Australian Highlights

A great discussion on writing practice came out of our science poetry episode with poet Tricia Dearborn and comedian Jeeves Verma. While it did not make the final episode, the discussion has been saved here in a special bonus episode, perfect for those of us wanting practical insight for writing something wonderful - whether it be a poem or a comedy set.Tricia and Jeeves exchange writing tips and tricks: how they deal with the things that get in the way and how they capture their creative ideas. Some are less conventional than you would expect.TranscriptLinks for more: Highlight article from the full episode, Ep 15: Tricia DearbornTricia's book, AutobiochemistryA selection of her poetryFollow Jeeves on InstagramCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Tricia Dearborn and Jeeves VermaMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham Hunter

Can science really be the perfect inspiration for poetry?Tricia is one of many poets around the world embedding science into their writing. The award-winning writer and editor lives in a world where there is no divide between the artistic and the scientific. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Honours in Biochemistry, and a Masters in Women’s and Gender Studies, specialising in literature. After spending some time as a biochemist, she realised that words were her preferred medium for experimentation.Tricia wrote her first poem at seven, and hasn’t stopped. She is a founding member of Plumwood Mountain, the ecopoetry journal and was the first Australian poet to be invited to the international Poetry on the Move festival.  Comedian Jeeves Verma begins by aligning poetry with onions: can he be inspired to consider science poetry an exciting genre of creativity?Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer.TranscriptLinks for moreHighlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTricia's book, AutobiochemistryA selection of her poetryFollow Jeeves on InstagramCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Tricia Dearborn and Jeeves VermaMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HunterMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

This is the recording of our launch event for the Australian Highlight series, which took place at SciTech’s Chevron Theatre on 8 Feb, 2025 in front of a live audience.See Natasha's radio sky image.Did you know Australia leads the world in the field of radio astronomy, and is the home to some of the biggest discoveries?The newest mystery from space is called a Long Period Transient.Yes, the name is uninspiring, but hearing any astronomer or quantum physicist talk about it illuminates the exciting possibilities it opens up for our understanding of the Universe and makes us ask, is anything really impossible?Perth-resident behind the 2022 discovery, Prof Natasha Hurley-Walker, will reveal the roller-coaster journey that brought her here: forging opportunities and following a hunch after multiple set-backs and disparagement from established modes of thinking.The world-leading mind for long period transients, Natasha has also led a project to make the best radio-image of our sky. Using the Murchison Widefield Array, a telescope operated by an international consortium and located in Western Australia, she produced an iridescent image that illuminates what had gone unseen in our own galaxy. Will we convince comedian Zeppo that Long Period Transients are the most exciting thing in our sky?Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, who sounds more nervous than usual.TranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article and event photosAbout the GLEAM image (also the episode picture)GLEAM image on the ABC newsThe Murchison Widefield Array (MWA)Natasha's discovery paper for Long Period Transients (her second paper, and her third paper).Article on the third paperFollow Zeppo to find out where they're performing nextCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Natasha Hurley-Walker, ZeppoVenue: SciTech, PerthTech: Melody Rachel, Luke MorrisMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HuntMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. 

What if we saw rubbish as a valuable resource?Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla is an inventor, engineer and leading expert in the field of recycling science. She is the founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMART) at the University of NSW. Making waste valuable, her first invention reduced carbon emissions from the steel industry, and her second is promising to empower communities to become their own manufacturers. Adding a few more ‘r’s to the reduce, reuse, recycle list – such as reform and remanufacture – she is upending existing systems to engineer solutions for a waste-free world.Comedian Bec Charlwood is excited to be on such a classy podcast and we're thrilled to have her help host Rachel Rayner unravel our trash to reveal the treasure within.TranscriptLinks Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerRead more on UNSW's SMaRT Centre More on Green SteelMore on plastic filaments from MICROfactoriesMore on ceramics from MICROfactoriesFind out more on the circular economy at the Australian Circular Economy HubCheck out Bec Charlwood's comedy on her YouTube channelCredits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Veena Sahajwalla, Bec CharlwoodMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham Hunter

