The Science or Fiction Podcast: Recent Episodes
Kathryn Bates
We interview researchers to separate the science from the fiction in news headlines. Our new series on youth mental health launches with Episode 1: Does social media damage young people's mental health?
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In the first episode of our new series, Under Review, where a youth advisor takes over as host, Mariam Shah interviews Dr. Kathryn Bates, founder and producer of The Science or Fiction Podcast, to discover why we make the podcast, how science communication needs to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of social media, and what the podcast has coming up this year.
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The gender pay gap is identified as the difference in pay between men and women. A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute has revealed that women are paid on average 11.9% less than men in higher education institutions – that’s colleges and universities across the UK where students undertake undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This week we interviewed a panel of scientists and policymakers, including the author of the report to find out why the gender pay gap persists and how we can eliminate it.
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Instead of talking to a researcher or scientist about a controversial headline, we interviewed Fiona Fox to find out how science gets into the headlines. Fiona Fox is the CEO of the Science Media Centre and author of Beyond the Hype: The Inside Story of Science's Biggest Media Controversies. When news articles cover new research findings, you’ll often see a quote from a scientist giving their opinion on the evidence. This journalist has likely gone via the Science Media Centre to find an expert to comment on the story. Listen to find out how science and the media communicate and how science makes it into the headlines.
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Recent news articles have claimed young people needing mental health support will be offered social prescribing in light of lengthy waiting lists. We interviewed Dr Daniel Hayes to find out more about social prescribing and what the evidence shows when it comes to supporting mental health.
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We interviewed Shuranjeet Singh and Dr. Gurmukh Panesar from Taraki to better understand how charities conduct research and to find out more about their latest report on depression in Punjabi communities.
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Thank you so much to everyone who listened in 2023! Can't wait for you to see what we have in store this year. In this episode, we talk more about why we make the podcast, highlights from previous episodes, and what we've got coming up in 2024.
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Dr. Kathryn Bates, researcher Dr. Lily Verity, and activist Molly Taylor discuss why there are such high rates of loneliness in young people and how we can combat it. We cover everything from how we define loneliness, how we research it, the value of young people's voices, and how activism can help combat loneliness. Links to the recommendations and support on our website: www.scienceorfiction.co.uk
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In this special episode of The Science or Fiction Podcast, Dr Kathryn Bates and Afraa Din interview clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr. Eleanor Chatburn, to find out how we can better understand mental health and mental illness. What is normal and when do we need to seek help? How can we seek help? We ask these questions and more to find out
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In Episode 4, Dr. Kathryn Bates discusses the evidence behind this question with PhD Student, Jenna Spitzer. The climate crisis is termed as the biggest threat to the future of the planet. Scientists are warning that the time to take action is running out. Climate anxiety has been gaining more and more attention and we become more aware of the threat to the planet and people’s lives.
There are reports of increasing climate anxiety in young people, but is currently unclear what climate anxiety is, how it affects us and what we can do. Jenna Spitzer explains the evidence behind the headlines and suggests ways we can come together to support each other and take action.
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In Episode 3, Dr. Kathryn Bates discusses the evidence behind this question with Senior Researcher, Dr. Darren Dunning. Mindfulness training involves intentionally focusing attention on the present. It is recommended for a range of mental health issues and has recently been rolled out as a universal intervention in schools. However, a recent set of studies with thousands of young people has shown universal interventions - the same mindfulness training for everyone - are not effective. Dr. Dunning explains the evidence behind the headlines and, interestingly, remains hopeful about some use of mindfulness training.
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Dr. Kathryn Bates discusses the evidence behind this question with Professor of Eating Disorders, Ulrike Schmidt. Eating disorders most often occur in young people between 15-25 years old, but many young people struggle to come forward and access support. Prof Ulrike Schmidt explains the evidence behind how and why the prevalence of eating disorders might have increased in recent years, and how we can best support loved ones.
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Dr. Kathryn Bates discusses the evidence with PhD researcher, Luisa Fassi. The relationship between social media use and mental health is complex. Luisa explains that much of the controversy comes from the difficulty in trying to simplify such a broad question, and talks us through some of the research findings to explain the evidence.
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