That's What I Call Science!

Hello listeners & welcome to our milestone 350th episode of That’s What I Call Science! 

In this special celebration, the TWICS team comes together to reflect on our journeys so far and share what makes bringing science to the airwaves so rewarding.

We dive into our favourite fun field trip finds, memorable moments out in nature, key insights we've learned along the way, and the fascinating STEMM topics we're eager to explore next. Plus, we look ahead to the future of TWICS and what’s in store for our community.

Tune in for a fun, reflective conversation celebrating science, curiosity, and nature!

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Thank you to the whole TWICS team!

Host: Dr Olly Dove (@ols_dove)

Co-Hosts: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki), Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah), Anna Abela (@annaea.jpg), Dr Kate Johnson (@kateplantphys.bsky.social), Elise Tuuri (@elisetuuri_) & Zi Yi Kho

Production: Dr Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin)

Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun) & Dr Georgia Stewart (@plutoisstillcool)

What’s happening in That’s What I Call Science’s future? What’s been happening behind the scenes?

The co-managers catch up to discuss their visions and hopes for the future, alongside 2026’s achievements. We also get a sneak peek into what’s been happening in their lives (spoiler, we talk about Olly’s self published book!) and what’s happening next.

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: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)

Can language transcend time? How likely are we to find alien life, or for alien life to find us? 

Join us as we bring together both science and art through a live recording of our panel of experts, following a screening of the film Arrival (2016). We explore the science in the film and how it relates to the experts’ own research down here in Lutruwita/Tasmania! 

This year's experts included astrophysicist Dr Simin Salarpour, psychologist Associate Professor Matt Palmer, and speech pathologist Dr Sam Calder, and hosted by Dr Olly Dove.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time in our episode to include the Q&A section of the evening, but thank you to the wonderful attendees who put forward insightful questions on the night!

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 Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)

Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho

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 we share our varied experiences and provide what we hope is some useful advice for navigating the scary world of STEMM and beyond.  

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

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

Hosts: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove), Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki) and Dr Kate Johnson (@kateplantphys.bsky.social)

Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

Media & Promotion: Dr Georgia Stewart (Insta: plutoisstillcool)

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 for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove).

Production: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove).

Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki).

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 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: Dr Georgia Stewart (Insta: plutoisstillcool).

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

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

Host: Dr Hannah Moore (@HannahClareMoore).
Co-host: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki).
Young presenters: Echo, Lily and Amanda

Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

Media & Promotion: Emma Hamasaki (@EmmaHamasaki)

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 TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! 

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove).

Production: Dr Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin).

Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.

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 the evolving role of science communication, what makes engagement effective, and why building connections between people and the ocean is just as important as understanding the science itself. Dekota also shares insights from her current research, the Big Fish Game, and her interest in knowledge co-production, bringing together Indigenous knowledge, policy, and Western science to support more holistic ocean management.

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: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun)

Production: Dr Hannah Moore (@volcanohannah)

Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun)

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

Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove).
Co-Host: Ella Burgun (@ebburgun).
Production: Richard Siu (Insta: @richard.siu.photography). 
Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho.