That's What I Call Science!

Hosted by That’s What I Call Science

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Episodes

326

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

National award-winning radio show and podcast bringing a fresh new perspective on the issues that matter to you from the heart of Tasmania. We cover all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) from medical marijuana to science behind mental health issues, we feature expert guests and get to the guts of the issue.

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60 recent

June 14, 2026Episode 32827 min

Episode 328: The Geology Behind Copper

Copper is all around us, from the wires in our homes to the technologies powering the transition to renewable energy. But where does it actually come from, and how do we find it?In this episode, Dr Hannah Moore is joined by geologist Dr Yamila Cajal to explore the fascinating science behind copper. From her early career in mining and exploration in Chile to her current research at UTAS, Yamila shares what it’s really like to work as a geologist and how scientists uncover valuable resources hidden deep beneath our feet.Together, they dive into how copper forms, why it’s considered a critical mineral, and the important role geology plays in building a more sustainable future.Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)

June 7, 2026Episode 32727 min

Episode 327: Digging into the groundwater beneath our feet

What is a hydrogeologist, why is groundwater important, and how can mine sites both contribute to and impact our hidden water sources? In this episode, Dr Elise Tuuri is joined by the recently conferred Dr Birte Moser, a hydrogeologist at Flinders University's National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre. Birte takes us into the hidden world of groundwater, from the surprising hydraulic evolution of pit lakes after mine closure, to banking surplus water underground in the Murray–Darling Basin as a resource to utilise in periods of drought. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Elise Tuuri (Insta: @elisetuuri_)Production: Dr Simin SalarpourMedia & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho

May 31, 2026Episode 32627 min

Episode 326: A Foray into Forensic Anthropology

Welcome back to another episode in sunny Oxford! While Olly was in the UK, she visited St John’s College at the University of Oxford. There, she sat down with the College President, Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome, to hear about Sue’s career in forensic anthropology and what it is like working as a scientist when your data can be used in the courtroom. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Production: Richard Siu (Insta: richard.siu.photography)Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun)Photography Credit: Robert Taylor

May 24, 2026Episode 32527 min

Episode 325: Avian influenza in Antarctica

This week, Dr Jane Younger returns to the TWICS mic to tell Olly about her recent adventures down south to Antarctica.Unfortunately, the trip involved seeing staggering rates of avian influenza, affecting multiple species of seabirds as well as seals. Jane talked Olly through her experiences, as well as the science conducted to help understand what’s happening.A bonus fact about the episode: despite the episode being about the most southern continent in the world, Jane and Olly recorded the episode when they crossed paths in the northern hemisphere. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Production: Dr Simin SalarpourMedia & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)

May 17, 2026Episode 32427 min

Episode 324: Saving lives, one donor at a time

In this episode of That's What I Call Science, Dr. Elise Tuuri sits down with Dr. Andrew Turner, Medical Director of DonateLife Tasmania, to explore the life-saving world of organ and tissue donation. Tasmania is leading the nation in donation rates, with 25 donors saving the lives of 62 Australians in 2025 alone, and Dr. Turner unpacks what is driving that culture of generosity. From the science and logistics of donation to the deeply human connections between donors' families, recipients, and hospital staff, this episode explores what it really means to say yes to donation. We discuss the importance of registering as a donor, why telling your family your wishes matters more than you might think, and how medical teams support families through one of the hardest moments of their lives. Whether you've already registered or have never thought about it, this episode might just inspire you to have that conversation.Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr. Elise Tuuri (Insta: @elisetuuri_)Production: Richard Siu (Insta: richard.siu.photography)Media & Promotion: Dr. Elise Tuuri

May 10, 2026Episode 32327 min

Episode 323: Pint of Science

With Pint of Science just around the corner, we’re joined by three of the presenters from Hobart’s 2026 event, “From Inner Workings to Icy Worlds” at Shambles Brewery.First, sea ice researcher Dr Johannes Lohse takes us to the Arctic and Antarctic to explore how scientists study sea ice and why it matters for our changing climate.Next, postdoctoral researcher Dr Vimarsha Kodithuwakku discusses how subtle changes in blood vessels during childhood may help detect cardiovascular disease risk earlier in life.Finally, PhD candidate Rachel Breslin dives into Tasmania’s sand flathead populations, exploring how fishing pressure and environmental change may be shaping fish biology over time.Join us for a fascinating journey from icy poles to human hearts and underwater worlds, all ahead of Hobart’s Pint of Science festival.Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)Production: Dr Hannah Moore Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

May 3, 202627 min

Episode 322: Fungi of the Forest

Henna Tyyskä is a PhD student in Catalonia, Spain studying how historical land-use affects fungi under the forest floor.Inspired to be a scientist after reading Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey, Henna grew up in Finland, hanging out by lakes & collecting berries and mushrooms in the forest. Before her current position Henna developed a taxonomic key to identify plants from a group that lives in Borneo and worked as an environmental consultant for an engineering company in Scotland.Hear about Henna’s fascinating past and current roles and the combination of history, genetics, fieldwork and labwork that underpins her PhD, including the fundamental question that guides the selection of her field sites; 'would I put my cows here?’Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Kate Johnson (@kateplantphys.bsky.social)Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

April 26, 2026Episode 32127 min

Episode 321: Electrics, Leaves and Outer-Space

From Catalonia, PhD student Marc Busuldu grew up fascinated by the stars. Internships across Spain led him to a position at CREAF and to his current PhD on how characterising the electrical signal of leaves can help us to better understand and detect drought in forests through satellite imaging. Marc’s project combines mathematics, electrics and biology reflecting his varied interests which span plants, philosophy and theatre. Join Dr Kate Johnson to hear about Marc’s research and why it matters in a changing climate, his reflections on the barriers to a scientific career and advice to others who may wish to pursue scientific research.Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Kate Johnson (@kateplantphys.bsky.social)Production: Richard Siu (Insta: @richard.siu.photography)Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho

April 19, 2026Episode 32027 min

Episode 320: Oceans, climate, and the weather

From the posters at the 2026 AMOS conference, we bring you a podcast episode with the latest science on oceans, the climate and weather! We hear from a range of experts who tell us about the science laid out on their data-filled posters, displayed in a crowded conference room of scientists. We learn about all things climate and weather; from climate change communication in Australia to flood modelling in New Zealand to climate extremes in Antarctica. Join us for the newest poster session episode! Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Co-Host: Tegan Clark (scientist.tegan)Production: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

April 12, 2026Episode 31927 min

Episode 319: Science in the Park 2025

In this episode, Olly and Georgia journey to the Tasmanian ‘Science in the Park’ event held in late 2025. Science in the Park is a hands-on event where science comes alive in all its forms! Despite a day of rain, wind, and sunshine, visitors of all ages explored everything from AI and robots to Tasmanian fish identification and live dissections, flying drones, and the fascinating world of brains and neuroscience. We also learned about edible plants in the Tasmanian environment and even making a pH indicator from purple cabbage. This episode celebrates curiosity, discovery, and the joy of experiencing science in action, rain or shine! Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Co-Host: Georgia StewartProduction: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Media & Promotion: Katya Bandow (@katyabandow)