Ockham’s Razor

By ABC listen

What's Ockham’s Razor about?

Ockham’s Razor is a soap box for all things scientific, with short talks about research, industry and policy from people with something thoughtful to say about science.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Ockham’s Razor episodes:

03.06.2024
Some news about Ockham's Razor and introducing Quick Smart
If you've been wondering where we've been – Ockham's Razor is going on hiatus for a little while. But don't worry, we've got your pod needs covered with Tegan Taylor's other excellent and informative shows, Quick Smart and What's That Rash? Find...
03.06.2024
Some news about Ockham's Razor and introducing Quick Smart
If you've been wondering where we've been – Ockham's Razor is going on hiatus for a little while. But don't worry, we've got your pod needs covered with Tegan Taylor's other excellent and informative shows, Quick Smart and What's That Rash? Find...
12.16.2023
Satellites, citizen science and space
What role could you play in the fight against space junk? This week, Mars shares her thoughts on the role of citizen science in space research.
12.09.2023
What should rewilding look like in Australia?
Scientists have lots of different ideas about how to conserve our native species. One of these ways is rewilding.
12.02.2023
If DNA is the sheet music, epigenetics is the conductor
Razia Zakarya is an epigeneticist. But what does an epigeneticist do exactly? Razia is here to explain! Today, why DNA and epigenetics is important for chronic disease research.
11.25.2023
26 November 2023
Ockham’s Razor is a soapbox for all things scientific.
11.25.2023
Making science fun isn't oversimplifying it
Science doesn't have to be restricted to old white men in lab coats. Maddie reckons it's time to make science fun! Without losing it's important messages.
11.18.2023
Examining the labels we put on science
First Nations people were the first scientists in Australia. But they don't just stay in the past tense – they're still here, and still actively contributing to science. Today's speaker Maggie Walter is Palawa and she's here to talk about how...
11.11.2023
Imagine you're a snowflake...
Today's speaker Chelsea explores the extreme cold in Antarctica to bring home something important... Ice cores! These ice cores can be used to uncover clues about Australia's past.
11.11.2023
12 November 2023
Ockham’s Razor is a soapbox for all things scientific.
11.04.2023
What radio and space research have in common
Today's speaker works with radio of a slightly different sort – radio astronomy! Dr Laura Driessen explains what radio is… and isn't.
10.28.2023
Big conservation in small spaces
As cities grow, nature becomes more and more fragmented. So how can we protect native species without big areas to conserve? Brendan Wintle says we need look into smaller places, like your own backyard or the bushland down the street.
10.21.2023
The giant urine battery, and other art-science fusions
Guess what happens when art and science collide?
10.14.2023
The ancient story of Prometheus still has lessons today
Fire has been fundamental for human development - but have you ever stopped to think about how it might be causing us harm? Fay Johnston wants us to rethink our relationship with fire, through a retelling of a story.
10.07.2023
Yeast: a manufacturing powerhouse
Bread... Beer... Bioengineering? Yeast really can do it all. Today's speaker Jason Whitfield wants us to consider what our world could look like with emerging bioengineering tech.
09.30.2023
The creatures in the ocean's twilight zone
Diving into the "twilight zone", there's some amazing aquatic creatures. These fish fascinate today's speaker Yi-Kai Tea. He's even named a few.
09.23.2023
What fool's gold can tell us about the origins of life
Do you have a favourite mineral? Maybe you love the gleam of a tiger's eye or the sparkle of an amethyst.
09.16.2023
A peek into the future of glaucoma treatment
Flora Hui's hope for the future is that blindness from glaucoma no longer exists. And as an optometrist and researcher, she's at the forefront of finding better treatments.
09.09.2023
What microfluidics can do for you
Microfluidics is an exciting field of science that has the potential to change the way we do drug trials. Today's speaker Susi Seibt is keen to explore the future applications of this teeny tiny science.
09.02.2023
How do you brew
What do you love about that first sip of beer? Maybe it's the bitterness, the fizz or the fruitiness?
08.26.2023
Thinking of the earth like a vanilla slice
Beneath the cold ice sheets of Antarctica lies the dynamic deep earth. So what happens when the two interact? Today's speaker Niam is eager to find out.
08.19.2023
Why would we need a celestial lighthouse?
Let's go on a space adventure! Gomeroi woman and astrophysics honours student Krystal explores the scale of our universe.
08.12.2023
Safety, science and a platypus
If we had a time machine, we could go back and fix the mistakes we've made. But that probably isn't the best way to prevent mistakes before they happen... Trish Kerin believes everyone has a right to be safe at work...
08.05.2023
When AI surprises a software engineer
We're getting pretty familiar with hearing people talk about AI and what it could mean for our future. Luckily we humans still have the power to shape how that will look. Rashina Hoda is one of those humans and she's hoping to...
07.29.2023
Advancing women's health with mice?
Researchers have a lot of unanswered questions about female reproductive health. Today's speaker has a story of a discovery that will hopefully advance this area of science, but found in a very unlikely place. We have some live shows coming up, and...
07.22.2023
Peeking inside unhappy Aussie knees
How are your knees feeling? There's a pretty good chance one or both of them are sore — after all, knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability globally, and Australia's no exception. Trouble is, we don't really have any way...
07.15.2023
What can hot springs tell us about the origins of life?
