Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Physics is full of captivating stories, from ongoing endeavours to explain the cosmos to ingenious innovations that shape the world around us. In the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester talks to the people behind some of the most intriguing and inspiring scientific stories. Listen to the podcast to hear from a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, artists and other commentators. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out the Physics World Weekly podcast, a science-news podcast presented by our award-winning science journalists.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Quantum science history, technology and careers • AI in physics and computing ethics • Space exploration and astronomy • Particle physics and cosmology debates • Geophysics, materials, energy sustainability • Art, music, film storytelling • Inclusion, community, wellbeing in STEMThis podcast presents long-form conversations and reported features that use physics as a lens for understanding both the natural world and the societies that do science. Across its episodes, the host interviews working researchers, engineers, historians, artists, writers and science communicators, often focusing on the human stories behind discoveries, instruments and emerging technologies.
A major strand is contemporary quantum science: listeners hear about the history of quantum theory and the people who shaped it, along with current research directions in quantum computing, sensing and communications and the growth of a quantum workforce. These discussions frequently broaden into questions of interpretation, scientific revolutions and the cultural afterlife of quantum ideas, including how quantum concepts inspire visual art, music, literature and performance.
The podcast also covers other frontiers in physics and space science, including cosmology debates, gravitational-wave discoveries, radio astronomy, and major missions and milestones in space exploration. Alongside astrophysics, there is attention to Earth and planetary processes, from volcanic materials that record eruption histories to the physics of crowds and collective motion.
Technology, computing and the future of research are recurring themes. Episodes examine artificial intelligence in physics, concerns about “black box” models and data integrity, and the energy and environmental costs of large-scale computation. Related topics include the limits of semiconductor scaling, fusion energy development, battery sustainability, and new approaches to renewable power.
Another consistent focus is the relationship between physics, ethics and public life: how large institutions communicate high-profile results, how science intersects with policy and funding, and how global challenges such as climate, inequality and sustainability shape research priorities. The podcast also foregrounds inclusion and wellbeing in the scientific community, with discussions of mentorship, under-representation, disability access, identity, mental health and career pathways.
