Lab Matters

What does it mean to make chemistry sustainable? In this episode of Lab Matters, host Jonathan Smith speaks with Tom Welton, the first Professor of Sustainable Chemistry at Imperial College London. Tom reflects on his journey from a North London council estate to becoming a leading voice in sustainable chemistry. Along the way, he shares how early curiosity about atomic structure, inspiring mentors and the emerging environmental movement shaped the direction of his career. The conversation explores the origins of sustainable chemistry, the science behind ionic liquids, and how global environmental thinking transformed the way chemists approach their work. It’s a thoughtful discussion about curiosity, chance, and how scientific ideas evolve alongside the world around them.

In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet Gould speaks with Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum and former Science Editor at The Telegraph. Roger’s career spans physics, journalism, bestselling books and decades of science communication. From researching ultra-thin molecular films at Oxford to covering the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and interviewing future Nobel Prize winners, Roger has spent his career explaining science to the world. In this conversation he reflects on: • Growing up inspired by the Apollo missions • Studying chemistry and completing a doctorate at Oxford • The unexpected path from academia into journalism • Reporting on major scientific discoveries and global events • Why curiosity and storytelling remain essential to science communication It’s a fascinating look at how science, media and curiosity intersect — and why communicating science has never mattered more.

In this episode of Lab Matters, we sit down with chemical policy strategist and toxicologist Camilla Alexander White to explore a career that spans industry, academia and the highest levels of scientific advisory. From growing up as a young carer and discovering chemistry through fireworks and inspirational teachers, to advising the Food Standards Agency and contributing to international regulatory discussions, Camilla shares what it really takes to influence policy. We talk about: • The reality of being a woman in science in the 1980s • Why policy influence is built on relationships, not headlines • The long road from scientific idea to regulatory change • The ban on animal testing in cosmetics and the future of alternatives • Balancing industry, advisory roles and creative passions This is a conversation about resilience, credibility, patience — and following your passion wherever it leads.

In this episode of Lab Matters, we step inside the Old Operating Theatre Museum with historian Dr Sophie Wearing to explore how science really moves through society. Surrounded by 19th-century surgical instruments, we discuss everything from blood-stained surgeons and the slow acceptance of germ theory to the evolution of medical authority and expertise. Sophie reflects on how science professionalised, how knowledge spreads (often far more slowly than we imagine), and why some “truths” are only true within certain limits. We also look forward - from vaccine breakthroughs during Covid to inequalities in pharmaceutical development, and even the possibility of an approaching AI “winter”. This is a fascinating conversation about progress, power, and the human forces that shape scientific discovery.

Artist Stuart Luke Gatherer reflects on creativity, chemistry, and meaning, exploring how science, symbolism, and paint intersect in his work.

In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet Gould is joined by STEM educator, technician and mentor Lawrence Dawkins-Hall (Science Council) for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what shapes a science career - and what needs to change next. From early inspiration sparked by the Apollo missions and Attenborough, to the realities of working life in labs, Lawrence shares the highs, the hard lessons, and the turning points that led him to champion better recognition and progression for technicians. The conversation explores professional registration and chartership, the Technician Commitment, and why the sector needs stronger, clearer career pathways that let technical talent thrive without being forced away from the bench.

Would-be rebel, Ola Wlodek, on the Joy of peptide engineering.

CEO Roughan Sheedy speaks to Harriet from the business side of science

Machine learning expert, Marcel Gehrung tells Harriet the one thing he does before confirming a single new hire

Hear Ricky’s vision for the future of science - and much more!

A Kansas City science fair was the catalyst for CEO Sean Smith and it’s been quite a ride…

Professor Jenny Read tells Harriet about her “vision” for the future of robotics

Acclaimed author Marti Leimbach shares writing - and rat breeding - tips with Harriet.

Inspired industrial designer, Assa Ashuach, takes Harriet back to the time when 3D printing was unheard of.

Join award-winning, ground-breaking synthetic biologist Professor Anne Osbourn and poet as she shares experiences and opinions with Harriet

From a family of artists, how Matt Tozer went from strength to strength in the sciences. 

Join Harriet as she chats with Fernando Gomollón Bel about his career journey and the co-founding of Agata Communications.

From the East End to Eton and from trading to teaching; Bobby Seagull shares the secrets to his success 

Ben Valsler talks to Harriet about the gift of great opportunities and how he makes the most of them.

Professor Gill Reid describes her academic life and gives advice to the new President of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Harriet Gould sits down with Dr. Marc Reid as he shares his experience of battling imposter syndrome in the workplace and how he managed to overcome it.

Bake-fresh chemist, Dr Josh Smalley, shares what it’s really like in the bake-off tent.

Harriet talks with Stephen Tomisich about what is was like building Trajan, from day one to IPO.

In this episode, Harriet chats with Timandra Harkness about her career, including her role as a member of the first UK comedy science double act. They also discuss her experiences attempting to fly on a trapeze and a notable guest appearance by a rat on her show. 

Professor Gracjan Michlewski explains how a profound experience changed his career path and what he thinks about scientific publishing.

What led Dr Emma Wilson from an Essex Esturay to the Royal Society of Chemistry 

In this episode, Harriet chats to Rt. Hon. Professor Michael Mainelli, Lord Mayor of the City of London about his career working in London and the impacts the lab industry has had on this. 

Entrepreneur Di Gilpin describes her unconventional career and what led her to being the CEO of a company that has the potential to revolutionise fuel consumption out at sea.

Award winning Editor of the Times talks to harriet about what he thinks makes good science journalism and how he feels about making a fool of himself!

Season finale: Journalist, Sarah Sands joins Harriet to explain her love for science and her great hope for the future of research.   Lab Matters is brought to you by PolyScience and their award-winning line of temperature control equipment. For over 60 years, PolyScience has been helping the world innovate, create and reach their full potential in labs across the world with their range of chillers, water baths, circulating baths and more. Quality, reliability, durability and sustainability are the core values behind every PolyScience product. Find out more at PolyScience.com.

Marc Abrahams tells Harriet about the evolution of the iG Nobel Prizes and shares the one thing he would change about science in the modern world.     Lab Matters is brought to you by PolyScience and their award-winning line of temperature control equipment. For over 60 years, PolyScience has been helping the world innovate, create and reach their full potential in labs across the world with their range of chillers, water baths, circulating baths and more. Quality, reliability, durability and sustainability are the core values behind every PolyScience product. Find out more at PolyScience.com.

Harriet speaks to Professor Richard Jones about financial crises, regional inequality and lays out his arguments for doing things differently.  Lab Matters is brought to you by PolyScience and their award-winning line of temperature control equipment. For over 60 years, PolyScience has been helping the world innovate, create and reach their full potential in labs across the world with their range of chillers, water baths, circulating baths and more. Quality, reliability, durability and sustainability are the core values behind every PolyScience product. Find out more at PolyScience.com.

In this episode, Gareth Crapper discusses learning chemistry at Leeds University, case studies from his past scientific achievements, looking into possible developments in the future, and more! 

Harriet discusses with Tom Cheesewright all about his career as a 'full-time Futurist.' Tom explains to Harriet his perspective on the future of the lab industry as a whole. Additionally, Tom recalls his experiences of writing books, the companies he has started over the years, and delving into the thesis behind the theory of the future. Furthermore, Tom shares a career highlight of when NASA called..  

In this insightful episode, Harriet chats with David Moreton, a retired lab manager and established inventor, about his process of designing and opening a fully functional synthesis lab with Lubrizol Limited. David recalls watching the expansion of his incredibly successful lab and then deciding to retire.