from the School of Humanities and Languages at the University of New South Wales, looking at how "flood-mindedness" in the area has evolved over centuries.
Everyone has had a nasty encounter with wildlife, even if it’s only getting stung by a bee. Now there is a global discipline of conservation science working on managing Human-Wildlife Conflict. Professor Richard Kingsford form the Centre for Ecosystem Science, at the University of New South Wales talks about how we can better understand our relationship with the world's wildlife.
Greek philosopher Aristotle influenced everything from logic to politics. So how was he able to set the tone for over two millennia of philosophical enquiry? Dr Tim Dean, a philosopher from the University of Sydney shares his insights.
“To be or not to be, that is the question" they're some of Shakespeare's most famous words. But do we know the true meaning of them? Huw Griffiths, Chair of English at the University of Sydney and author of Shakespeare’s Body Parts gives us the answer in this weeks instalment of Self Improvement.
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art educates us on the work of baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. An artist who turned the turmoil in her own life into incredible works of art.
Fungi can help trees communicate with each other. Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Institute of Botanical Science explains how this fascinating symbiotic relationship works.
The suit can be tracked back to 1666. Fashion Historian Dr Lydia Edwards with the history and evolution of the suit in Self Improvement Wednesday
This week your teacher is Ben Britton, Director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre. He joined Richard in studio with two royal pythons.
A quick glance around the world or through history will reveal that no matter what we happen to believe is morally right and wrong, there is at least one person or culture that believes differently, and holds their belief with as much conviction as we do.
When we think about the Greek myths we think of beasts like multi-headed dogs or giant eagles, but what about insects?
This week, you'll learn how and when to do an ‘acknowledgement of Country’, with a particular focus on the Sydney area. Your teacher is Jakelin Troy, a Ngarigu woman from the Snowy Mountains of South Eastern Australia and Director of Indigenous Research at the University of Sydney.
Green spaces in cities are vital for our wellbeing, but did you know that here in Sydney we have access to some of the best parks in the world? Elizabeth Mossop, Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Technology, Sydney teaches us all about it for Self Improvement.
Take a listen to this week's interesting lesson with Liz Ann Macgregor from the MCA on the art of Yinka Shonibare, a British-Nigerian artist, renowned for his works that investigate race, class, globalisation and cultural identity.
Do you ever wonder why your local road or place here in Sydney is called what it is? You might be surprised to learn it's gone through several different names over the years - and that's even before you consider what it's called by traditional owners. This week's lesson from Grace Karskens, Professor of History in the School of Humanities and Languages at the University of New South Wales.
They can hold their breath for two hours, they can dive up to one hundred metres and they are venomous. Learn all about sea snakes with this week's lesson from Dr Vanessa Pirotta from the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University.
Most people know that extinction is the end of a living species or group of species but our scientific knowledge goes well beyond this. Take a listen to this week's lesson with
Richard Kingsford, Professor of Environmental Science at the University of New South Wales.
The tadpoles of some frog species remain unknown to science, years after the adult frog is discovered. However, being able to identify the species a tadpole belongs to is vital for understanding the species and helping conserve it. Take a listen to this great lesson from Dr Jodi Rowley, Curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum.
The technologies that allow us to move across our city are much discussed, but what about those that enable us to move up and down in our cities? Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson about lifts, with Associate Professor Kurt Iveson, Urban Geographer at the University of Sydney.
This week saw the anniversary of one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in recorded history - Krakatoa, a volcano in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Tom Wright, Artistic Associate at Belvoir.
Have you ever seen one? Many say they have and debate has raged for many years - do big cats roam free in the Australia?. The main sighting is normally that of a large black cat, a black panther, well do they exist and what evidence is there, is it even possible? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Ben Britton, Director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre.
Most flowering plants reproduce by producing seeds or by pollination, but some species have given up this process altogether. They just clone themselves. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
History shows us that astronomy and troubled times go well together. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Fred Watson, astronomer-at-large.
