First deployed in 2004, the RAPID-AMOC 26°N array has revolutionised the understanding of the AMOC’s variability and documented its impacts on our long term climate and seasonal European weather. In the final episode of our mini-series focusing on the AMOC, Dr Zoe Jacobs is joined by NOC's Chief Scientist Professor Penny Holliday to discuss the arr…

Over the past few years there have been many reports of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) collapsing completely within the next few years... but could it actually happen? University of Liverpool's Dr Hemant Khatri and NOC's Dr Zoe Jacobs examine whether the scenes depicted in the movie 'The Day After Tomorrow' could actually be…

In today's recap episode, we discuss Book One of The Custom of the Country (that's chapters 1-10 if your book is not divided into books). This episode includes detailed discussion of the plot and characters introduced in this first section of the novel, so spoilers abound. We discuss our initial impressions of the unforgettable character that is Un…

Today’s episode is a special one! Twice a year, we choose a big bucket list classic to read together as a community. For every big book we read, Chelsey and Sara dust off their English teacher skills to break down plot, themes, style, and more in recurring recap podcast episodes. We have our Big Book Summer Read Along of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérable…

We’re taking it back to the classroom in today’s episode! Chelsey and Sara reflect on their experience with high school summer reading as both students and teachers: the good, the great, and the hot takes. While we aren’t assigning any reading in this episode, we are sharing 10 classics that would make for great summer reads at any age! For an enha…

Ocean models enable us to observe multiple ocean parameters and give us a more complete picture of the health of our ocean, including the health of the AMOC. NOC's Dr Tillys Petit and University of Oxford Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Margarita Markina join NOC's Dr Zoe Jacobs to discuss how and why we create models of the ocean and how it's steering …

Today, we’re wrapping up our spring season with Zadie Smith’s On Beauty, a theme-driven novel that recreates the social world of an elite liberal arts college, exploring issues through nuanced satire on race, class, and beauty. We dig into the stories of the Belsey and Kipp families and Smith’s use of the academic setting to discuss identity and so…

Get ready for your summer TBR to pile high as we share our most anticipated titles releasing this summer! Plus, each new release that we preview in today’s episode is perfectly paired with a backlist book or two, giving us plenty to read while waiting for pre-orders and library holds to come in. If you enjoy our recommendations on today’s episode, …

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is one of the most important systems to our climate and has been identified as a major climate tipping point... but how does it work? University of Oxford Research Student Ollie Tooth joins NOC's Dr Zoe Jacobs to give an introduction to AMOC, how it controls our climate and what it's future loo…

On today’s Modern Readers episode, we’re placing “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift in context with pieces of contemporary political satire. We'll explore how satire is being used today to comment on politics and social issues, and the power, or limits, of its influence. Throughout our discussion, we discuss the lasting legacy of Swift’s essay, …

In today’s episode, we’re discussing The Importance of Being Earnest by the ever-delightful Oscar Wilde. A classic example of British theater, this play is known for its biting social satire and brilliant comedic dialogue. Throughout our conversation, we dive into the play’s themes, discuss Wilde’s mastery of wordplay, and his ability to write char…

We're thrilled to welcome back Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, for a thought-provoking discussion on one of Shakespeare's darkest comedies, Measure for Measure. In this conversation, we'll dive deep into the play's timeless themes including punishment, gender, power, and politics. We discuss how these themes continue to resonate with mode…

If aesthetics, British aristocracy and nostalgia sounds like an appealing combination, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is the book for you. In today's episode, we talk through the key themes, relationships, Waugh's stated purpose for writing Brideshead, and we ask: is Brideshead Revisited a satire or a novel with satirical elements? Plus, toda…

The vital research marine science undertakes in our ocean is underpinned by intricate and detailed policy and global governance frameworks to enable sustainable use and support the protection of the ocean. NOC's Head of Marine Policy, Alan Evans, joins the podcast in our season finale to talk about the significance of policy and laws - including th…

Today, Chelsey and Sara share their most anticipated spring book releases paired with backlist selections. After listening today, your TBR will be filled with delightful fiction, thrilling mysteries, historical romance and literary books from favorite writers, all releasing between late February and May. As always, our go-to pairings will keep your…

In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Wharton in Winter with a conversation about The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. We focus on Undine and question whether she’s a signature unlikable heroine or an anti-hero. Our conversation also digs into the other dynamic characters, themes of motherhood, greed, marriage, business, and Edith’s incredib…

The release of carbon is one of the reasons why we are seeing temperature increases across our planet every year... but what role does the ocean play in absorbing it? Dr Socratis Loucaides, Head of Analytical Sciences at NOC, tells us all about the importance of monitoring carbon in our ocean and some of the exciting projects that are enabling this…

