Best University of Oxford Chemistry Department Podcasts (2024)

1
The Early Career Perspective 55:38

2d ago55:38

55:38

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Manami and Charlie are joined by Dr Jenny Maunder, a physical chemistry-based lecturer at the University of Durham. As a senior demonstrator, Jenny provides a unique perspective on the impact of menstrual health on both students and staff. The trio discuss the importance of training for demonstrators, focusing…

1
Perimenopause 37:33

4d ago37:33

37:33

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Josie and Felicity are joined by Kelly Britton, a DPhil student in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford, and Dr Sarah Rawe, a lecturer in chemistry at the Technological University Dublin. Listen as they discuss the realities of experiencing perimenopause while also dealing with the pressures of acad…

1
Research and Innovation 36:18

11d ago36:18

36:18

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Sofia and Lottie are joined by Chiara Cocco, a postdoctoral research associate at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus at Heriot-Watt University, to discuss the research that's being undertaken by initiatives like the EDI Caucus to investigate the impact of menstrual health in research and innovation. …

1
The Academic Perspective 43:24

18d ago43:24

43:24

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Manami and Charlie are joined by Dr. Jenny Burnham, a chemistry teaching specialist at the University of Sheffield, about the challenges women face in balancing their reproductive health and a career in academia. The conversation offers a candid look at the realities of menstrual health, pregnancy, childbirth,…

1
Stigma and Support 21:37

1M ago21:37

21:37

In this episode of Periodically, hosts Felicity and Josie engage in an enlightening discussion with guests Liv and Lauren from the SASHA Society (Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault), about the work that SASHA does and how they campaign for change at the University of Leeds. Liv and Lauren, also share their personal experiences of living…

1
Endometriosis 25:49

1M ago25:49

25:49

Endometriosis is a chronic condition which affects one in ten people with periods in the UK. However, endometriosis is notably difficult to diagnose, taking an average of eight years from the onset of symptoms according to Endometriosis UK and with patients often being misdiagnosed or dismissed by doctors while they continue to struggle with the sy…

1
Periodically Season Two Trailer 0:26

2M ago0:26

0:26

Periodically, the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry, is back for Season Two! In this season, we want to talk more about how periods can sometimes just get in the bloody way and we'll be joined by guests who have experiences including with Endometriosis, Menopause, Perimenopause and Pregnancy. Periodically is created with thanks t…

1
General Workload 14:08

12M ago14:08

14:08

Periods are different for everyone and can significantly affect the daily lives of the people who have them. They can be irregular, debilitating, cause severe depression and many other things and the inflexible nature of a chemistry degree can make this hard to deal with. Understanding and creating an open conversation is vital for decreasing stigm…

1
Tutorials 28:06

12M ago28:06

28:06

Tutorials are the main academic event of the week, the culmination of most of the week's work. It is the point where most students have their understanding of a topic click so any hindrance due to periods can have a huge effect on student's learning. Hannah Bruce, a former undergraduate chemist wrote her dissertation on the gendered experiences of …

1
Accessibility 12:43

12M ago12:43

12:43

A study by Plan International UK in 2018 found that 42% of girls use makeshift period products from socks, toilet paper, and newspaper because they could not afford period products. This was supported by a YouGov survey in 2022, which found that one in eight adults with periods say they are likely to be unable to afford period products within the n…

1
The Pill 14:44

1y ago14:44

14:44

Although the pill is widely regarded as a contraceptive, with an estimated 70% of menstruators in Britain having used the pill at some stage in their lives, a study suggests that 31% of users take the pill as a method of treating period pain and 28% to regulate their menstrual cycle. As such, when discussing the effects that periods have on. the un…

1
Exams 16:24

1y ago16:24

16:24

When periods and exams overlap, students face pain whilst taking the exams, issues with mental health and even in some cases episodes of fainting, potentially compromising their exam results. With 50% of the cohort being affected, could more consideration by the exam board improve the exam experience? Join Manami, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find ou…

1
Labs 19:59

1y ago19:59

19:59

In this week's episode, we're talking about all things labs! Standing at a fume hood all day can be exhausting for anyone, but what about when you get your period? Join Lottie, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more! (0:51) Introduction (1:35) Time Pressures in Labs (5:33) Periods and Productivity (10:12) Communicating Challenges (13:32) Availabi…

1
Periodically: The Oxford Chemistry Period Podcast Trailer 0:36

1y ago0:36

0:36

Periodically, the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry! Each week, over this series of six episodes, we here at the University of Oxford will be taking a deep-dive into just how periods have affected us in tutorials, exams, labs and just generally studying at undergrad. We want to talk about how periods can sometimes just get in the…

1
Conclusion: How Chemistry Research Impacts Human Health 2:06

11y ago2:06

2:06

Wrapping up this series on human health, Dr Emily Flashman talks about her work studying the mechanisms by which our bodies respond to low levels of oxygen. She discusses why she finds the interface of chemistry and human health an exciting and rewarding area of research.By Emily Flashman