Insects have a vast array of weaponry - they bite, they sting, they spray, they infest and they've even been used as military weapons in warfare! Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Dr Eliza Middleton from the Invertebrate Behaviour and Ecology Lab at the University of Sydney.
Kara Walker is a contemporary American artist widely known for her artworks that examine race, gender, sexuality and identity. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Greenland Shark can live more than 500 years. Dr Vanessa Pirotta for Self-Improvement Wednesday
It might not be such a giant squid but a newly discovered bobtail squid is certainly fascinating. Take a listen to this week's this lesson with Dr Mandy Reid, Malacology Collection Manager at the Australian Museum.
When we focus on threatened species, how much thought do we also give to the ecosystems in which they live?
Take a listen and learn just how important these ecosystems are with your teacher, Professor Richard Kingsford, Professor of Environmental Science at the University of New South Wales.
How's your English grammar? Are you someone who always corrects or are you corrected? Take a listen to this week's grammatical lesson with the ABC's language expert Tiger Webb.
Another pandemic, this one over 100 years ago led to a very different Sydney. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Nerida Campbell, curator at Sydney's Justice and Police Museum.
Even before Covid-19, the CSIRO were looking at new ways of working remotely. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Vanessa Moss, astronomer at the CSIRO.
Every culture that we have encountered through history seems to have some kind of spiritual belief. Are we hardwired to believe in agency, to believe that there's some meaning to life? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Tim Dean, philosopher at the University of Sydney.
Just over 250 years ago - Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander stepped ashore at Kurnell Peninsula in Botany Bay. Over the next eight days they collected enthusiastically and amassed specimens of 132 plant species from around Botany Bay, Kurnell, Cronulla and the Georges River. Take a listen to what they discovered in this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Finding frogs is often very hard, so how to detect them using another creature? Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Dr Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum.
The Wild Cat Conservation Centre has recently become the first organisation to breed Caracals in Australia. Take a listen to this week's lesson about these beautiful cats with Ben Britton, director of the Centre right here in Sydney.
Were the early days of the New South Wales colony awash with rum and alcohol as it was passed around as currency? Professor Grace Karskens from the School of Humanities and Languages at the University of New South Wales debunks whether or not that is entirely true in this week's Self Improvement from the history books.
Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon - to teach you all about it is Dr Vanessa Pirotta from the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University.
An April Fool's Day treat - caterpillars who pretend they are poo, death-feigning beetles and moths which outsmart bats. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Eliza Middleton from the University of Sydney.
The Cavills were a well-known Sydney family who were pioneers in swimming. Take a listen to their story and the tale of Percy Cavill who, amongst other things, invented the Australian Crawl.
A pound of flour or bread, a pound of salted beef OR just over half a pound of salted pork, plus a few dried peas and not much else. How was food in early Sydney distributed? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Sydney Living Museums Jacqui Newling.
Can the environment help us in economic terms? How is that measured and how will it make our lives better? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Professor Richard Kingsford from UNSW.
John Mawurndjul is a Kuninjku bark painter and sculptor and one of Australia’s most successful contemporary artists. Take a listen to director of the MCA Elizabeth Ann Macgregor talk about his life and work in this week's lesson.
You might see a word or phrase suddenly pop up over and over again in the news, or in your office, that you find incredibly annoying. What’s the origin of these words, are they new or in fact quite old? Take a listen to this week’s lesson with the ABC’s language expert Tiger Webb.
Are you hearing as many frogs as usual? Probably not as frogs are amongst the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Take a listen to how you can help the Australian Museum understand how frog species are responding to fires and drought.
Did you know the Serval name is derived from a Portuguese word meaning 'wolf-deer'. Find out about this fascinating creature in this week's lesson with Ben Britton, director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre.
The recent bushfires have had a devastating impact on plants, how can they ever recover? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden.
Dates for your stargazing diary - what to look out for in 2020 with CSIRO astronomer Vanessa Moss.