Reading The Custom of the Country this winter has felt like stepping into the most lush, dramatic, and marathon-worthy period piece–so today we’re sharing some of our favorite period dramas and pairing them with excellent books for cozy winter reading. We discuss the appeal of watching historical fiction versus reading it, the throughline from read…

Autosub Long Range, famously known as Boaty McBoatface, had a busy 2023 and is set to continue to be at the forefront of autonomous ocean exploration this year. ALR Operations Engineer Stewart Fairbairn joins the podcast to tell us about the ALR's recent successes and the exciting missions it will undertake in 2024 and beyond. Learn more about Boat…

Today we’re sharing five tips for “reading” your favorite (or least favorite) TV shows and movies. These close reading tricks will help you get more critical while you watch television, which we hope prompts more engaging discussions with your friends and family. We’re using The Buccaneers (Apple TV) as our main example in this episode, but you don…

The oceans are often a place where man-made structures and functions meet with the incredible marine ecosystem - but how do both these contribute to how loud it is beneath the surface? DHI's Frank Thomsen joins the podcast to tell us all about underwater sound and the impacts it has on ocean life. Learn more about Frank and DHI - https://www.dhigro…

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in society in recent years has given us a glimpse into the future - but how does it help us monitor and learn more about our ocean? Professor Sara Bernardini and Dr Fatma Jebri tell us more about how we currently use AI in NOC's research and how they see it progressing in the future. The latest story re…

It's time for our annual Superlative Soirée! (Okay, so we've never called it that before, but it fits, right?!) Today Chelsey and Sara share their favorite and least favorite books of 2023, plus everything in between. YOU helped us come up with some creative categories to cover in this official wrap-up episode, and we can't wait to hear what you th…

Dreaming of a white Christmas? In the ocean's twilight zone it's a reality every day! In our first Christmas special, Dr Chelsey Baker and Dr Zoe Jacobs learn all about what marine snow is and how important it is in feeding and maintaining the marine ecosystem. Go under the surface and discover more about the twilight zone - https://noc.ac.uk/under…

We’re wrapping up the 2023 season with a final Short Story Club, this time exploring a prime example of Postmodern fiction with Jorge Luis Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths.” Borges is often considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century and credited as an early writer of magical realism, lo real maravilloso. In today’…

Ever wonder what it’s like to attend a class at Novel Pairings University? We have a special treat for our listeners as we prepare for #WhartonInWinter and our readalong of Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country. Today on the main feed, we’re releasing the audio from our Patreon Class Gilded Age Literature: Entering Edith Wharton's World for everyon…

The temperature of our ocean has been increasing with records being broken across the world in 2023, but what is causing this? Dr Joel Hirschi and Dr Zoe Jacobs sit down to discuss why this might be happening, and how the 'El Niño' climate phenomenon may be playing a key part in these changes. Check out our under the surface page on marine heatwave…

Today, Chelsey and Sara explore TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf, investigating Woolf’s intention to put “real life” on the page, analyzing her prose and structure, discussing themes and characters, and contextualizing historical references. For a deeper reading and listening experience, check out our episode on A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN and our bonus…

How can everyone help towards fighting plastic pollution in the ocean across the world? Will Pearson, Co-Founder of Ocean Bottle, tells us the inspiration behind setting up the company, the extent of the damage caused by plastic pollution across the world, and how buying a reusable ocean bottle can make a real difference in coastal communities. Fin…

We’re kicking off our month of Virigina Woolf with an episode exploring Woolf’s dense and sprawling extended essay, “A Room of Own’s Own.” At just over one hundred pages, Woolf gives herself ample space on the page to explore and consider the issues that keep women from the forefront of the literature and what might be done to give them the creativ…

It's important for science and industry to work together to build knowledge and understanding of the world’s oceans to create a sustainable marine future. NOC Innovations' Phil Bishop and Subsea7's Liz James discuss the inception and successes of the BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance® and what it's future holds. Discover the BORA Blue Ocean Researc…

The ocean is intrinsically linked to societies across the world, which means issues relating to the ocean and our ecosystem also have an impact on land. Dr Katya Popova and Dr Zoe Jacobs discuss Socio-Oceanography, NOC's new cross-cutting theme that aims to promote integrated marine research inclusive of strong social science that is required for t…

If a dark and twisty stream of consciousness narrative in translation sounds like an intriguing read, Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat is perfect for you. Penned by the forefather of the Modernist movement in Iranian literature, this surrealist story blends Western influences, Iranian folklore, and psychology. In today’s episode, we discuss key themes an…

What is the difference between literary historical fiction and “woman with her back turned on the cover” historical fiction? In today’s episode of Modern Readers, we’re discussing the literary landscape and rise in popularity of the historical fiction genre. We explore the definition of historical fiction, significant time periods, craft vs. plot, …

