Australian Highlights

Innovation is a loaded term, a buzzword. When this is a podcast on innovation, what do we mean? Are we using the term correctly? Where does invention sit in all of this?Jonathan Englert and Mandy Scotney from Episode 6, Culture Shocks, are back to unravel the conundrum of language and entrepreneurship. Jonathan draws from his PhD looking into Australian innovation, where he interviewed various inventors and explored his relationship to Australian culture.Comedian Mandy Scotney, on her own PhD journey and fresh off a successful tour of her award-nominated show, Married for Six Weeks, brings some much-needed rationality to Jonathan and Rachel's whimsy.Links for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer from Episode 6Bonus episode on Mandy's stand up comedy process, is our episode 27!Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio, and an article on making bubble-blowing machinesBarry Marshall, who worked out that bacteria cause stomach ulcers in the 1980sLawrence Hargrave, who is credited as supplying key innovations to enable airplanes in the 1890s.David Skellern, a key figure in the story of inventing fast Wifi in the 1990s.Henry Hoke, who built a collection of innovations like the rope hammer and the leg pull from the first half of the 20th century. Mark Thomson, keeper of Henry Hoke’s archives and founder of the Institute for Backyard Studies.Follow Mandy and find out what she’s up to nextCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Jonathan Englert, Mandy ScotneyMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What snack would you like on a trip to Mars?Professor Jenny Mortimer is a space horticulturalist, who is looking at the best nutritious solutions for astronauts hurtling through the solar system. She has already sent food into space, all to test whether it would survive a trip to Mars. Will it whet the appetite of cabaret star Minnie Andrews?CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Jenny Mortimer, Minnie AndrewsRecorded at the Adelaide Fringe FestivalTech: Luke MorrisMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HuntMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re all about the good life – but we’re not heading to a wellness retreat in Byron Bay. We’re measuring our quality of life using cold, hard stats, and looking at our brains with a portable scanner. No ice baths required! Champagne encouraged.See images discussed in the episode and more on the website.In this live recording of the Australian Highlights series for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival we’re exploring local medical innovations, from a portable brain scanner currently being tested by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, to advancements in statistical measurements of patient outcomes: can the numbers really be centered on what is important to patients?Dr Freda Werdiger, who was at the University of Melbourne at the time, takes us through the numbers and dials of her field to illuminate the promising leaps in human health happening across Australia right now, including improving care for Indigenous peoples in aged care and reducing the effects of strokes in emergency situations.Host Rachel Rayner may faint (she’s quite squeamish, despite having her own aneurysm problems) but she’ll be joined by local comedy legend, Laura Davis, to laugh at how amazing and ridiculous the human condition is.CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Freda Werdiger, Laura DavisVenue: The Library at the Dock, Australia’s first six Green Star-rated public building Tech: Luke MorrisMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HuntMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer and confidante, Kirsty Kapp, catch up on a flash of five episodes.They consider the statistical definition of deadly, argue about the failures of communicating acid rain, poke at Rachel's hatred of Paul Gauguin, and get excited about ancient trade routes. Head to each individual episode for more information on our website: Australian Highlights, Season 2.CreditsProducer: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Innovation in Australia has been happening for tens of thousands of years. Professor Lynette Russell is the co-author of Innovation: Knowledge and Ingenuity, which is part of the First Knowledges series. In conversation with comedian Luke Morris and host Rachel Rayner, we explore the rich history and innovations of Indigenous Australians, particularly in the areas of language, trade, land management, and technology. We discuss how Western historical narratives have often overlooked or dismissed the sophistication and ingenuity of Indigenous societies, and how recent research is finally bringing this all to light. Lynette shares her story of becoming an anthropological historian rather than an archaeologist, and her current line of research into trade relations between Australia and Indonesia thousands of years ago, while Luke spends much of the episode aghast at how little he knew of all this.TranscriptLinks for more:Get the book, or get the whole seriesFind out more on LynetteFollow Luke and Comedy VictoriaCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Professor Lynette Russell AM, Luke MorrisMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HunterMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not all innovations are gears and coding. Some are a cultural awareness and, always, an ability to use what you have to