I made this 15 minute radio package for "Our Changing World", a science show on Radio NZ National back in 2008. It's about nanoparticles - tiny chunks of matter as small as a millionth the size of a grain of sand. You may not be aware but nanoparticles are already used in toothpaste, sunscreen, paint and many other consumer products. Most nanoparticles seem harmless but some are highly toxic and it's very hard to tell whether a new nanoparticle will be safe unless it's rigorously tested. But, as I discovered here the law didn't require companies to test new nano-particles before using them in consumer products. Listen to the package to hear more...

Toxic nanoparticles from RNZ programme

An Introduction to the Ethics of Nanotechnology: I first heard about nanotechnology working as a science writer for the MacDiarmid Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials in NZ in 2004. It seemed innocent enough - just extremely small science - so it was a shock to find it at the centre of a controversy. There are fears that, if not handled with care, nanotechnology could become 'the next GM!'

In September 2007 I attended 'The second International Course on the Public Communication and Applied Ethics of Nanotechnology' - a week-long course exploring ethical and safety issues in nanotechnology with top scientists, ethicists, environmentalists, journalists, policy analysts and business people. 

Grey Goo, Nanobots...An Introduction to the Ethics of Nanotechnology

In 2007 I rode across Scotland with two friends through rain and rain and more rain following in the footsteps of St Aiden, the monk who travelled from the tiny Scottish Island of Iona to the East Coast of England bringing Christianity with him as he went. Challenged by a bad cold and lots of mountains I did my best to share my story and inspiration along the way.


Cycle Pilgrimage - a two wheeled exploration of Celtic Christianity

This package explores the science and practice of music therapy and tells the story of an autistic girl who was helped to speak for the first time by her music therapist. 
This was my first ever radio package, made in 2006 when I was falling in love with Radio. It was an assignment for my Masters in Science Communication at Imperial College London where I was taught by Gareth Mitchell, the presenter of the BBC World Service show 'Digital Planet' - otherwise known as 'the most enthusiastic man on radio'.
It was a very inspiring project and I was thrilled to be short-listed for the BBC ABSW New Voice Award for the package. 


The Healing Power of Music

This ten minute podcast is a celebration of 'Art in Action'; a massive arts and crafts festival held in the grounds of a massive stately home in the English countryside. I made it for BBC Radio Oxford in 2007.

Every year a makeshift city of tents springs out of the Oxfordshire fields. Hundreds of artists and craftspeople from glassblowers to blacksmiths set up in workshops under canvas or in the open air. Thousands of visitors come to watch their artworks take form and to meet the artists.

In this podcast I wander through the tents absorbing the atmosphere and meeting artists and I speak to the organiser about the inspiration behind the event. I was so inspired by the experience that I got a job in the Art in Action office the next year. For more information see http://www.artinaction.org.uk/






Art In Action 30yr Anniversary Special

I'm a 'Science Communicator' by profession, which means I translate the incomprehensible murmurings of scientists into language for normal people.  

I studied Physics and Science Communication at uni and have been writing and making podcasts about science and other stuff for about 7 years. Last year I won the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize in New Zealand, which has given me the incredible opportunity to spend a couple of years developing my skills. Among other things I'm using the time to work on a crazy new podcast series called "The Nano-Adventures of Elf and Loo" with a very enthusiastic physicist called Elf.

I think radio is a delicious medium.

There's something immediate and personal about it - the fact that you can slip a microphone in to a conversation almost without the person noticing means you can get a really honest unself-conscious response.

I love talking to people. When you hit on something they love they get a sparkle in their eyes that you can flow. The conversation comes alive and something interesting, real and often funny comes out. I'm always looking for ways to induce these unself-conscious moments and capture them on tape. 

I also love editing - mixing sounds, music and voices to create sound-scapes that take you to another place and evoke an emersive atmosphere and emotion. 

 



Elizabeth Connor

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