That's What I Call Science!

From the office to the field, STEMM can be pretty spooky! Join us around the theoretical campfire for some scary tales to celebrate Halloween. From the depths of galleries at night to experiments that just don’t work and voices in the dark on remote islands, Emma Hamasaki, Dr Olly Dove and Dr Kate Johnson talk mishaps and scary things, big and small. 

Whether you’re looking for some fun fieldwork tales, or to delve deeper into the perils of the workplace, from mistakes to burnout and toxic culture, this episode has it all. Come along with us as...

Happy birthday, Beaker Street! Hobart’s science festival turned ten years old this year, and Olly was back at its Roving Scientist Bar to hear from some of the scientists that make the festival special. 

Tune in to hear from scientists from across Australia, including a physicist, an ecologist, and maybe even a forensic scientist or two. Plus, we have two very special guests to start this week’s episode: the best volunteer duo from across the whole festival!

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team...

Welcome to this year’s episode with the Inspiring Women in STEMM fellows! 

Firstly, we hear from Roberta Amoah, a PhD candidate in the School of Nursing at the University of Tasmania, with a background in midwifery and community health. Up next is Liqun Guan, an architecture graduate specialising in healthy, energy-efficient built environments. And, last on the mic, we have Kimiya Padidar, a PhD candidate at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, with a background in midwifery and human genetics. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whol...

Young Tasmanians are taking over the microphones! Created as part of the University of Tasmania-led Young Tassie Climate Change-Makers Research Project, this episode gives Echo, Lily and Amanda the chance to ask the questions that matter to them. They speak with Luke Cripps from Alluvium Water Cremations about a lower-carbon alternative to flame cremation, and with forest ecologist and science-tour guide Daniel Bar-Ness from Giant Tree Expeditions about helping people connect with nature. Together, they explore environmentally responsible business, climate education, and how young people can help shape Tasmania’s future.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

...

Curiosity killed the cat. Or did it? Turns out the rumours aren’t true, and the cat is off making incredible scientific discoveries. 

This week, Dr Jennifer Payne from the Curiosity Factory shares with Olly her passion for being curious and why she started STEMpals: the program connecting school children with scientists across the country. 

Beyond science outreach stories, Jennifer also shares her experiences in antimicrobial resistance, and tackling challenges of preventing and treating deadly diseases. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole...

What does it take to help people connect with the ocean?

In this episode of That's What I Call Science, we chat with Dekota Mark, marine science communicator, educator, fellow podcaster, and Master of Marine and Antarctic Science graduate at the University of Tasmania.

From founding the podcast Let's Dive In - Ocean Conversations to facilitating STEM programs with schools, collaborating with the Mawson's Huts Foundation, and using creative initiatives like Art for the Sea to engage young people, Dekota has explored countless ways to make marine science accessible and meaningful.

We discuss...

This week kicks off our double bill on the Big Fish card game! You may remember our first guest, Matt Testoni, from Episode 185. Matt’s back to tell us all about the Big Fish card game: a locally-made game aiming to engage the community in the conversation about sustainable fishing. 

Matt talks with Ella and Olly about what he’s been up to since he was last on TWICS, the creation of Big Fish, and what the process has been like to undertake such a huge endeavour.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you t...

Did you know musicking (the act of connecting to music) lights up more parts of the brain than any other activity that modern scientific studies have found so far?

So how can music transform from a catchy tune to therapy? In this episode Anna Abela chats with Zach Von Bertouch from Sonic Sibilings Music Therapy. Zach explains what musical therapy is and how music can affect the brain. Alongside his lived experience as a musical therapist working across palliative care, aged care, and individual sessions. 🎶

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the...

What does the future of geoscience education look like? Hannah heads to Adelaide for GeoSciEd X, the 10th International Conference on Geoscience Education, to meet some of the people working to inspire the next generation of earth scientists. We hear from educators, researchers and outreach leaders about the organisations and initiatives they represent, what they are presenting and showcasing at the conference, and what they are most excited about. From seismometers and magnetometers in schools to games, digital tools and hands-on earth science, discover some of the creative ways people are bringing geoscience to life. 

In this week’s episode of That’s What I Call Science, we are joined by science communication expert, Caitlin McLeod. We explore Caitlin's journey into science communication and the experiences that shaped her career. From delivering hands-on workshops to some of Western Australia's most remote schools with Scitech, to travelling the country as a Questacon Presenter, freelance science writing, and her current role in community engagement at Tasmania's medical research institute, Caitlin has spent years helping people connect with science in meaningful ways.

We discuss what makes science communication effective, the importance of equity and inclusion in e...

What happens when animals spend thousands of years adapting to life in complete darkness?

This week on That's What I Call Science, Dr Olly Dove and Dr Hannah Moore are joined by Josh Greenhill, a recent Honours graduate from the University of Tasmania and a Young Tassie Scientist.

As part of our special Young Tassie Scientists mini-series, Josh takes us into the fascinating world of Tasmania's cave ecosystems and introduces us to one of the state's most unusual creatures: the Tasmanian mountain shrimp, or Anaspides. We explore how these ancient animals have adapted to life...

What happens when a black hole launches a jet travelling close to the speed of light? And how can scientists study events happening millions of light years away?

This week we are joined by Sophie Young, a PhD candidate in astrophysics at the University of Tasmania and a Young Tassie Scientist. This episode is part of our special Young Tassie Scientists mini-series, highlighting emerging researchers who are sharing their passion for science with students and communities across Tasmania. 

Sophie works in computational astrophysics, using powerful supercomputers to create virtual galaxies and simulate the behaviour of b...

Have we got an explosive episode for you today, listeners! 

If you live in Hobart, you may have seen a man walking around with a briefcase full of enough gadgets and wotsits to make an international spy envious. And that man is Sam Verne, today’s guest.

Sam is a cosmologist who studies how light changes colour when it passes through moving galaxies. He is also a scicomm enthusiast who shares his love of physics, crystals, and lightning frequently with the public. In today’s episode, he tells Tegan and Olly about his work and a few...

We sit down with Thomas Verne, a Masters researcher at the Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, to talk about his work developing probiotics that protect potatoes from disease. We also dig into his path from drought science to plant microbiology, and what it's like being part of the Young Tassie Scientists program. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)

Co-Host: Tegan Clark

Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)

Media & Promotion: Em...

We kick off our Young Tassie Scientists series with marine ecologist Paula Ruiz, a PhD candidate at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania. 

Paula shares her journey from Colombia to Australia and the experiences that inspired her passion for ocean conservation. We explore her research into reef recovery along Australia's east coast, investigating how marine heatwaves, sea urchin grazing, and algal turf communities influence the loss and potential recovery of kelp forests. 

Paula discusses the importance of science communication, inspiring the next generation of scientists, and why healthy marine ecosystems ar...

Dr Margaux Didion-Gency grew up playing in the forest, building tree houses and as an adult she hangs out in forests, shrublands and very hot climate chambers to study how plants respond to climate change. 

Recording in the middle of a heatwave in Europe, in this very topical episode we hear about Margaux’s research into what happens when plants get too hot. 

Listen to learn about Margaux’s exciting new research into how leaf shape influences plant heat tolerance and how this changes when heat and drought are combined. Margaux takes us on a journe...

During her final week in the UK, Olly had the pleasure of visiting The National Museum of Computing in Bletchley. There, she chatted with four volunteers about what visitors can see at the museum, as well as their own experiences in computing and electrical engineering.

The museum houses computer models from the very early days of computing, including those far larger than Olly herself!

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: o...

A long, long time ago in a university far away, TWICS host Olly studied Zoology alongside adventurer Kate Lacey. Kate’s career would take her across the world to places like the Amazon, South Africa, and beyond. 

On her recent trip to the UK, Olly caught up with Kate to hear about her career in ecology, including Kate’s involvement with the recent reintroduction of pine martens to southwest England. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every...

How much can a tree tell us about the climate? Quite a lot, it turns out.

This week, we chat with Dr Kathryn Allen from the University of Tasmania, one of Australia’s few dendroclimatologists, about how she uses tree rings to reconstruct past climates and environmental change.

Kathryn shares her unconventional pathway into science and how she built a career in climate research. Along the way, we explore how tree rings record rainfall, temperature and drought, what these natural archives can reveal about past climate variability, and why this research is so important for un...

Copper is all around us, from the wires in our homes to the technologies powering the transition to renewable energy. But where does it actually come from, and how do we find it?

In this episode, Dr Hannah Moore is joined by geologist Dr Yamila Cajal to explore the fascinating science behind copper. From her early career in mining and exploration in Chile to her current research at UTAS, Yamila shares what it’s really like to work as a geologist and how scientists uncover valuable resources hidden deep beneath our feet.

Together, they dive in...

What is a hydrogeologist, why is groundwater important, and how can mine sites both contribute to and impact our hidden water sources? In this episode, Dr Elise Tuuri is joined by the recently conferred Dr Birte Moser, a hydrogeologist at Flinders University's National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre. Birte takes us into the hidden world of groundwater, from the surprising hydraulic evolution of pit lakes after mine closure, to banking surplus water underground in the Murray–Darling Basin as a resource to utilise in periods of drought.

Sho...

Welcome back to another episode in sunny Oxford! 

While Olly was in the UK, she visited St John’s College at the University of Oxford. There, she sat down with the College President, Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome, to hear about Sue’s career in forensic anthropology and what it is like working as a scientist when your data can be used in the courtroom. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta...

This week, Dr Jane Younger returns to the TWICS mic to tell Olly about her recent adventures down south to Antarctica.

Unfortunately, the trip involved seeing staggering rates of avian influenza, affecting multiple species of seabirds as well as seals. Jane talked Olly through her experiences, as well as the science conducted to help understand what’s happening.

A bonus fact about the episode: despite the episode being about the most southern continent in the world, Jane and Olly recorded the episode when they crossed paths in the northern hemisphere.

Show the...

In this episode of That's What I Call Science, Dr. Elise Tuuri sits down with Dr. Andrew Turner, Medical Director of DonateLife Tasmania, to explore the life-saving world of organ and tissue donation. Tasmania is leading the nation in donation rates, with 25 donors saving the lives of 62 Australians in 2025 alone, and Dr. Turner unpacks what is driving that culture of generosity. From the science and logistics of donation to the deeply human connections between donors' families, recipients, and hospital staff, this episode explores what it really means to say yes to donation. We discuss the importance of registering as...

With Pint of Science just around the corner, we’re joined by three of the presenters from Hobart’s 2026 event, “From Inner Workings to Icy Worlds” at Shambles Brewery.

First, sea ice researcher Dr Johannes Lohse takes us to the Arctic and Antarctic to explore how scientists study sea ice and why it matters for our changing climate.

Next, postdoctoral researcher Dr Vimarsha Kodithuwakku discusses how subtle changes in blood vessels during childhood may help detect cardiovascular disease risk earlier in life.

Finally, PhD candidate Rachel Breslin dives into Tasmania’s sand flathead population...

Henna Tyyskä is a PhD student in Catalonia, Spain studying how historical land-use affects fungi under the  forest floor.

Inspired to be a scientist after reading Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey, Henna grew up in Finland, hanging out by lakes & collecting berries and mushrooms in the forest.  Before her current position Henna developed a taxonomic key to identify plants from a group that lives in Borneo and worked as an environmental consultant for an engineering company in Scotland.

Hear about Henna’s fascinating past and current roles and the combination of history, genetics, field...

From Catalonia, PhD student Marc Busuldu grew up fascinated by the stars. Internships across Spain led him to a position at CREAF and to his current PhD on how characterising the electrical signal of leaves can help us to better understand and detect drought in forests through satellite imaging.

Marc’s project combines mathematics, electrics and biology reflecting his varied interests which span plants, philosophy and theatre. Join Dr Kate Johnson to hear about Marc’s research and why it matters in a changing climate, his reflections on the barriers to a scientific career and advice to othe...

From the posters at the 2026 AMOS conference, we bring you a podcast episode with the latest science on oceans, the climate and weather! We hear from a range of experts who tell us about  the science laid out on their data-filled posters, displayed in a crowded conference room of scientists. 

We learn about all things climate and weather; from climate change communication in Australia to flood modelling in New Zealand to climate extremes  in Antarctica. Join us for the newest poster session episode! 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Th...

In this episode, Olly and Georgia journey to the Tasmanian ‘Science in the Park’ event held in late 2025. Science in the Park is a hands-on event where science comes alive in all its forms! Despite a day of rain, wind, and sunshine, visitors of all ages explored everything from AI and robots to Tasmanian fish identification and live dissections, flying drones, and the fascinating world of brains and neuroscience. We also learned about edible plants in the Tasmanian environment and even making a pH indicator from purple cabbage. This episode celebrates curiosity, discovery, and the joy of experiencing science in a...

In this episode, we speak with Alyssa Seckinger-Crow, who is studying Marine and Antarctic Governance at the University of Tasmania. Alyssa is the founder of the Tassie Student Science Communicators Network and Young Ocean Innovators, and serves on the Antarctic Youth Coalition Research Team. Her research examines how we can build communities that help young people grow into confident science communicators and leaders. As science engagement rapidly evolves through social media and short-form content, Alyssa explores how hands-on practice, good mentorship, and supportive spaces can help young communicators move from feeling unqualified or fearful to seeing themselves as capable...