1
Practical Uses of NMR: Exploring Enzymes to Fight Disease 4:26

11y ago4:26

4:26

The mutant enzymes that cause disease in our bodies can be combated by chemical inhibitors if we understand how these molecules are interacting. Dr Ivanhoe Leung shows how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) can be used to study enzymes in three critical ways.By Ivanhoe Leung

1
Lasers, Cell Membranes, and the Basis of Life 4:53

11y ago4:53

4:53

Being a chemist doesn't have to mean giving up on biology and physics. Dr Mark Wallace and postdoc Dr Matt Baker use lasers, fluorescent tagging, and other interdisciplinary techniques to study cell membrane interactions and better understand their function in infection and disease.By Mark Wallace, Matt Baker

1
Synthesizing Anti-Cancer Drugs from Nature 6:59

11y ago6:59

6:59

Chemicals found in nature can have incredibly useful functionality, including anti-malarial and anti-cancer properties. However, they are usually found in small amounts. Chris Jones, a DPhil student in the Donohoe Group, is synthesizing naturally occurring molecules in the lab so they can be used as drugs on a larger scale.…

1
3D Printing and The Structure of Proteins 8:43

11y ago8:43

8:43

Using 3D printed molecules, Rok Sekirnik, a DPhil student in the emerging field of chemical biology, shows how protein structures can be determined in some of the Department's most distinctive looking labs.By Rok Sekirnik

1
Epigenetics and New Anti-Cancer Treatments 8:10

11y ago8:10

8:10

At the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine, Cyrille Thinnes, a DPhil student in the Schofield Group, shares his research into the next generation of anti-cancer treatments.By Cyrille Thinnes

1
Introduction: How Chemistry Research Impacts Human Health 2:04

11y ago2:04

2:04

To truly understand disease, we need to understand the underlying chemical processes that direct human biology. Dr Emily Flashman introduces some of the research in the Department of Chemistry that will help improve our health in future.By Emily Flashman

1
Conclusion: Inspired by Nature 1:53

11y ago1:53

1:53

The current energy crisis is a time of intense challenges but also of opportunities for fantastic science and innovative ideas. Chemists, along with partners in other scientific disciplines, in policy, in industry, in advocacy, and beyond, all have a crucial role to play. Do you have any bright ideas?…

1
Artificial Photosynthesis - From Photon to Fuel 12:30

11y ago12:30

12:30

Andrea Bachmeier, a DPhil student in the Armstrong Group, is helping to create a fully integrated artificial photosynthesis (APS) system which could be much more efficient at turning sunlight into fuel than living systems.By Andreas Bachmeier

1
Photosynthesis in Nature 4:00

11y ago4:00

4:00

Dr Alison Foster, a former chemist and Senior Curator at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden explains the principals of natural photosynthesis that the Armstrong Group is trying to mimic in the lab.By Alison Foster

1
Enzymes as Fuel Producers 4:34

11y ago4:34

4:34

Growing energy demand worldwide is a crucial challenge for chemists. Suzannah Hexter, Armstrong Group, shows how, with the help of enzymes, the principles of photosynthesis may be artificially exploited and improved to provide a clean energy resource.By Suzannah Hexter

1
Introduction to Solar Fuels 2:44

11y ago2:44

2:44

In an 'Oxford tutorial' style podcast, Professor Fraser Armstrong introduces the concept of artificial photosynthesis: coupling a light harvesting material with a fuel producer in order to generate storable energy from sunlight.By Fraser Armstrong

1
Conclusion: Strange Substances and Structures 10:27

11y ago10:27

10:27

Imagine being able to transform an insulating material into an electrical conductor just by touching it with a magnet. Materials chemist Dr Andrew Goodwin is using the concepts of order and disorder to design new materials with amazing functionality that could transform our future in ways limited only by our imagination.…

1
Crystals, Hydrothermal Bombs, and the Study of Strange Mechanical Properties 10:51

11y ago10:51

10:51

Andrew Cairns and Ines Collings, DPhil students in the Goodwin Group, explain how they make single crystals in the lab and study their unusual properties. By showing how to break the rules governing 'normal' materials, this research could lead to the design of brand new and useful substances in future.…

1
Supercapacitors, Ionic Liquids, and Implications for Sustainable Energy 6:04

11y ago6:04

6:04

From smart phones to electric cars, batteries and energy storage devices are vital. Dr Nico Cousens is studying ionic liquid supercapacitors - a next generation technology with the potential to transform energy storage and power the cars of the future.By Nico Cousens

1
Oxford at Said: A human genome in minutes and what it will mean to you 50:00

11y ago50:00

50:00

Oxford Nanopore is a British company, spun out of the University of Oxford in 2005 and founded on the science of Prof Hagan Bayley. It is developing new technology that has the potential to improve greatly the speed and cost of DNA sequencing.By Hagan Bayley