improve the situation.Between the Wars, Ethel Anderson was bringing visibility to a new art movement that was being overlooked by those in charge of the nation's galleries and newspapers. She supported artists to ensure that Australia had a Modern voice that would endure. Artists like Grace Cossington-Smith, who has the crown of producing Australia's first post-impressionist painting (The Sock Knitter, 1915), were producing a new visual identity for what was happening in Australia. Ethel new this new work was important. She made sure these artists had space and visibility to take the place of the heralded (and dated) pastoral landscapes of "the Australian frontier".Dr Victoria Souliman is an art historian at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on issues of national identity, expatriatism, and women’s agency in the artistic exchanges between Australia, France, and Britain in the early 20th century. She introduces star of the modernist movement in Australia, Ethel Anderson, to comedian Tori Crisp, who has purposefully avoided the history of art all her life.We also get to learn how much Rachel hates the work of Paul Gauguin, and how easily she can offend those in the field.Visit the website for pictures of the paintings mentioned in this episode.TranscriptCredits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Victoria Souliman, Tori CrispMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Harry HughesMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to communicate and, more specifically, what does it mean to communicate science? And then, how can we learn to be better science communicators?Who is helping us understand the big science topics, and what did they do to get there?A niche field of research and career pathway is having its moment as our connected and complex world requires more and more people to accurately communicate the science underpinning it all.Recording live at SciTech in Perth, Western Australia, as part of FRINGE WORLD, hear from head of science communication studies at the University of Western Australia, Dr Heather Bray as she outlines the importance of dedicated science communicators and Australia’s innovative role.Australia had a huge role to play in developing and supporting the growth of science communication as a profession. A part of policy, education, media and pandemics, science communicators are helping everyone navigate the world and make the big decisions.So how did Australia come to be involved in developing a professional discipline, and how is it continuing to lead the world in untangling the big issues for all audiences?Comedian Nicky Wilkinson discovers more about this totally meta field and where science and comedy can work learn from each other.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, who sounds more nervous than usual.TranscriptCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Heather Bray, Nicky WilkinsonVenue: 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly all of us have a close-encounter story or two. With spiders, that is.In our previous episode, we spoke to arachnologist Caitlin Creak about her work with funnel web spiders. What also came about were our personal interactions with the creatures that live in and around our homes. Collected here are our recollections and questions on what to do with the spiders amongst us, with a bit extra on the behind-the-scenes of Caitlin's research. And we finally get to hear what springs to mind when actor Nicholas Richard hears the phrase, "old-world spider"Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer.TranscriptCredits Producer: Rachel Rayner Guests: Caitlin Creak, Nicholas Richard Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Dianne Weller Made possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do we know about the world’s deadliest spider, which lives only in Australia’s largest city?Turns out, not much!The Sydney funnel web, Atrax Robustus, has a venom only toxic to primates. While their venom has been studied in depth, resulting in an antivenom, little is known about their life and habits.Arachnologist Caitlin Creak studies the Sydney funnel web spider unlike anyone else before – in the wild. This dangerous, cold and wet field work has never dampened her love for these spiders and her quest to know more about them.Hear actor behind Hoot from Giggle and Hoot, Nicholas Richard, grapple with his respect and fear of our eight-legged neighbours. Will he come to love the creature we’ve been taught to avoid?TranscriptLinks for moreThe Australian Museum page on funnel websThe Australian Reptile Park page on handling funnel webs for the antivenom programCaitlin’s website for more spider insightsFollow Nick on InstagramCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Caitlin Creak, Nicholas RichardMusic: Michelle CashmanEditor: Dianne WellerMade possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we not know this? Why is this not in the mainstream?This is a catch up that generates more questions than answers. As we unfold insights from each episode in our latest flash, there are a few tangential revelations: Rachel drops a koala-related bombshell; Kirsty learns about Australia’s feral cat problem; and Rachel wants everyone to know about the true Australian highlight, the numbat. Overall, Kirsty is astounded at how much from our previous episodes are not common knowledge. How many of our topics and tangents were you aware of?See our episode writeups on the website: