That's what I call Science!

In September 2024, the Australian Marine Sciences Association and the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society teamed up to deliver their annual conference, with 900 marine scientists, professionals, and students gathering in Hobart to celebrate all things oceanic.

Across the two poster sessions at the conference, Olly met 24 attendees presenting their incredible science. The content was just too good for one episode, so here’s Part 1 of our double bill at AMSA-NZMSS 2024!

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Production: Hannah Moore (@HannahCMoore)

Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun

Out on Bruny Island one rainy and windy night, Edith Shum rested in a cosy cabin after a busy day out in the field. Joined by Olly on her adventure, the two took up the chance while warming themselves by the fire to talk about Edith’s past adventures. 

Having worked in Queensland with sea turtles, Edith now works in Tasmania on exploring how species shape our connection to places in the context of environmental change. Tune in to hear all about it!

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Production:  Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin)

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

We love a good science and sport cross-over. In this episode, Olly and Georgia chat to forensic scientist, Craig Gardner about his dual passion for science and rugby union refereeing. What does it take to solve a crime with science? How do you analyse the evidence and importantly, how do you know you’re right? Craig has all the answers for us. Plus, we talk about Craig’s other passion; rugby union refereeing. We learn what it’s like to referee rugby tournaments around the country and how a scientific mindset can help you in high-pressure situations.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Co-Host: Georgia Stewart (@georgi1a_stewart)

Production: Ryan Smith

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

Space is full of amazing stuff we can’t see with the naked eye! Join Olly and Georgia in this episode as they embark on a journey to the distant reaches of the universe with Sophie Young, a first-year PhD student in astrophysics. Sophie shares insights into her award-winning research on Active Galactic Nuclei—the powerful galaxy centres known for emitting massive jets of superheated plasma that can’t be seen with the naked eye. We talk about how Sophie’s passion for theoretical astrophysics and how she uses powerful supercomputers to study these cosmic jet streams.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove) & Georgia Stewart (@georg1a_stewart)

Production: Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@georg1a_stewart)

In August each year, a horde of science communicators arrive in lutruwita/Tasmania, ready to share their work with the public at the Beaker Street Festival. One of the many special events across the festival is the Roving Scientist Bar. 

With a table per scientist and the public free to move between them, the room quickly fills with the sounds of STEMM-tastic stories being shared. Join Olly and Simin for Part 2 of our Beaker Street double bill, to meet even more of the incredible scientists involved. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Co-Host: Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin)

Production: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun

In August each year, a horde of science communicators arrive in lutruwita/Tasmania, ready to share their work with the public at the Beaker Street Festival. One of the many special events across the festival is the Roving Scientist Bar. 

With a table per scientist and the public free to move between them, the room quickly fills with the sounds of STEMM-tastic stories being shared. Join Olly and Georgia in Part 1 of our Beaker Street double bill, as they meet some of the incredible scientists involved. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Co-Host: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

Production: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)

Unsurprisingly, we love science communication here at That’s What I Call Science, as do the hosts of the Let’s Talk SciComm podcast at The University of Melbourne. Naturally, we thought this made for a perfect chance to have a crossover episode!

Join Olly as Let’s Talk SciComm co-hosts and science communicator extraordinaires Jen Martin and Michael Wheeler tell her all about their exciting show as well as their own personal experiences and adventures in scicomm.

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

 Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Production:  Ryan Smith

Media & Promotion: Dr Kate Johnson (@KatePlantPhys)

In this episode, we catch up with Anna, a co-manager and founding member of TWICS. After switching gears from tech to communications, Anna opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis and what it means to live and work with neurodiversity. And we get a peek into what’s been happening behind the scene at TWICS! 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Production: Ryan Smith

Media & Promotion:Katya Bandow (@katyabandow)

Urban tree ecophysiologist Dr Christoph Bachofen tells us how plants, chemistry, physics and art are intertwined through the lens of city trees. Join Christoph and Dr Kate Johnson to learn how trees and humans experience the urban environment and find out answers to questions such as; why would a student walk around Geneva with a high-tech backpack? How do trees alter the environment in cities? Do dense buildings heat or cool cities? Will you be able to hear from trees in the future?

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

 Host: Dr Kate Johnson (@KatePlantPhys)

Production: Simin Salarpour (@SalarpourSimin)

Media & Promotion: Ella Burgun 

Have you ever used a FitBit? Quit an addiction using an app? Did you wonder why they are so successful at helping people change their behaviours? These technologies are called ‘Persuasive Technologies’, applications specifically designed using behavioural psychology to help people alter the things they do. Our guest this week is researching how to make sure technology designers make more effective apps in the future by studying what works and what doesn’t work so well. 

Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod

Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove)

Co-Host: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

Production: Dr Meredith Castles (@MeredithCastles)

Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart (@ggstew25)