Professor Brian Cox presents new science podcast

Physicist, TV presenter and the first appointed Crick Scholar, Professor Brian Cox, is the host of a new podcast panel show series, “A Question of Science”, in which leading experts debate the biggest topics in science with a public audience.

Produced by BBC Studios for the Francis Crick Institute, the first episode of the series will be available across platforms from 17 September.

Each episode tackles some of the biggest challenges facing society today and all are underpinned by science. From ‘Can we cure cancer?’ to ‘How to survive climate change?' and the challenges of AI, Brian and our expert panel answer our live studio audience’s questions on some of the greatest scientific issues of our time.

The first show in a 12-part series asks, ‘Could we live forever?’, exploring the phenomenon of ageing, as our panel discuss new scientific insights and medical discoveries that are on the brink of helping us live longer, and more importantly, ageing better.

A Question of Science allows audience members to ask questions directly to the panel, putting curiosity from the public front and centre.

The panellists in this series include Jeanette Winterson, Rory Cellan-Jones, Anil Seth, Helen Sharman, Adam Rutherford, Paul Nurse, George Monbiot, Giles Yeo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed and You, Me and the Big C’s Lauren Mahon.

The discussions are recorded just metres from the Crick’s research labs where topics at the heart of the podcast’s debates are being studied.

Charlie Swanton, the Crick’s Deputy Clinical Director, who was on the panel for an episode exploring the latest in cancer research, said: "Taking part in the panel on cancer was a fascinating and motivating experience. We discussed so much, from whether we'll ever have a universal cure, to recognising the valuable expertise of people living with cancer. However listeners arrive at these episodes, I hope that these topics will resonate with people and, importantly, spark further conversations.

"It’s crucial that researchers listen to the questions people have on some of the biggest topics affecting society, as this could positively influence the direction of future scientific studies.”

Brian Cox’s role as the presenter of a Question of Science is his first since joining the Crick community as a Crick Scholar. He said: “Gone are the days when science can afford to sit in isolation without being more widely discussed. New discoveries have an impact on all of us, so it’s important that they are communicated clearly with the public, who can then get involved in debating outcomes and priorities. This is what the show is all about, getting real questions from the audience and putting them to the real experts who have very often spent a lifetime trying to find the answers.”

A Question of Science will be available on all podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music and the Crick website from 17 September, with new episodes dropping weekly.