Cuppa with a Scientist: Recent Episodes
Loughborough University
‘Cuppa with a Scientist' is a podcast that aims to inspire the next generation of scientists. Hosted by Loughborough University's PR and Communications Officer – and aspiring scientist – Meg Cox, the series interviews a different scientist each episode about their academic journey to the top. The show will discuss how some of Loughborough’s academic stars went from a confused teenager choosing A-Level subjects to a leader in their field – sharing plenty of weird and wonderful stories and golden nuggets of advice in between.As well as keeping your ears and brain entertained, ‘Cuppa with a Scientist’ aims to dispel the myth that all scientists wear white lab coats and provide an insight into how vast the world of science really is.
Dr Pooja Goddard, a Royal Society Industry Fellow and senior lecturer in Chemistry, joins Cuppa with a Scientist to discuss increasing diversity in science and higher education, and where issues seem to lie.
Professor Andrew Chadwick, an expert in Political Communication, discusses his academic journey, advice for students hoping to pursue communication, and how social sciences can improve our online communication.
But what exactly is ‘greenwashing’ and why is it an issue? Dr Tom Stanton, a freshwater scientist in the Geography and Environment Department at Loughborough University, provides an explanation for the popular buzzword.
Emeritus Professor Barry Bogin, an expert in Biological Anthropology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University, discusses a range of topics including how chronic stress stunts child growth.
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:10 - Introducing Professor Barry Bogin
00:12:18 - Discovering anthropology... from a book to a career
00:21:06 - From USA to Loughborough... and the difference in university styles
00:32:43 - Career high points and publishing a book
00:36:50 - Shaking up the word with ideas
00:41:47 - Stress and the impacts on slowing bone growth
00:16:25 - Life after a PhD and working life
00:20:54 - Collaborating overseas...
00:22:30 - Lab work... building and testing
00:24:22 - Small Gamma cameras to identify cancer
00:37:16 - More exciting research areas
00:42:14 - Favourite parts of the job... and the not so good bits
00:44:48 - 3D printed mouse skeletons and... ahem... unexpected adult toys
00:48:02 - Inspiration and career goals
00:50:29 - What does a physicist do in their spare time?
00:51:57 - What's next...
00:53:35 - Hot topics and advice for students aiming for a career in physics
00:58:16 - Limit-less campaign
00:59:23 - Thanks and goodbye
Professor Mark Lewis, an expert in musculoskeletal biology, discusses his involvement in the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) plus future research and why a small, cute amphibian has piqued the interest of scientists working in this area.
Dr Kinga Morsanyi, Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Cognition, discusses the issue and highlights that it’s important that those with maths anxiety understand it doesn’t mean they’re bad at maths.
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:12 - Introducing Kinga Morsanyi
00:03:35 - Life as a Cognitive Psychologist
00:05:51 - What does a Cognitive Psychologist do?
00:10:11 - Misconceptions surrounding the role
00:12:26 - GP aspirations and journey into psychology
00:20:50 - Life after a PhD, travelling and standout moments
00:27:00 - Competing for jobs and being a woman working in science
00:30:35 - Varied work life and research
00:39:55 - Maths anxiety doesn't mean you're bad at the subject
00:53:29 - Most unusual part of the job...
00:55:45 - Career goals
00:57:27 - Cognitive Psychologist hobbies
00:59:02 - Hot topics and advice for students
01:04:43 - Why should somebody consider a career as a Cognitive Psychologist?
01:07:12 - Thanks and goodbye
Physicist Dr Sarah Bugby discusses her academic journey, ongoing research and an idea involving artificial skin that led to a peculiar meeting, to name but a few topics...
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:08 - Introducing Dr Sarah Bugby
00:03:35 - Life as a physicist in the medical field
00:05:53 - Misconceptions about being a physicist
00:07:16 - Vet? Butcher? Teacher? The journey to becoming a physicist
00:11:57 - Handling rejection and bouncing back as a researcher
00:11:40 - Stories from the field
00:13:00 - Being a woman in physics
00:16:25 - Life after a PhD and working life
00:20:54 - Collaborating overseas...
00:22:30 - Lab work... building and testing
00:24:22 - Small Gamma cameras to identify cancer
00:37:05 - More exciting research areas
00:42:03 - Favourite parts of the job... and the not so good bits
00:44:37 - 3D printed mouse skeletons and... ahem... unexpected adult toys
00:47:51 - Inspiration and career goals
00:50:18 - What does a physicist do in their spare time?
00:51:46 - What's next...
00:53:24 - Hot topics and advice for students aiming for a career in physics
00:58:05 - Limit-less campaign
00:59:12 - Thanks and goodbye
Aspiring scientist and host Meg Cox is joined by extreme weather and climate scientist Professor Rob Wilby to discuss a career in environmental science, extreme weather and COP26.
