Technically Speaking | a science and engineering discussion

Does story-telling affect our understanding of scientific findings?

Do you ever think about how your own background or the stories you read in the media influence your own view of the world? Amina, Aneeqa, Cara and Antonia discuss what we mean by scientific findings and talk about some ways where science has been used to provide a biased narrative. Using examples from veganism, nutrition, climate change and the car emissions scandal, they also discuss whether there can be benefit to focussing the story in this way or whether being too focused can be detrimental.

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Should we care about the carbon footprint of our internet use?

Sparked by an article that Ghalia saw in the news, she is joined by Laura, Antonia and Aneeqa to discuss just how big our carbon footprint is, how it compares to other things and how difficult is can be to calculate it.

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How has the water industry adapted to sudden social change?

Did you know that the change in habits brought about by the pandemic had a huge impact on our water supply? Or how about how the water industry helped track the pandemic? Amina, Ghalia, Laura and Rwayda talk about how their use of water changed because of the pandemic and the wider effect of sudden, national changes in water use on the industry, while also thinking about the link to other utilities.

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What‘s so difficult about communicating science?

Laura, Rwayda, Aneeqa, Ellie, Amina, Ghalia and Antonia talk about their passion of, and some frustrations with, how science is communicated to non-experts. In this wide ranging episode we ask: What do pineapples have to do with nuclear fusion? Can you trust wildlife documentaries or reports about carbon offsetting? How does science keep us safe?

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What are we doing with nuclear waste?

Amina, Cara, Antonia and Laura share what they know about nuclear waste generated in the UK and speculate on what society might do with it in the future.

 

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How can you make me care about concrete?

Aneeqa, Rwayda, Cara and Laura discuss using concrete to build a dream home as well as some iconic structures: the Renold Building at The University of Manchester, The Clackmannanshire bridge and a museum in Dundee.

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How can nuclear power help beat climate change?

Aneeqa, Cara, Amina and Laura share their reasons for tackling climate change, speculate about what life would be like if fossil fuels weren't currently part of the UK energy mix, and talk about what they percieve to be the pros and cons of some zero carbon alternatives.

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What do you think you know about nuclear power?

Amina, Cara, Laura and Aneeqa intended to talk about how nuclear power can contribute to averting the climate emergency but never really got there! Instead, they shared their perspectives on what nuclear power is, what it does for people, and some of the challenges the industry faces as well as their own personal experiences. Rwayda joins in the conversation to offer a non-expert perspective.

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What does risk mean to us?

Laura and Aneeqa discuss what they mean by risk and how they deal with it as nuclear scientists.

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