BBC Inside Science
BBC Radio 4
SummaryBBC Inside Science takes you on a weekly journey into the heart of discovery, peeling back the layers of the research that shapes our world and our future. Hosted by Tom Whipple, the show brings together leading experts and inquisitive minds to investigate everything from the microscopic secrets of fungi and plankton to the vast, complex dynamics of our global climate. The podcast excels at bridging the gap between niche scientific breakthroughs and their real-world implications. Whether exploring the ethical minefield of geoengineering, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in laboratories, or the unexpected science hidden in sports and social policy, each episode finds the human story within the data. You will hear how innovative engineering is preserving ancient history, how structural breakthroughs allow us to build the supposedly unbuildable, and why our oceans remain the most critical, yet under-researched, frontiers on the planet. Each installment is a blend of rigorous inquiry and accessible storytelling. By moving beyond simple headlines to scrutinize the evidence—whether it involves debating social media bans or tracing the evolutionary origins of laughter—the program provides a balanced, thoughtful look at the controversies and marvels of modern science. If you are looking for a show that challenges your perspective and illuminates the mechanics of our universe, this is your weekly guide to the frontiers of human knowledge.
Updated Jul 5, 2026
Episodes
How do you immortalise natural history?
Researchers use advanced 3D scanning and CT imaging to preserve digital twins of rare fossils and museum specimens.
Can we engineer ourselves out of a heatwave?
Scientists are weighing the risks and ethics of blocking the sun to cool a heating planet.
Finding the evidence for the social media ban
Researchers examine the limited evidence behind the UK government's plan to ban social media for those under sixteen.
How do you build an unbuildable tower?
Structural engineers reveal how they used prestressed stone and new technology to complete Gaudi’s unbuildable tower.
How is AI going to change science?
AI is rapidly evolving from a laboratory tool into an autonomous assistant that could fundamentally reshape science.
Plankton's untapped potential
Plankton are the invisible foundation of life that hold massive, untapped potential for climate and medical solutions.
El Niño is nigh, but so what?
Strong El Nino forecasts are locked in for later this year, threatening global climate impacts and record heat.
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