Physicist, broadcaster and Crick Scholar Professor Brian Cox hosts a new science podcast series where a panel of leading experts tackle the biggest issues facing society today.
A Question of Science is produced by BBC Studios for the Francis Crick Institute. Over 12 episodes, Brian Cox will guide discussions with scientists, writers and thinkers in front of a live audience, putting public curiosity at the centre of the debate.
Each programme takes on a single question with profound global implications. Topics range from cancer cures and the impact of artificial intelligence to climate survival and the science of ageing.
The series begins with “Could we live forever?”, exploring breakthroughs in medicine and biology that could help people live longer and healthier lives.
Guest panellists include Jeanette Winterson, Rory Cellan-Jones, Anil Seth, Helen Sharman, Adam Rutherford, Paul Nurse, George Monbiot, Giles Yeo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed and Lauren Mahon.
Conversations are recorded close to the Crick’s working laboratories, creating a direct link between research and discussion.
Charlie Swanton, the Crick’s Deputy Clinical Director, joined the panel on cancer research. He said: “Taking part in the panel on cancer was a fascinating and motivating experience.
“We discussed so much, from whether we’ll ever have a universal cure, to recognising the valuable expertise of people living with cancer. However listeners arrive at these episodes, I hope that these topics will resonate with people and, importantly, spark further conversations.”
Brian Cox, who joined the Crick this year as a Scholar, explained his motivation for the series: “Gone are the days when science can afford to sit in isolation without being more widely discussed.
“New discoveries have an impact on all of us, so it’s important that they are communicated clearly with the public, who can then get involved in debating outcomes and priorities.
“This is what the show is all about, getting real questions from the audience and putting them to the real experts who have very often spent a lifetime trying to find the answers.”
A Question of Science will be released weekly from 17 September on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music and via the Crick website.