The power of positive role models cannot be understated.No one knows this best than Associate Professor Corey Tutt OAM, founder of Deadly Science. The results of his work are obvious. As he says:"Young Indigenous kids in Australia, you know, they used to say they wanted to be a deadly footballer, now they’re saying they want to be a deadly scientist.”Deadly Science is a not-for-profit, community-led organisation providing STEM resources to schools around Australia and connecting young First Nations People with mentors. Since its beginnings in 2018, it has become Australia's leading Indigenous STEM charity, supporting over 800 schools and community organisations nationwide.Corey worked with Australian Geographic to produce a host of science books with topics ranging from weather, to animal adaptions to the Solar System. Buy the books for yourself, your family or add them to your school’s library. He's also written his own books on Indigenous science and role models. Reptiles were Corey’s gateway into STEM and his latest book, Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles, is a celebration of Australia’s wonderful diversity of scaly things.Comedian Melody Rachel and host Rachel Rayner absorb Corey's story of trials and challenges, and his steadfast vision to make STEM careers an option for everyone.You can support the work of Deadly Science by partnering, donating, volunteering or following them on social media channels. There's also a whole lot of teacher resources too!TranscriptLinks Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerDeadly ScienceThe Ninu (Greater Bilby) researchAustralian Reptiles in Colour by Harold Cogger on Ebay (but check your local library first!)Follow Melody Rachel on InstagramCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Corey Tutt, Melody RachelMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut Media

Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer and confidante, Kirsty Kapp, catch up on a flash of five episodes.They consider tall poppies, argue about what moths eat, apologise to Perth, and avoid a deep dive into AI. Head to each individual episode for more information on each.TranscriptCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuest: Kirsty KappMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HunterMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

Dr Vanessa Finney, Head of World Cultures, Archives and Research Library at the Australian Museum introduces us to the Scott sisters, possibly Australia’s first professional female illustrators. Their scientific paintings of life-sized moths and butterflies must have been produced with microscopes and single-hair brushes to capture colour, texture and details of tiny features like caterpillar legs and moth antennae.Vanessa oversees the collection of the sisters’ work, held at the Australian Museum, and wrote the book on the sisters, Transformations, Harriet and Helena Scott: colonial Sydney's finest natural history artists, which explores the lives of these two extraordinary women.Hear comedian Elsa Daddo's awe at the work of the sisters. She also shares her wonderful imagination, experiences as a professional artist, and a reminder to connect with nature.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer.TranscriptLinks Highlight article by Rachel RaynerSee the artwork we show Elsa - the front cover of Vanessa's book. (Also the first image in the article linked above).History of the Scott sisters on the Australian Museum website, also here.The history of sunfish at the Australian MuseumThe Art of Science app by the Australian Museum (scroll down a few entries)CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Dr Vanessa Finney, Elsa DaddoStudio: Damn Good ProductionMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

Astronomer Dr Kat Ross has been frustrated many times by the ‘lone male genius’ myth in science. Pervasive narratives that ‘women don’t do science’ are not accurate, and Kat is on a mission to prove it. Kat is a proud bisexual, agender person who loves pink and is the founder of IncludeHer, an international not-for-profit organisation working with teachers, governments, curriculum developers and students to help create a modern, engaging and relatable perception of science.Hear comedian Lou Conran’s admiration for her sister, a renowned research scientist, and her amazement at the situation of things. She also shares her experiences as a comedian and women’s desire to have their stories heard.To see Kat’s dress, head to our website!Content warning: We talk about child loss in this episode, which can be distressing. If you or anyone needs resources or support, go to beyond blue.org or call Lifeline at 13 11 14 and remember to look out for yourself and each other.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerKat’s research paperScientists mentioned:·      Nicola Conran, Biochemist looking into Sickle Cell·      Marie Curie, pioneer of radioactivity research and winner of two Nobel Prizes·      Margaret Hamilton, developed onboard flight software for the Apollo missions·      Dorothy Vaughan, NASA mathematician·      Margaret Thatcher, chemist, though it turns out she didn’t invent Mr Whippy Icecream – sorry about that!·      Captain Kathryn Janeway, of StarTrek Voyager.Katy Hessel’s Great Women Artists, National Gallery of Australia’s Know My NameLou is an advocate for the charity, Saying Goodbye, which provides support and more to those suffering the loss of a babyCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Kat Ross, Lou ConranMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham Hunt