In this podcast, Professor Keith Bell, Scottish Power Professor of Smart Grids at the University of Strathclyde, discusses the changes needed in different interacting systems in order to get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions - including power generation, transport and buildings.

Professor Keith Bell - Systems approach to Net Zero

Sir Martin Sweeting, Founder and Executive Chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, discusses satellites, space technology, returning to the moon, the European Space Agency and the UK Government's recently published Space Strategy.

Sir Martin Sweeting - Space Technology and the UK Space Strategy

Science Advice in the UK was the title of a major new report published last month by the Foundation for Science and Technology and Transforming Evidence. In this podcast we discuss that report and what it tells us about the state of science advice in the UK at the moment with the authors of that report Anna Numa Hopkins, Senior Researcher at Transforming Evidence, Sarah Foxen, Knowledge Exchange Lead at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in the UK Parliament and Dr Kathryn Oliver, Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Anna Hopkins, Dr Sarah Foxen & Dr Kathryn Oliver - Science Advice in the UK

In this podcast we discuss the collaboration in R&D between China and the UK with Dr Karen Salt, deputy director for research, culture and environment at UKRI.

Dr Karen Salt - Trusted Research and Innovation

This is the third of a series of podcasts about semiconductors, in advance of an event being held by the Foundation for Science and Technology on 24 May on the UK Semiconductor Strategy. This week Ian Croston, General Manager of Coherent, discusses the company's recent scale-up, challenges facing the field and what he would like to see in the government's strategy.

Ian Croston - Coherent

After a summer break, our podcast is back!

To kick us off, we are joined by Dr Leslie Kanthan, co-founder and CEO of TurinTech, a London-based AI company. We are discussing all things AI, its rapid development, its potential to transform society, and how we might need to regulate it in the future.

Dr Leslie Kanthan - TurinTech and AI

This week we are discussing chemistry, the defence industry and things that go BANG! To provide an insight into this area is Professor Jackie Akhavan – Head of the Centre for Defence Chemistry at Cranfield University, and an expert is explosives chemistry.

Professor Jackie Akhavan - Defence Chemistry

In this episode, we chat to Dr Melanie Garson, who is Cyber Policy and Tech Geopolitics Lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, as well as an Associate Professor in International Conflict Resolution & International Security at University College London. We look at cyber politics, conflict in the digital age, equal access, Artificial Intelligence as well as the challenges around physical infrastructure required for key digital technology.

Dr Melanie Garson - Cyber policy and tech geopolitics

This week, we are discussing nuclear fusion in the UK – from a technological, commercial and policy perspective with Warrick Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Tokomak Energy.

Warrick Matthews, Tokomak Energy - Nuclear Fusion in the UK

In this episode, we talk to Dr Geoffrey Neale, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Composites and Advanced Materials Centre at Cranfield University.

Dr Neale tells us about his work with composite materials within the aerospace and automotive industry and how they will help us move towards our NetZero goals here in the UK.

Dr Geoffrey Neale - Not all plastics are created equal

In this episode we talk to journalist and political commentator, Loretta Napoleoni about technology, capitalism, Artificial Intelligence and the risks of technological innovation ‘boxed inside profitability’, particularly when it comes to sustainability and getting to NetZero.

Loretta Napoleoni - Technocapitalism: risks and trust

To discuss all things quantum, our guest is Professor Hatef Sadeghi, Professor of Computational Quantum Engineering at the University of Warwick, a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and also a former Foundation for Science and Technology Future Leader.

This is the first podcast in a short series to discuss quantum technologies, in advance of an event being organised by the Foundation for Science and Technology on 24th September at The University of Strathclyde.

Professor Hatef Sadeghi - All things Quantum

In this podcast, Professor Sir Peter Knight, Chair of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme Strategic Advisory Board, discusses quantum technologies in the UK - what they are, how close they are to market, and what support might be needed from the UK Government.

Professor Sir Peter Knight - Quantum Technologies

This week we talk to Charles Harris, PhD student at The University of Cambridge who is looking at marrying the lessons learnt by 2024 Chemistry Nobel Prize winners and their game-changing AI tool for predicting protein structures called AlphaFold with generative modelling and drug discovery. 

Charles Harris - Protein folding and machine learning

Ahead of COP29, Professor Nathalie Pettorelli from The Institute of Zoology at the Zoological Society London (ZSL) joins us to explore how climate change and global biodiversity loss intersect, how solutions can address both, and how policy decision makers can do more. 

Professor Nathalie Pettorelli - Why it’s key to connect the climate and biodiversity crises

This week we are discussing engagement between academics and policy professionals – and some of the recent programmes and activities in this area in the UK. Here to discuss that is Sarah Chaytor, Director of Research Strategy & Policy at University College London.

