People doing Physics

Each year, we invite the Cavendish Arts Science Fellow to join us for a conversation with one of the scientists whose ideas helped shape their time in Cambridge.

Today’s episode is one of those conversations, and I’m delighted to welcome artist Thulani Rachia and planetary geoscientist Oliver – Oli - Shorttle to the studio.

Thulani is the fifth Cavendish Arts Science Fellow. A South African artist working across moving image, performance, music composition and sculpture, he explores two closely connected ideas: critique and recovery. His work, which has been shown nationally and internationally, questions how communities can reclaim what colonial violence has erased or displaced.

Over the past year, Thulani has immersed himself in conversations with Cambridge scientists though the annual Cavendish Arts Science Fellowship at Girton College. One of the strongest connections to emerge was with Oli, sparked by a deceptively familiar material central to both their work: graphite.

Oli is Professor of Planetary Geoscience, working across the Institute of Astronomy and the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Combining fieldwork, geochemical analysis and modelling, he investigates the chemical and dynamic processes unfolding within planetary interiors and crusts.

What follows is a conversation that begins with the graphite in a pencil and quickly expands…to darkness and light, lightning and deep time, the origins of life and the histories held within materials. Along the way, Thulani and Oli ask what artists and scientists can reveal to one another when they resist easy answers and follow a shared question… wherever it leads.

• Explore Thulani's work : obuyile - Thulani Rachia Studio
• If you would like to learn more about Oli's Planetary Chemistry research visit Planetary Chemistry – University of Cambridge | Oliver Shorttle
• Learn more about the Cavendish Arts Science programme and fellowship at Cavendish Arts Science
• Thulani refers to the project: RE Handle with care. Watch the videos: https://vimeo.com/1215845563 and https://vimeo.com/1215854527

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

Today, we have the privilege of being joined by one half of the team behind what is arguably one of humankinds’ epochal breakthroughs – the first observation of a planet outside our solar system. Both a professor at the University of Zurich and Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy here at Cambridge, Didier Queloz began his research career by achieving the great aim of all PhD students; a publication in Nature. Since then, the techniques and instruments he pioneered have led to the identification of over 4,000 other exoplanets and revolutionised our understanding of planetary formation.

His more recent work looks into the detection of earth-like planets, understanding their habitability, and the search for universal life more widely. He is now Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe here at Cambridge – an interdisciplinary hub looking at how life emerges, evolves, and persists in the cosmos.

In the course of his career, he has published hundreds of papers and been recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the unarguably most famous of all scientific awards – the Nobel Prize, which he shared with Michel Mayor and James Peebles in 2019 "for contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and Earth’s place in the cosmos".

Together we talk about Didier's route into physics, his work looking at one of the profound questions of whether humankind is alone in the universe, and whether he replaced the bike that made him miss the call from the Nobel Prize committee.

• To learn more about Didier's current research, visit Home | Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe
• Watch Didier's interviews for The Nobel Prize: Didier Queloz – Interview - NobelPrize.org

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Host: Jacob Butler

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

Today we are delighted to be joined by Siddharth Shanker Saxena, known to friends and colleagues as Montu, a condensed-matter physicist at the Cavendish Laboratory and head of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum. By Montu’s own admission, he was never able to pick a side, and so has spent his whole life exploring the world of superconductivity, all the while advocating for international relations and anthropology.

Together we talk about the moments that shape a scientific life: learning to believe you belong, the role of mentoring, and what “failure" can teach you. We also dig into the enduring puzzle of superconductivity: how to explain it simply, why it continues to captivate physicists, and how to stay comfortable saying “we don’t know.”