Raised on the coast of Maine, Dr Haley Viehman has been drawn to the ocean her whole life. Starting in civil and environmental engineering, she discovered her passion for marine science by studying how fish interact with tidal energy turbines in fast‑flowing waters. In this week’s episode, we hear how Haley uses hydroacoustics to uncover how fish move, behave, and adapt in extreme tidal environments. Now based in Tasmania as a Hydroacoustic Specialist at Echoview Software, she supports researchers around the world who use sound to understand aquatic life, renewable energy, and the rapidly growing blue economy.

In this week’s episode, we chat with Ella Burgun, our Social Media Team Coordinator and local science communicator! We dive into Ella’s path into science communication and explore her recently completed Master’s thesis in forensic shark genetics. Ella’s research focused on using molecular techniques to identify which shark species end up in liver oil and fish oil products, a critical step for understanding the impact on vulnerable deep‑sea species like gulper sharks. We also chat about her new role at Echoview Software and how she’s bringing her scientific expertise into the world of marine acous...

This week, Dr Simon Torok and Dr Cintya Dharmayanti from Scientell join Olly to talk about their experiences in scicomm, what Scientell is, and the evolving landscape of communicating STEMM. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)

Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

Growing up excited for every visit to her grandparents’ farm where she could sit amongst the trees eating tropical fruits, Dr. Lucette Adet has always been fascinated by plants. Currently undertaking research in the Congo Basin in Cameroon, Lucette aims to understand how different tree species respond to their environment, in the context of changes in climate and land-use.

Join Dr Kate Johnson and hear Lucette’s exceptional story-telling as we journey through the ‘magic place’ of the tropical forest with ‘the wind flowing and the monkey’s jumping’, experiencing it as a place of research an...

Join Dr Kate Johnson and Laura Wynne Stewart to hear about the busy, beautiful forests that Laura is working to understand and advocate for. Growing up on islands, Laura’s curiosity and love for nature drove her to science and her current PhD position in forest ecology in Barcelona, Spain. Laura’s research focuses on understanding trees and forests using nifty tools such as satellites, lasers and tree-based sensors. Listen to hear about the joy of being in a forest, the broad reaching implications of Laura’s research and her excellent life advice.

Show theme...

Welcome to the last episode of 2025! 

Earlier on in the year, we had a mini-series on literacy and numeracy. Today’s episode continues on from that theme as Olly is joined by Austin and Richard from the 2 To Ramble podcast. The three discuss the use of science in science fiction books and films, as well as the creator’s role of balancing being factual and imaginative.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove...

Join us to hear from the winners of our STEMM Solutions For Our Island Competition 2025!

STEMM Solutions For Our Island was open to grade 10, 11 and 12 students in lutruwita/Tasmania who identify as female, femme or non-binary, funded by Inspiring Tasmania. Entrants identified an issue in their local community or wider lutruwita/Tasmania, and pitched a creative solution.

Join Tegan Clark and Dr Olly Dove to hear from our talented winners:  1.) Abigail McCallum, a year 10 student at Sheffield high school on Tasmania’s north-west coast, who pitched solutions to combat the...

Computer implants into human bodies powered by AI is no longer a dystopian, science fiction trope - it is real life. Whilst the fiction is gone, the dystopian still remains. 

Associate Professor Frederic Gilbert answers our questions about the current state of human-computer interfaces, how our biological and neurological data is collected, and the ethics behind it all! 

We explore how this technology was originally developed for medical purposes, and how it has been a game-changer for fighting against some neurological diseases. We question the ethical responsibilities of big-tech who are developing these technologies for no...

“Engineers got us into this mess…it’s engineers who will get us out again.”

This is a catchphrase of one of our guests today, Associate Professor Evan Franklin. Along with Professor Tim Finnigan, Evan joined Sarah and Olly to talk about all things climate engineering, and why it’s so important that more engineers get involved.

This episode also marks a special occasion for us, as it’s Dr Sarah Lyden’s last time co-hosting at TWICS. We’re super grateful for Sarah’s time on the show, and hope the futur...

Welcome back to our third week of climate engineering! This week, we’re joined by Dr. Pooyan Alinaghi Hosseinabadi, a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in electrical engineering. 

Pooyan’s work has taken him across the world and his current research focuses on renewable energy. Tune in to find out how we can be reducing emissions and you might just start looking at the electronics in your house in a whole new light. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-th...