Friday, January 28, 2011

Science on the radio

Gwyneth Williams, Controller of BBC Radio 4, has announced plans for a new regular programme to be broadcast at 9 am each Tuesday which will cover science & working scientists across the whole range, including engineering.

I am really looking forward to it. Radio 4 has struggled to find the right tone for programmes devoted to science, veering from the over-enthusiastic to patronising to hushed reverence. However Andrew Marr, who is not afraid to mix science into Start The Week & Bridget Kendall on World Service Forum have shown it can be done well for the intelligent listener without a science degree. Scientists have also provided some of the highlights of Desert Island Discs & over on Radio 5’s Up All Night Rhod Sharp does confident interviews with scientists who are up in the daylight in Australia or America.

I hope Jim Al-Khalili agrees to present it – apart from anything else he has a fine radio voice.