Brains Matter

Brains Matter is a science podcast that debuted in 2006. Published every couple of weeks, the podcast features interviews predominantly with scientists, covering a diverse range of topics. It is available via the Brains Matter website and through iTunes. Brains Matter is a member of the Science Podcasters Network,[1] and has been recommended by the Science Teacher's Association of Victoria[2] (Australia), and the Monash University's Monash Science Centre[3] for science students.

'Brains Matter'
Presentation
Hosted byThe Ordinary Guy
Genrescience / education
UpdatesBimonthly
Publication
Original release16 October 2006 (2006-10-16) – present
RatingsNon-explicit
Websitewww.brainsmatter.com

Host

The host's non de plume is The Ordinary Guy, and lives in Melbourne, Australia.[4] He has also appeared on other shows either as a host or in collaboration, such as the Mr Science Show and 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts.[5]

History

The show started in September 2006, initially as a "one-man" show, with the host explaining various scientific concepts. By episode 8, the show adopted an interview-style format featuring experts in their field.

Guests

Guests on the show are from a wide variety of backgrounds, and include high-profile academics: historians, physicists, astronomers, immunologists, computer scientists, philosophers, and those in charge of large science projects.[6]

Famous interviewees include Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, Professor John Lattanzio, a foremost expert in AGN stars in the International Astronomical Union, Dr Mark Boland, from the Australian Synchrotron and Deputy Director of the Australian Council for Accelerator Science, astronomer Pamela Gay,[7] author and TV personality Simon Singh, Astronomer and Young Australian of the Year Bryan Gaensler, Nobel Laureate Professor David Karoly and SETI Institute's Senior Astronomer, Seth Shostak, amongst others.

Elephants

Starting in 2008, Brains Matter has been running an ongoing series of interviews with Professor Roger Short, a world leading expert on elephants, on the topic of the plight of elephants, and in particular the Asian elephant.

One of the listeners was so inspired by the series of interviews, that he contacted Professor Short, and they are in the process of setting up a charity to save the Asian Elephant called "Never Forget Elephants". This is, to date, ongoing. They have both publicly thanked the Brains Matter podcast for inspiring this.[8]

National Science Week

The Brains Matter podcast has been an active participant in the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the International Year of Science 2009, and Australian National Science Week every year, including relevant shows and interviews for each, and for Australian National Science Week, live shows. In July 2010, Brains Matter was listed as a finalist in the National Science Week Microblogging category awards for the Big Blog Theory competition.[9]

References
  1. "Science Podcasters", accessed 10 July 2010
  2. "Science Teachers Association of Victoria", accessed 5 January 2010
  3. "Monash Science Centre", accessed 19 April 2010
  4. "Erk Pod Episode 72", accessed 10 July 2010
  5. "Other appearances", accessed 10 July 2010
  6. "Guests on Brains Matter", accessed 10 March 2010
  7. "Books and Ideas review Archived September 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", accessed 20 December 2009
  8. "Brains Matter episode 112", accessed 10 July 2010
  9. "Big Blog Theory Archived July 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine", accessed 18 July 2010
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