• Montu talked in depth about superconductivity in this podcast for Quanta Magazine: Will Better Superconductors Transform the World? | Quanta Magazine
• He was also recently featured in this Varsity article: Meet the Cambridge physicist who advocates for the humanities | Varsity
• To explore Montu's work : Siddharth Saxena | Jesus College in the University of Cambridge
• And finally, to learn more about the Cambridge Central Asia Forum, visit Cambridge Central Asia Forum |

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Charlotte Lane and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

We are so happy to be joined by Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, legendary astrophysicist who made the first observations of pulsars during her PhD at the Cavendish, and went on to become a fierce advocate of diversity in science. Dame Jocelyn is visiting Cambridge to give a special talk organised by the Cambridge University Women in Physics Society for International Women’s Day and we’re really excited to be able to spend time with her and ask her about her journey.

--

A brief note for our listeners: this episode includes personal reflections on life in academia and physics in past decades, and it may refer to attitudes, behaviours, and workplace cultures that many will find outdated, uncomfortable, or shocking. These accounts are shared to document lived experience and help us understand how the culture has changed; they do not represent current values and operations.

• Learn more about the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund | Institute of Physics
• Journeys of discovery: Jocelyn Bell Burnell and pulsars - This article published on the University of Camrbidge website includes the photo of Jocelyn mentioned in our conversation.
• To explore Charlotte's student society's activities, visit Cambridge University Women in Physics Society | CUWPS

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Charlotte Lane and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

Today we’re joined by Verity Allan, who works as a project manager, developer, and programmer of architecture and software for the Square Kilometre Array, which will be the world's largest radio telescope. A graduate of Cambridge, Oxford, and The Open University, Verity came to Cambridge from a town in the Midlands to study Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic.  

How did she go from studying ancient languages, to coding, designing security for telescope software systems, and pursuing a PhD in high performance computing for astrophysics? These are just some of the twists and turns we hope to explore in our chat with Verity. 

Stay with us.

• Explore | SKAO - Learn more about the two largest telescope arrays in the world
• Ross Anderson's book on Security Engineering, mentioned by Verity, is available at https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/archive/rja14/book.html (all three editions plus some videos)
• Verity wrote two papers on the history of scientific computing: The Cavendish Computors: The women working in scientific computing for Radio Astronomy and Scientific Computing in the Cavendish Laboratory and the pioneering women Computors
• Learn more about Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics - The University of Manchester and about our Astrophysics work in Cambridge.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Vanessa Bismuth and Charlie Walker

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

I’m delighted to welcome Akeelah Bertram and Kevin Lim to this episode of People Doing Physics.

Akeelah, a British multi-disciplinary artist and the current Cavendish Arts Science Fellow, creates immersive installations that blend digital and interactive art, performance, creative technology, and sculpture—all with a focus on collective storytelling. Her work often experiments with new modes of communication, crafting experiences that connect people across different locations and contexts.

Over the past year, Akeelah has been deeply engaged with scientists at the Cavendish Laboratory as part of her fellowship—a journey that led her to meet Kevin Lim.

Kevin, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics at the Cavendish, describes himself as a curious creative in Cambridge: a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and scientist. By day, he investigates how water reacts to sound and light waves. After hours, he’s a musician and videographer, teaching guitar, releasing new music, and making short films.

Naturally, their paths converged, sparking a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. Out of this encounter emerged a rich and reflective conversation, weaving together the threads of physics, art, and culture through personal stories and philosophical exploration.

Together we delve into the way scientific practice and artistic creativity intertwine, and consider how personal histories, institutional contexts, and different ways of knowing shape our pursuit of knowledge and creativity.

Stay with us.

• LEAP Lab - Learn more about the LEAP Lab: Living Experiments in Arts-Science Practice to Re-imagine Sustainability
• Kevin's Youtube Channel - For more videos from Kevin, visit his YouTube channel
• Kevin Lim - curious creative in Cambridge - Explore Kevin's artistic work on his website.
• Cavendish Arts Science - Learn more about the Cavendish Arts Science programme and fellowship.
• Akeelah Bertram website

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

Today in People Doing Physics, we’re delighted to welcome Professor Teuta Pilizota, a physicist who works at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics. Having set up her first lab during her PhD, Teuta is no stranger to the challenges of moving a lab, and she recently brought her innovative biological physics work to the Cavendish Laboratory.