Everyone loves a photo of marine life in its natural habitat - but how much work goes into capturing beautiful animals and life under the sea? Filmmaker and photographer Lewis Jefferies tells us how it's done plus some incredible stories of his adventures taking that perfect photo underwater. Check out some of Lewis' incredible work on his website …

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, first published in The New Yorker in 1948, feels relevant in every decade. Whether it’s discussed in the high school classroom or revisited in adulthood, this shocking story leaves a mark. We're back with another Short Story Club episode on Novel Pairings in which we take a closer look at Jackson’s haunting text, co…

Expeditions on research ships take place all over the world and form a key part of scientific research. Dr Eleanor Darlington joins Dr Zoe Jacobs to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into planning an expedition including unexpected challenges and tricky timeframes. Learn more about our Research Ships, the National Marine Equipment Pool …

Let’s discuss one of our most requested classics! Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is an eerie gothic novel with elements of mystery, fairy tale, and domestic suspense–and you’ve been asking for us to cover it on the show for years. In today’s episode, we speculate on why this classic remains so popular today, discuss the magic of reading a classic jus…

Autonomous vehicles are some of the most vital pieces of equipment scientists and researchers use to understand more about our ocean. Dr Zoe Jacobs gets the perspective of an engineer from Shivan Ramdhanie as they run through the process of developing, testing and commissioning a vehicle. Find out more about NOC's newest autonomous vehicle, AH-1, h…

Get ready for your TBR pile to actually topple over as we discuss a truly abundant season of publishing and books. The fall publishing calendar has a lot of hype-worthy titles, and in today’s episode you’ll hear our pared down lists (it was a struggle!) of excellent fall fiction due to hit shelves soon. This includes big books from BIG authors, int…

You may have heard us mention the term “public scholarship” when talking about the mission of our podcast and our community of readers here at Novel Pairings. But what exactly is public scholarship, and how does it apply to us as lifelong learners? Today in our first Modern Readers episode, we’re sitting down to define public scholarship, share how…

Corals aren't just a beautiful eye-catching feature of the ocean, they provide key indicators of how healthy our ocean is. Dr Sara Fowell and Dr Zoe Jacobs talks how climate change is affecting corals, the increasing acidity of the ocean plus some incredible scuba diving stories - including a rather unfortunate encounter with a manta ray! Learn mor…

Today we're sharing our (sometimes controversial) opinions about some of the buzziest books of LAST summer. We love it when our reading overlaps off the podcast and gives us a chance to come together for some off-the-cuff book conversation. Of the slew of buzzy books that released in Summer 2022, there were a handful both of us somehow made time to…

You've likely experienced a heatwave on land - but did you know heatwaves can occur in the ocean too? Dr Jules Kajtar joins Dr Zoe Jacobs to discuss how marine heatwaves can negatively impact the marine environment on which we depend and what NOC is doing to tackle them. Go under the surface to learn more about marine heatwaves - https://noc.ac.uk/…

Today, we’re sharing six classic titles from the 1920s that make excellent additions to your late summer or early fall reading stack, whether you’re reading them for the first time or returning with fresh eyes. The 1920s is a time period we both love to read and explore. In this mini TBR-toppler episode, you’ll have your picks from dense and deligh…

There are many ways to experience the ocean - but none quite as incredible as sailing around the world! British sailing royalty Dee Caffari MBE and Conrad Humphreys join the podcast for a bumper episode where they talk about their incredible achievements, some standout moments from their voyages plus the changes to the ocean they've witnessed first…

It’s the last stretch of our Slow Down Summer with The Odyssey, and for this week’s discussion, we’re sharing final thoughts on The Odyssey’s staying power and impact on modern literature. We dive into talking about what we noticed in our full read-though of Emily Wilson’s translation. We also share themes to consider when reading, thoughts on read…

It's an ECO Magazine takeover! To accompany their Deep Dive series, Haley McQueen is joined by Dr Veerle Huvenne to talk all about how the seafloor is mapped and some of the marine management methods used to monitor deep-sea habitats including the use of autonomous technology. Learn more about the efforts to map the seafloor here: https://noc.ac.uk…

Do you love the feeling of happening upon a subtle reference to a great literary work in the midst of your current read? Or do you feel like you’re on the outside when books allude to works you haven’t read? In today’s episode, we’re getting extra nerdy and breaking down all things literary allusions. For our discussion, we share what a literary al…

It's an ECO Magazine takeover! To accompany their Deep Dive series, Haley McQueen is joined by Dr Nathan Briggs to introduce us to the Argo program and how the huge network of deployed robotic floats are helping scientists collect large amounts of ocean data. Find out more about NOC's involvement in the Argo program: https://noc.ac.uk/news/uks-new-…