The Naked Scientists: Science Radio and Naked Science Podcasts

The Naked Scientists:
Science Radio and Naked Science Podcasts

Cambridge University professor Chris Smith began The Naked Scientists radio show and Web site in 2000, with international podcasts following in 2005. The physicians and scientists involved in this effort wanted to promote science to the general public in an entertaining fashion, and they have clearly met this goal. They embraced the idea of social media before the term became ubiquitous, allowing fans to participate in online discussion forums in numerous science categories, follow

The Naked Scientists or share content via Twitter, Facebook, etc., call the radio show with questions, and more. As a BBC science radio program, The Naked Scientists is broadcast live weekly on Sundays in the eastern region of England, simultaneously streaming through the Internet or a mobile device. Broadcasts and articles on the Web site discuss topics in a wide range of areas including astronomy, archaeology, biology, chemistry, general science, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, physics, and technology. Many of the radio shows have a Kitchen Science segment in which listeners are encouraged to attempt the experiment at home. Web site visitors can listen to or view over 1,000 interviews with scientists.

As of 2011, there have been over 17 million podcast downloads, which are free from Yahoo!, Google, or iTunes. With a compatible player, one can receive "enhanced podcasts," which include illustrative images and chapters. Previously broadcast shows are available from the Web site or iTunes. Site pages load quickly, and navigation is a snap. This reviewer listened to several podcasts and found them interesting and easy to understand. Similar sites include Scientific American's Science Podcast, with a weekly show and 60-second weekday science news stories, and NPR's Science Friday Neither offers the variety or depth of information that Naked Scientists does. Summing Up: Recommended. General and academic audiences, all levels; two-year technical program students. -- M. S. McCullough, Monroe Community College. Reviewed in ACRL's September 2011 issue of  CHOICE.