Science Chatters

In this episode of Science Chatters, we celebrate an award winning film from one our UWE Bristol alumni as we explore the power of conservation storytelling.  We sit down with Peter Venn, leader of the MA in Wildlife Filmmaking, to discuss the craft of capturing the natural world on film and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science student, Saskia Barrows, interviews Tatiana McCabe, a recent MA graduate who took home the prestigious Gold 2025 Student Academy Award. Tatiana shares the story behind her award-winning documentary, Tides of Life, which follows the vital work of Richard Tesore and his marine rescue center, S.O.S Rescate de Fauna Marina, in protecting the coastal wildlife of Uruguay.

In episode nine of Science Chatters, we head into the field—and into the studio—as UWE Bristol’s MSc Science Communication students take their skills to the airwaves.Fresh from creating radio shows at the BBC studios, students bring us their radio packages. We hear from MSc student Evie Gardner, who explores the health of UK rivers with Dr. Lewis Campbell from The Rivers Trust, looking at how environmental DNA (eDNA) is helping scientists monitor pollution and biodiversity, and how this data can shape conservation efforts. MSc student Alice Thompson takes us to the ocean’s depths in her interview with Leo Richards, a filmmaker working with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Together, they explore the wonders of deep-sea ecosystems and the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

In the eighth episode of the Science Chatters podcast, we dive into the world of animal welfare during global crises as Professor John Hancock. Speaking with MSc in Science Communication student Brodie Goodall, Professor Hancock discusses insights from his latest book, Animal Welfare in a Pandemic: What Does COVID-19 Tell Us for the Future? This episode also spotlights an innovative conservation project called Vertipools, with MSc Science Communication student Sarah Adams. Sarah gives listeners an inside look at how Vertipools—small, artificial rock pools installed along seawalls—help create habitats for marine life in urbanized coastal areas. The feature delves into the science and creativity behind Vertipools and their potential to foster biodiversity in our cities. Plus, we find out about Love and Science, a radio show on BCFM where UWE Bristol's MSc Science Communication students get hands-on experience broadcasting science topics to a broader audience. With a mix of curiosity and love of the exploration of scientific ideas, Love and Science offers a unique platform for students to develop their communication skills while engaging listeners in the wonders of science.

In the seventh episode of the Science Chatters podcast we explore the Repair Café here at UWE Bristol. MSc student Casey Spry takes her air fryer to the Repair Café ay UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering to see if she can get it fixed and find out about the initiative run by students and community repair volunteers. The student community of making and repair builds on the links to the wider Bristol community repair movement, including with SPARKS Bristol, Eastville Repair Café and ongoing work with young community members from St Pauls and UWE Bristol STEM partnership projects in the city.

At UWE Bristol, staff and students get involved in all sorts of exciting field work and research. In this episode we hear about students carrying out field research in Madagascar and Dr Todd Lewis tells us about his explorations of amphibians in the tropics.

In the fifth episode of Science Chatters, we return with an exploration of science and theatre in the light of the new book Science & Theatre: Communicating Science and Technology with Performing Arts by Emma Weitkamp and Carla Almeida. We also hear about the award winning film Flight of the Puffin by UWE Bristol graduate Rakel Hansen. Rebecca Landon and Georgina Hayes, students from our MSc in Science Communication, provide the interviews. You can see Flight of the Puffins here https://vimeo.com/689874097 You can find out more about the Science & Theatre book here https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/science-theatre/?k=9781800436411