Do you think we're alone in the universe? Could there be other life out there? And, whether there is or isn't, how does life come to be, anyway? (Is this sounding a little like your mate on a camping trip getting a...
07.08.2023
Indigenous voices in water planning
What does it take to survive on the driest inhabited continent on Earth? Indigenous people have tens of thousands of years of knowledge about this, but their place in the conversations about water planning and management are often tokenistic at...
07.01.2023
Crashes, collisions and earthquakes: an engineering challenge
To protect our heads in a crash or collision, we wear a helmet. But what about if we need to protect a building? That's probably too big for a helmet… Engineer Tatheer explores creative solutions to these big problems. We have some upcoming live...
07.01.2023
2 July 2023
Ockham’s Razor is a soapbox for all things scientific.
06.24.2023
Mussels: Not exactly cute, but definitely important
When it comes to conservation, it's easy to get excited about protecting creatures that make you go "aww". Like, "aww, what a fluffy koala!", or "aww, what a cute lizard!"
06.17.2023
Stone tools and secrets of the past
What’s the most important human invention from history? The wheel? Fire? How about… language and culture? Archaeologist Sam Lin takes us on a tour of very early human history, featuring an item that crops up too regularly to be an accident:...
06.10.2023
Including First Nations voices must be more than just lip service
No one likes having their ideas taken for granted, without recognition or pay. For First Nations Australians, their expansive knowledge is often used without proper consultation or respectful communication. So how do we tackle the problem? Tahlia, a Ballardong Whadjuk and Wajarri Yamaji engineering...
06.03.2023
The science of ice cream
Here on Ockham's Razor, our soapbox for science, we try to bring you science that's deeply applicable to your daily life.
05.27.2023
How trauma harms and how to heal
When it comes to mental health, we're so much better as a society at talking about it than we used to be.
05.20.2023
Inspiring the next generation of deadly scientists
Corey decided to be a scientist, no matter what anyone else said. It ended up taking him on some life changing adventures. Now, he's using his love of science to make sure all kids, even in the most remote parts of...
05.13.2023
Investigating murder mysteries with… bugs?
This week's episode is one for the true crime podcast fans. Paola is a forensic entomologist meaning she uses bugs to help solve murders. So, what can the bugs tell us? Just a heads up, this episode includes descriptions that get a bit gruesome....
05.06.2023
The hidden cost of fish and chips
We often think of sharks as villains -- but as far as humans vs sharks go… we're the bad guys.
04.29.2023
Creating equity on the pathway to science careers
People who want to be a scientist, should have the opportunity to pursue a career in science - right? Well, there are barriers that make it much harder for some people to become the scientists they dream of being. Today, Linda Agnew...
04.22.2023
Could a planet like Luke Skywalker's exist in our universe?
It's the perennial question when it comes to considering the universe – could there be life on other planets?
04.15.2023
Everything you ever (or never) wanted to know about ticks
They're the unwanted hiking companion that is trying to suck your blood. Today, Charlotte tells us about why ticks want to follow us home.
04.08.2023
Waterways are teeming with life - how can we protect them?
Callum is thinking about the future of freshwater systems in Australia. They're full of life, within and around the water. But how do we protect these waterways when humans also rely on them? Callum Donohue explores this careful balance.
04.01.2023
Tiny creatures have a big conservation problem
To plan conservation efforts, scientists need to know what species are in an area, how big the populations are, how they interact... The list goes on. But what happens when the creatures that need conserving are so small you can barely...
03.25.2023
An Atom's Eye View
Jacob is no stranger to becoming immersed in the world he's researching. He's a nanotechnologist, so things are about to get tiny. Today, Jacob Martin explains why his research requires a balance of the real and virtual worlds of scientific experimentation.
03.18.2023
Meteorites and meteor-wrongs
We've all looked at the night sky in the hope of seeing a shooting star, but today's speaker looks at the ground to find meteorites! Ellie Sansom explains what it takes to go on a meteorite hunt in the Australian outback. Next...
03.11.2023
When bias in science is a good thing
Bias is usually regarded as something to avoid in scientific research, but that doesn't always have to be the case. James Hill explores the role his lived experience as a queer Ngarrindjeri man plays in his research, and what can be...
03.04.2023
The coral reef you didn't know you needed to know about
When you think of Australia's most famous coral, the Great Barrier Reef likely comes to mind. But there's a coral reef ecosystem in the north of WA that also deserves attention. Today, Zoe takes us on a journey to the corals of...
02.25.2023
Choosing the science story we want to tell
What can stories tell us about science? And what science can we explore through stories? This week, science writer Lauren Fuge asks us all to imagine the future of science.
02.18.2023
Is this a job for AI or humans?
What is a task for AI and when does a human need to intervene? And when is a compassionate response better than an accurate one? These are the big questions explored by today's speaker, Carolyn. Next live show: The next Ockham's Razor live...
02.11.2023
Representation is key if we want health equity
Having a voice in conversations that concern your experiences is vital, especially when it comes to First Nations health. Today, Kim Morey explores what an inclusive future in healthcare looks like. Next live show: Our next live show will be in Perth on the...