Sarah Chaytor - Connecting research and policy

This week we are chatting with Dr Jing Jill Zhao, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Construction Technology at UWE in Bristol. We discuss her research in a human-centred framework to deliver Net Zero in affordable housing. Also the progress and barriers to low carbon living in the UK. What more can be done to support the everyday person to achieve this?

Dr Jill Zhao - Progress and barriers to low carbon living in the UK

This week, our guest is Wendy Jarrett, Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research. She discusses how, when, and why animals are used in research in the UK, along with the regulations governing this practice. Additionally, she addresses the controversies surrounding animal research and its future.

Wendy Jarrett - Understanding animal testing in the UK

In this podcast, we are in conversation with Yann Sweeney, Senior Editor for Computing and Robotics at Nature. We discuss recent developments in AI, how the UK and other countries are pursuing the opportunities it brings, and current developments in the area of regulation.

Opportunities and regulation of AI - Yann Sweeney

In this episode we are discussing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in careers in science and technology. To explore some of the issues and where things could be improved are two members of the Foundation Future Leaders cohort of 2024. They are: Dr Lauren Thomas-Seale, Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham and Sam Islam, Systems Engineering Consultant at the Energy Systems Catapult.

What does equity and diversity look like in STEM? - Lauren Thomas-Seale and Sam Islam

This week we discuss social mobility and closing the gap on careers in science and technology for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. With me to explore some of the issues is James Adeleke (FRSA), founder of Generation Success and co-opted member of the Education Board at the City of London Corporation.

James Adeleke - Careers in STEM for young people, regardless of their background

This week we are discussing engineering biology, some of the standout innovations coming out of the sector, what the inclusion of it into the Government’s ‘Critical Technologies’ list means, and the role of intellectual property. 

With me to discuss all of that is Linda Bedenik, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and a 2025 Foundation Future Leader.

Linda Benedik - Engineering Biology as a Critical Technology

This week we are discussing women and girls in tech; barriers, progress, skills and schooling.  Here explore some of the issues is Dr Claire Thorne, co-chief executive of TechSheCan, one of Computer Weekly’s Top 15 Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2024, and more recently a council member of the The Foundation for Science and Technology.

Dr Claire Thorne- Women in Tech

This week, we explore the Space Technology Industry in Northern Ireland with Robert Hill, manager for the Northern Ireland Space Cluster and Chair of the Northern Ireland Space Special Interest Group. Robert is also Chair of Matrix, the Northern Ireland Science Industry panel, which in March 2025 published a report on the space industry in Northern Ireland.

Robert Hill - Northern Ireland's space technology industry

This week we are discussing astrophysics, how to better understand changing clouds, their impact on Earth's climate, making the most of open data, unconventional career paths and the power of ‘paying it forward.’

With me to discuss all of that is Dr Jacqueline Campbell, Co-Founder & Partner Scientist at asterisk labs, ARIA R&D Creator and Schmidt Science Fellow.

This is the second in a series of space-related podcast episodes leading up to our evening discussion on space missions and their impact on UK space science and industry, in April.

Dr Jacqueline Campbell - climate, clouds and space science

This week, we are exploring the interface of Government and the research ecosystem in the modern age. The Foundation’s Chief Executive and former Civil Servant, Gavin Costigan discusses this and the significance of knowledge brokers.

For this episode, we are delighted to welcome guest host, Keegan Schroeder, science and engineering fast streamer at DEFRA.

Gavin Costigan - working at the intersection of Government and the research ecosystem

In this podcast, Carsten Maple, Professor of cyber security engineering in WMG at the University of Warwick, discusses technological developments in facial recognition,and how these will develop over the coming years.

Facial recognition technologies - Professor Carsten Maple

Professor Gerry McKenna, Senior Vice-President, Royal Irish Academy, discusses R&D in Northern Ireland, including levelling up and the R&D roadmap, and EU Structural funds and implications of Brexit.

Professor Gerry McKenna - R&D in Northern Ireland

Paul Feldman, Chief Executive, JISC discusses online teaching and learning in higher education including how universities have adapted during the pandemic and the long term implications for higher education.

Paul Feldman - Online teaching in higher education

In this podcast Monika Jephcott, Chief Executive of Play Therapy UK discusses how play therapy support children’s mental health, the effect of the lockdown on children’s mental health and developing skills to support children going forward.

Monika Jephcott - Effect of lockdown on mental health of children and young people

The Foundation for Science and Technology podcast - exploring issues of science, technology and innovation with experts from government, parliament, industry and the research community.

Foundation for Science and Technology

Popular tracks