Teuta brings a unique perspective to science. She’s someone who finds the complexities of maths more straightforward than those of human nature, and who will choose excitement over logic when selecting scientific questions to research. Her curiosity drives her to scratch the surface of living matter, and to seek out new physics that is not yet understood. 

Together today, we talk about resilience, patience, perseverance... and what to look for in the basement of a physics lab.  

Stay with us. 

• Learn more about Teuta's research: Prof Teuta Pilizota and her start-up company OGI Bio Ltd
• To learn more of the Biological Physics field at the Cavendish, explore our Physics of Life research theme.
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Charlie Walker and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

We’re excited to welcome Russell Cowburn, professor or experimental physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, serial entrepreneur, and a man of faith, newly appointed Canon Scientist at St Albans Cathedral. 

Russel’s journey to becoming a physicist started with a light bulb moment, quite literally. From his early interest in electronics to his education and career in Cambridge, with a couple of detours through engineering and France, his profile sits at the intersection between science and technology. With over 60 patents granted, Russell is a master at translating discoveries into technologies.  

The emergence of nanotechnology - the manipulation of matter on a tiny scale - in the late 90s shaped his research approach, recognising the need for collaboration across disciplines and the importance of technology transfer to solve real-world problems. In that spirit, he’s founded three companies, including one focused on nanotechnology instrumentation and another aimed at speeding up drug discovery, reflecting his commitment to applying science to the needs of our modern societies.  

Together we talk about the oh-so important ability to pivot in science, standing on the shoulders of giants and his engagement in bridging science and faith.

• Learn more about Russell's spin-out companies: Semarion and Durham Magneto Optics
• Watch one of Russell's TED talk: Nanotechnology, Creation and God. | Prof Russell Cowburn | TEDxSt
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Charlie Walker and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

Today on People Doing Physics, we’re delighted to welcome Charlotte Simmonds, an astronomer with an incredible journey and a woman on a quest.

Of all the guests we had the pleasure to welcome here, Charlotte stands out as one of the most determined, driven by an unshakable fascination for the universe, and our place within it. If astronomy was always her end goal, she first studied and started her career as a music teacher. But when the time was right, she finally embraced her first love and passion and navigated her way through the various challenges that academia invariably presents.

Now a postdoc in the Galaxy Formation and Evolution Group at the Cavendish, it looks like she’s found her rightful place in the universe and is already preparing for her next move.

With Charlotte, we’ll talk about taking chances, the importance of representations in science and her efforts to demonstrate that no matter who you are and how different you may be, there’s a place for you in science if you want it…

• Details on Charlotte's research are on the Galaxy Formation and Evolution Group website.
• Watch one of Charlotte's talk: "Unveiling the Mysteries of the Early Universe with JWST", part of the Cambridge Physics Centre lecture series
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Charlie Walker and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

This episode was first published in May 2024

This month on People Doing Physics, we have a voice very familiar to listeners; Simone Eizagirre Barker, PhD student in the Quantum Optical Materials and Systems group at the Cavendish.

Following a winding path into Optical Physics, Simone previously dipped her toes into Nanotechnology in the Cavendish’ NanoDTC, and Chemical Physics at the University of Edinburgh. Her interdisciplinary background builds on her fascination for figuring out how the world works, whether looking at quantum systems or how to structure the perfect argument. Outside of science, Simone has been involved in student magazines, debating clubs, improv theatre, and podcasts, most notably (in our opinion) as one of the founding members of this very podcast. She also produces a fortnightly segment for Basque public broadcast radio’s Faktoria Magazina.

In this episode, Simone talks about finding her way through a multi-disciplinary career in science, the importance of communication, and how to publish your first academic paper at the age of 16...

• Simone’s group and research are on the Quantum Cambridge website.
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Jacob Butler and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock