Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

Jo's special guests in episode 202 are Professor Nadine Akkerman & Dr Pete Langman. Nadine is professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture at Leiden University, The Netherlands and Pete is an editor, writer and independent scholar. They talk to Jo about their book 'Spycraft' which explores the history and science of espionage techniques from the time of Elizabeth I to the Restoration. Plus they both answer Jo's Quick Six.

Jo also has another highlight from the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival - her chat with chartered psychologist Kimberley Wilson about her book 'Unprocessed'. 

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 201 Jo welcomes back crime writer and TV presenter Jackie Kabler. She talks about her latest book 'The Life Sentence' and the research that she did for it, including into technology and cyber crime. 

Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story behind some school records. 

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/ 

It's the 200th episode of the award-winning podcast, that is the space for arts and science. In this special feature length extended episode Jo welcomes back a host of guests, and topics discussed include myth busting, meteorology, plants, sensory science, illustration, video games, theatre, history, neuroscience, microbiology, the Periodic Table, science fiction films and space. 

Guests featured: Dr Emma Yhnell, Professor Jo Verran, Briony Hudson, Melanie Backe-Hansen, Professor Adam Hart, James Mayhew, Faith Douglas, Dr Jamie Gallagher, Corey Brotherson, Paul Scott, Mark Thompson, Sue Nelson, Professor Barry Smith,  Jeff Downes, Graham O'Dwyer and Dee Atkins-Greig. 

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

Jo's special guest in episode 199 is Tom Donald who is a pianist and composer. Tom talks about his career including film scores and his passion for music and the science behind it. He discusses a special collaboration that combines piano and Gregorian chant for the album 'Pax Aeterna'. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.

Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a piece of cloth that reveals a surprising aspect of the textile heritage of the town. 

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 198 Jo's special guest is writer and conductor Lev Parikian. He talks about his books and passion for birds, and discusses his latest book 'Taking Flight' about how animals learned to fly, including birds, bats and insects. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.

Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of a poster and one man from the area who was passionate about the environment.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo's special guest in episode 197 is Cheltenham writer Hayley Hoskins, who writes middle grade fiction. She talks about her journey as a writer and about her latest book 'The Whisperling Twins', which was inspired by the history of Gloucester. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.

Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind one of the largest items in the collection - a painting of a very interesting character.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 196 Jo's special guest is Dr Chris Laoutaris who is Associate Professor of Shakespeare & Early Modern Drama at the Shakespeare Institute (part of the University of Birmingham) in Stratford-upon-Avon. They discuss Shakespeare, in particular Chris's latest book about the people behind the First Folio - 'Shakespeare's Book'. Plus Chris answers the Quick Six.

Jo also visits Amersham Museum to chat to director Briony Hudson, and they continue to explore the physic garden and learn about the Apothecary's Rose.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Dee Atkins-Greig, who is a maths tutor and meteorologist. Dee and Jo discuss maths confidence, life coaching and the weather, including how the jet stream affects weather in the UK in particular and what happens when a heatwave is declared. Plus we learn more about clouds.

Jo is also joined by Professor Jim Al-Khalili who is a theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. Jo speaks to Jim at the Cheltenham Science Festival 2024 about the mysteries of time.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 194 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam returns to myth bust another topic and this time looks at dogs, their history and relationship to humans.

Jo also visits Amersham Museum to chat to director Briony Hudson, and they explore the physic garden and some of the plants that have medicinal properties. 

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, in episode 193, to discuss science fiction cinema. They continue the series exploring the books of sci-fi novelists that have been turned into films, and this time look at the work of Michael Crichton. Films discussed include The Andromeda Strain, Westworld and Jurassic Park.

Plus science journalist and writer Sue Nelson, and writer and narrative designer Corey Brotherson share their favourite films inspired by the work of Michael Crichton.

Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.