What's Ockham’s Razor about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Ockham’s Razor episodes:

Some news about Ockham's Razor and introducing Quick Smart

Some news about Ockham's Razor and introducing Quick Smart

Satellites, citizen science and space

What should rewilding look like in Australia?

If DNA is the sheet music, epigenetics is the conductor

26 November 2023

Making science fun isn't oversimplifying it

Examining the labels we put on science

Imagine you're a snowflake...

12 November 2023

What radio and space research have in common

Big conservation in small spaces

The giant urine battery, and other art-science fusions

The ancient story of Prometheus still has lessons today

Yeast: a manufacturing powerhouse

The creatures in the ocean's twilight zone

What fool's gold can tell us about the origins of life

A peek into the future of glaucoma treatment

What microfluidics can do for you

How do you brew

Thinking of the earth like a vanilla slice

Why would we need a celestial lighthouse?

Safety, science and a platypus

When AI surprises a software engineer

Advancing women's health with mice?

Peeking inside unhappy Aussie knees

What can hot springs tell us about the origins of life?

Indigenous voices in water planning

Crashes, collisions and earthquakes: an engineering challenge

2 July 2023

Mussels: Not exactly cute, but definitely important

Stone tools and secrets of the past

Including First Nations voices must be more than just lip service

The science of ice cream

How trauma harms and how to heal

Inspiring the next generation of deadly scientists

Investigating murder mysteries with… bugs?

The hidden cost of fish and chips

Creating equity on the pathway to science careers

Could a planet like Luke Skywalker's exist in our universe?

Everything you ever (or never) wanted to know about ticks

Waterways are teeming with life - how can we protect them?

Tiny creatures have a big conservation problem

An Atom's Eye View

Meteorites and meteor-wrongs

When bias in science is a good thing

The coral reef you didn't know you needed to know about

Choosing the science story we want to tell

Is this a job for AI or humans?

Representation is key if we want health equity