australianhighlights.com.auTranscriptCredits:Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuest: Kirsty KappMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HunterMade possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you build your own collaborator? And what goes on behind the scenes of our big, complex, scientific infrastructure?Astronomer Dr Vanessa Moss is Head of Science Operations for CSIRO’s ASKAP radio telescope. Situated in a remote location, the telescope was always planned to be controlled remotely – by a human. But Vanessa has taken this a step further by building a system to autonomously control the telescope, called SAURON.Which is a Lord of the Rings reference (for those of us that are outside the LOTR realm) to Sauron, who has an all-seeing eye. In this case, SAURON stands for Scheduling Autonomously Under Reactive Observational Needs, and it’s helping us see as much of the sky as possible.Comedian Seizure Kaiser is on-hand to make sure we don’t use too many acronyms and is pretty glad we’re not talking cricket facts. Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer will be on the website soon: Australian HighlightsCSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy ObservatoryFollow Seizure on Instagram and find out what shows are coming up, including at the Sydney Comedy Festival.CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Vanessa Moss, Seizure KaiserMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HuntMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our previous episode, we spoke to Mandy Scotney and Jonathan Englert about innovation in Australia and particular types of innovators and what inspired them.During that talk, we actually spoke a little bit about Jonathan's journalistic approach to interviewing these people and finding their stories. Captured in this episode is our discussion of the Bueller Method, one of Jonathan's interviewing methods.The name may sound familiar, because sometimes we all need a special day off. So here is our discussion around the Bueller method.Original interview is Episode 6: Culture Shocks.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscript Links:"Put a brick in the toilet", Californian water-saving campaign, 2014CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Jonathan Englert, Mandy ScotneyMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does Australia’s culture of innovation come from, if it exists at all?Dr Jonathan Englert unravels the conundrum, fresh from his PhD looking into Australian innovation, where he interviewed various inventors and explored his relationship to Australian culture.We uncover the stories of inventors like Barry Marshall, who rejected the establishment to change medicine forever, Lawrence Hargrave whose kites paved the way for flight, and David Skillern, a leader of the Wifi team.Comedian Mandy Scotney, still on her PhD journey, joins us with her insightful and hilarious takes, biting commentary and tales of wombat poo.Promised notes from the episode:In the episode, we mention putting bricks in the toilet - the cistern specifically, which was a thing many householders did before the Australian invention of the dual flush system.The wombat poo... It’s vaguely cube-shaped. The reason? Biomechanical engineers, who were studying how it becomes cube-shaped, postulated that perhaps it is to signpost their territory (it doesn't roll away). Research into how wombats make it cubed was done at the Georgia Institute of Technology…yep, in the USA. Biomechanics researcher on the study, David Hu, says, the wombat's strategy could help engineers design better ways to shape valuable or sensitive materials. Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Bonus episode on Jonathan’s journalistic interview technique, the Bueller method, is our episode 7!Lawrence Hargrave, who is credited as supplying key innovations to enable airplanes in the 1890s.Barry Marshall, who worked out that bacteria cause stomach ulcers in the 1980sDavid Skellern, a key figure in the story of inventing fast Wifi in the 1990s.Henry Hoke, who built a collection of innovations like the rope hammer and the leg pull from the first half of the 20th century. Mark Thomson, keeper of Henry Hoke’s archives and founder of the Institute for Backyard Studies.Follow Mandy and find out what she’s up to nextCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Jonathan Englert, Mandy ScotneyMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer and confidante, Kirsty Kapp, catch up on the first four episodes of the series.Rachel is thankful she can explain a bit of quantum physics, and Kirsty is excited about recognising Traditional Knowledge, and horrified at the lack of women in arts leadership in Australia’s recent past.They argue about whether an octopus has eight arms or eight legs and celebrate science's role in making trivia great again. Head to each individual episode for more information on each.Note, Rachel made some factual errors in the show:The technology stack has six layers, the seventh being Country.The Story of the Ned Kelly Gang, the world's first feature-length film, opened in 1906 (December, though, so she's close)CreditsProducer: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were so many great astronomy discussions in Jeeves Verma and my conversation with Naomi McClure-Griffiths (Episode 3), that did not make the final cut.This bonus episode is a collect of fun facts on radio astronomy for anyone who