How are black holes lighting the way for scientists who want to look into the history of the universe? Find out in this week's lesson with CSIRO astronomer Vanessa Moss.
Why might coffee, chocolate and bananas be harder to come by in the future? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, chief botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden.
Australia is often known as the land of the parrots even though our 57 species only make up about 15% of the world's parrots. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Professor Richard Kingsford from UNSW.
Self Improvement Wednesday. The story of Charles Kingsford-Smith, as told by Tom Wright
The bugs that right now could be stuck on you! Take a listen to this week's Halloween inspired self improvement with Eliza Middleton from the University of Sydney.
A frog-finding journey in the Solomon Islands with Dr Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum. Take a listen to her fascinating field trip surveying frogs with the Kwaio community.
Colombian artist Doris Salcedo's work is influenced by her experiences of life growing up in Colombia. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Elizabeth-Ann Macgregor, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
It's worth up to ten thousand dollars a kilo and the largest piece ever found was over four hundred kilos! Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson on ambergris, with marine scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University.
How can implicit bias create racist attitudes of which we are not really conscious? Find out how you can test yourself during this week's lesson with philosopher Tim Dean from the School of Life.
Radio astronomy is still a relatively young field by comparison with optical astronomy, but even from its early years, Australia has always played a key role in advancing the field of radio astronomy.
What does Antony and Cleopatra tells us about Shakespeare's language? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Huw Griffiths from the Department of English at the University of Sydney.
Can a lion purr? Can a moggy roar? Ben Britton from the Wild Cat Conservation Centre talks about the differences and similarities between big and small cats.
The life of a convict in Hyde Park Barracks was not such a great one... take a listen to what was on the menu in the nineteenth century. Your teacher is Janson Hews from Sydney Living Museums.
Some of the most amazing marsupial facts you'll ever hear! Take a listen to this week's lesson with Richard Kingsford, professor of environmental science at UNSW.
Some of the most amazing marsupial facts you'll ever hear! Take a listen to this week's lesson with Richard Kingsford, professor of environmental science at UNSW.
Grasses are the most widespread group of plants on the planet and most animals, either directly or indirectly, are dependent on them. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Mimicry is a survival strategy used across the animal world. Take a listen to this week's lesson on how insects specialise in mimicry, your teacher is Dr Eliza Middleton from the University of Sydney.
Pregnancy can pose a lot of challenges for dental health, and expectant mothers can take some important steps in improving their dental care and that of their baby. Things like morning sickness can affect a mother's teeth. Baby teeth can also pose a challenge for some parents and letting your child sleep with a bottle can have an adverse affect on their dental health. Take a listen to Associate Professor in Life Sciences at the Sydney Dental School at the University of Sydney, Dr Ky-Anh Nguyen, who has some tips on how a mother and child can look after their teeth in those early years.
There is a Museum of Human Disease right here in Sydney. Founded in 1959, it houses a collection of over 2,500 diseased human tissue specimens with the earliest specimen dating back to 1898. Take a listen to this week's lesson with the museum's director Dean Lovett.
Fifty years ago this week, the world watched as three NASA astronauts made their way to the Moon on board their Apollo 11 spacecraft. What were the scientific results of that and subsequent missions? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Australia's astronomer at large Fred Watson. You can take your own personal tour of the Moon here https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-16/pocket-guide-to-the-moon/11260558
We can never get rid of bacteria, not even the bad ones because our life is dependent on them but we do need to know more about them. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Professor Liz Harry, Director of the ithree institute at UTS.
What exactly is emotional intelligence and do you just have it or can you develop it? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Tim Dean, philosopher and faculty member at the School of Life.
Are cacti and succulents the same thing, and do they suit our Australian gardens? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden right here in Sydney.
Are cacti and succulents the same thing, and do they suit our Australian gardens? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden right here in Sydney.
How human evolution has shaped the modern world. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Rob Brooks, Professor of Evolution at the University of New South Wales.