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:46 - Introducing Professor Rob Wilby
00:03:48 - What is a Professor of Hydroclimatic Modelling
00:06:21 - Storms and the journey to a career in extreme weather
00:10:48 - Losing a passport in Tajikistan
00:11:57 - Handling rejection and bouncing back as a researcher
00:13:57 - Varied work life and COP26
00:17:50 - Research: from extreme weather events to conservation
00:26:35 - Climate change and the fear of uncertainty
00:28:12 - Extreme indoor temperatures and taking action
00:30:05 - Capturing water temperatures and why it's important
00:34:23 - Favourite part of the job and not-so-glamorous bits
00:36:30 - Hanging Polo mints in rivers...
00:38:09 - Battling environmental issues provides great motivation
00:39:50 - Next career goals and hobbies
00:42:40 - Importance of communicating research for the media and a wider audience
00:44:07 - Hot topics for climate research and words of wisdom for aspiring scientists
00:47:06 - Why should people consider a career in environmental sciences?
00:48:17 - Summing up a career in three words... plus the lights go out!
00:49:49 - Thanks and goodbye
Aspiring scientist and host Meg Cox is joined by gender and an expert in the physiology of ageing, Professor James Goodwin, to discuss what is good for the brain, how a career in the army helped his scientific work and writing a book...
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:08 - Introducing Professor James Goodwin
00:05:13 - What is does an expert in the physiology of ageing do?
00:09:23 - Do you have the answer to eternal youth? (Common misconceptions)
00:10:36 - Career goals growing up and the army
00:15:33 - Becoming a mature student and completing a Masters degree
00:19:38 - Presentations to experts, PhDs and beyond
00:32:53 - Working at Age UK, meeting royalty and research
00:41:02 - Returning to Loughborough University as a visiting professor
00:44:07 - Stand out moments in field work and project outcomes
00:46:42 - Career challenges and learnings
00:52:00 - Ongoing research
00:54:15 - Further research and standout work
00:58:30 - Supercharge your brain... What is good for your brain?
01:05:15 - Next career goals... and most exciting part of the job
01:09:03 - Weirdest parts of the job...
01:13:30 - Next hot topics in the field and words of wisdom
01:18:26 - Thanks and goodbye
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Aspiring scientist and host Meg Cox is joined by gender and health psychologist Dr Gemma Witcomb to discuss life as a scientist, juggling children and academia, transgender and non-binary participation in sport, and body image and eating behaviour.
Professor of behavioural medicine Amanda Daley joins host and aspiring scientist Meg to discuss her research in weight management and exercise, 'down the pub' science and how much exercise it takes to burn off a Lion bar. Plus much more!
Aspiring scientist and host Meg Cox is joined by Conversation Analyst Professor Elizabeth Stokoe to discuss the weird and wonderful aspects of conversation, including why US sitcom Friends is the perfect source material for breaking down speech.
Climate scientist Dr Tom Matthews joins host and aspiring scientist Meg Cox to discuss his trip to the top of Mount Everest in more detail.
The first-ever Cuppa with a Scientist podcast, brought to you by Loughborough University, as Dr Tom Matthews joins host and aspiring scientist Meg Cox to discuss his journey to becoming a climate scientist, fieldwork including a trip to the top of Mount Everest, and the weirdest jobs he's had to do during his career.
Time Stamps -
00:00:00 - Introduction to Cuppa with a Scientist
00:01:47 - Introducing Dr Tom Matthews
00:08:56 - Misconceptions of climate scientists
00:12:36 - How did Tom become a climate scientist?
00:19:00 - University experience
00:30:36 - Life after a PhD
00:38:11 - Weird and wonderful moments as a climate scientist
00:46:13 - What keeps you motivated?
00:50:53 - Not-so-glamorous part of the job
01:02:18 - Advice for up-and-coming scientists
01:07:03 - Why be a scientist?
01:11:02 - Follow on Twitter
01:12:19 - Thanks and goodbye
LIKE Loughborough University on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lborouniversity
Follow Loughborough University on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lborouniversity
Follow Loughborough University on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lborouniversity/
Loughborough University has officially launched ‘Cuppa with a Scientist, a brand new podcast led by the PR team that aims to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Hosted by PR and Communications Officer – and aspiring scientist – Meg Cox, the series interviews a different scientist each week about their academic journey to the top.
The show will discuss how some of Loughborough’s academic stars went from a confused teenager choosing A-Level subjects to a leader in their field – sharing plenty of weird and wonderful stories and golden nuggets of advice in between.
As well as keeping your ears and brain entertained, ‘Cuppa with a Scientist’ aims to dispel the myth that all scientists wear white lab coats and provide an insight into how vast the world of science really is.