wants to know a bit more about astronomy research happening right now.And really, who doesn't?Radio astronomy has an incredible strong Australian origin story, so be prepared for a lot of radio astronomy content in this series!Apologies, the audio quality is not great, but the conversation quality is magnificent.Links for more:Highlight article on Episode 3 by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerThe original conversation with Naomi and Jeeves was published previously in Australian Highlights (Episode 3 Naomi McClure-Griffiths: Armfuls of galactic gas).Naomi McClure-Griffiths’ biography and research information at the Australian National UniversityFollow Jeeves and find out what he’s up to now.CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths and Jeeves VermaMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we know what our galaxy looks like if we are stuck inside it?In this episode we're talking about something that happened at a time when we were dancing to Spiderbait’s Black Betty and crooning to Britney Spears’ Every Time: it was a time when humanity learnt more about our home in the Universe, as an incredible discovery on our own galaxy came to light.And this is thanks to radio astronomer, Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths.Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths discovered an outer spiral arm while a young researcher 20 years ago, using Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope. She is also a leader and pioneer in radio astronomy, described even at the time as one of strongest leaders in astronomy of her generation in the world.Comedian Jeeves Verma is enlightened by Naomi’s tales on astronomy, and discovers what all the galactic fuss is about.Apologies for the low audio quality of the episode, but we promise the conversation quality is magnificent.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerA bonus episode on radio astronomy resulted from this original conversation – it is published next in Australian Highlights (Episode 4 Bonus: Radio Astronomy).Naomi McClure-Griffiths’ biography and research information at the Australian National UniversityNaomi’s paper on the discoveryFollow Jeeves on Instagram and find out what he’s up to now.CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths and Jeeves VermaMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Founder and innovator Mik Jade has taken huge risks on her mission to use the best technologies to protect and share Indigenous Knowledge.A Cabrogal woman of the Dharug-speaking nation, she leads with a community-first approach, building towards a better together world and using technology in innovative ways to do so.Having addressed the UN and made The Australian’s 100 Top Innovators list, she’ll talk to us about turning Songlines into holograms, bringing Country to those who can’t make the journey, and making one of the largest murals in Australia through a community’s use of machine learning.Hear comedian Tori Crisp’s wonder at the opportunities and possibilities out there if you’re willing to take the risk and pursue what you believe in.Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer.Mik Jade's organisation Indigital - Australia's first Indigenous edu-tech companyBuilding Country into Microsoft’s server locationFollow Tori and find out what she’s up to now.CreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Mik Jade, Tori CrispMusic: Michelle CashmanEditing: Graham HuntMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know Australia is credited with producing the first-ever feature film?This was during the silent movie era, when Australia had its own thriving industry, filed with glamourous stars and passionate studios. In 1926, Australia’s first all-female production company released their romantic, expressionistic film, beating that year’s Charlie Chaplin movie at the box office. Producer and film director Rebecca Barry reveals the story of Paulette, Phyllis and Isabel McDonagh - three sisters who sought to capture hearts and leave their artistic mark on the local film scene – and shows us what that means for Australian creatives today. Hear as comedian Freya Reviews discovers these remarkable sisters for the first time, despite having a degree in film (we blame the lecturer!).Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerTranscriptLinks for more:Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerRebecca Barry on IMDB and her production company Media StockadeRebecca’s film on the McDonagh sisters on Youtube (thanks Rebecca!)Her more recent film, Mozart’s Sister, which won two AACTAsFollow Freya and find out what she’s up to nowMore resources on the sisters at the National Film and Sound ArchiveCreditsProducer: Rachel Rayner, Science ExplainerGuests: Dr Rebecca Barry, Freya ReviewsStudio: Damn Good Production Music: Michelle CashmanEditing: HoboHut MediaMade possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Australian Highlights series is launching 8 Feb 2025.The process of innovation, the collecting of ideas, and the cultural leaps that allow the new to flourish, can be fascinating. Particularly in the Australian context: a country at once proud of its ingenuity but full of insecurities; with unreconciled histories and confused futures; and with abundant resources and areas of scarcities. What does our past and present innovation look like in this context?Join us as we uncover our innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.