Podcasts by Category

Government & Organizations

News & Politics

Religion & Spirituality

Science & Medicine

Society & Culture

Sports & Recreation

The Discovery Pod Podcast

The Discovery Pod Podcast

The University of Adelaide

Education, Science & Medicine

Hemp houses, disease-detecting dogs, and robot swarms inspired by wasps; In 2022, The Discovery Pod is exploring bold new ideas.

Join us in conversation with host Andy Lowe and researchers at the forefront of innovation, as we uncover ingenious solutions to society's most pressing challenges.

So, how can we make tomorrow, better today? Let’s find out.

For more information on host Andy Lowe and guests click here.

You can contact the team at The Discovery Pod here: podcast@adelaide.edu.au.

Episodes released fortnightly, hit follow to stay up to date.

Brought to you by the University of Adelaide.

36 - Accelerating Australia’s defence capabilities. How do we prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today? With Dr Sanjay Mazumdar.

0:00 / 0:00

1x

36 - Accelerating Australia’s defence capabilities. How do we prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today? With Dr Sanjay Mazumdar.
From muskets and biplanes to artificial intelligence and satellite defence systems- warfare in the 21st century presents challenges and opportunities that countries all over the world are scrambling to understand.
Tue, 09 May 2023
35 - From box-ticking to goal-kicking. Achieving workforce diversity with Dr Valerie Caines
Neurodiverse people and older Australians are finding themselves overlooked and underemployed by HR departments across the country.
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
34 - Turning waste into worth. What role can activated carbon play in our circular economy? With Dr Lewis Dunnigan
Activated carbon- you can find it in food, face masks, water filters and even gold mines, but one Australian start-up is working to help activated carbon find is place in our circular economy.
Tue, 28 Feb 2023
33 - Can we revive extinct ecosystems with music? Exploring the ocean orchestra with Dr Dominic McAfee
Shellfish reefs once framed Australia’s coastline from Noosa to Perth, but today they’re considered functionally extinct. So why are some researchers turning to music to bring these decimated habitats back to life?
Tue, 07 Feb 2023
32 - Understanding carbon credits. Are our offsets off track? With Professor Michelle Waycott
Australia’s carbon offset scheme is designed to cancel out emissions produced by big polluters and bring the country closer to net zero, but is it working?
Tue, 24 Jan 2023
31 - How can we build better care for men’s mental health? The conversation Australia needs to have. With Professor Deborah Turnbull
In Australia, the number of men dying by suicide is almost double the number of lives lost on our roads every year.
Tue, 10 Jan 2023
30 - Dedication or deception? How greenwashing impacts us all. With Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray
66% of consumers are willing to pay more money for products and services that are ‘sustainable’. But a brand’s environmental and social policies don’t always align with what they put on the packet…
Tue, 27 Dec 2022
29 - How can we rethink reoffence? With Dr Julie-Anne Toohey
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time? Our current attitudes to crime and punishment in Australia sees 45.2% of prisoners reoffending after just 2 years of being released.
Tue, 13 Dec 2022
28 - Our fuel for the future? Breaking down green hydrogen. With Professor Greg Metha
What is green hydrogen and why has it caught the attention of governments, industries and billionaires alike? This week, host Professor Andy Lowe chats with Professor Greg Metha from the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. Greg’s research in this area is working to deliver a more sustainable future and has led to exciting partnerships with Sparc Technologies and Fortescue Future Industries.
Tue, 29 Nov 2022
27 - The computer will see you now. Can AI fill the gap in our mental health care system? With Associate Professor Carolyn Semmler
Could artificial intelligence fill the gap as our nation faces a dangerous shortage of mental health clinicians? Virtual therapy offers affordable and on-demand mental health support, allowing people to access treatment before it’s too late.
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
26 - The Business of Innovation. What does it take to bring big ideas to market? With Dr Stephen Rodda
How do we build academic and commercial environments that foster great ideas and catapult them onto the world stage? Join us in conversation with our host Andy Lowe and Dr Stephen Rodda, Chief Innovation and Commercialisation Officer at the University of Adelaide.
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
25 - Is blue carbon the answer to lowering emissions? The science of sinking carbon. With Dr Alice Jones
Hydrogen, solar, electric vehicles and carbon capture are all terms you’ve probably heard when conversation turns to reaching net-zero emissions. But what about blue carbon? This week, host Professor Andy Low chats with Dr Alice Jones, a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide.
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
24 - How can we decode disease with scent? With Dr Anne-Lise Chaber
How can dogs revolutionise the way we detect and profile new and evolving diseases? Has the answer to prompt disease identification been under our noses the whole time? This week, host Professor Andy Lowe chats with Dr Anne-Lise Chaber, Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Science and One Health Expert.
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
23 - Biomimicry: Engineering inspired by nature. With Dr Noune Melkoumian
Mimicking the power of the insect world, engineers at the University of Adelaide are researching the potential of swarm robots and other technologies inspired by the natural world, for a variety of applications from mining on the moon to complex rescue missions. This week, host Professor Andy Low sits down with Dr Noune Melkounian a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering.
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
22 - Can we build a greener future with plants? With Professor Rachel Burton
Did somebody say hempcrete? From domestic housing to city skyscrapers, plant-based materials cut reliance on scarce resources and construct comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient buildings. This week, host Professor Andy Lowe sits down with Professor Rachel Burton, who studies plant science at the University of Adelaide School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
21 - Welcome to The Discovery Pod
Join us in conversation with host Andy Lowe and researchers at the forefront of innovation as we uncover ingenious solutions to societies most pressing challenges. So, how can we make tomorrow, better today? Let’s find out.
Tue, 01 Nov 2022
20 - Fertile ground
The female reproductive conditions endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome make life incredibly uncomfortable for a huge number of Australian women—up to 9% and 13% respectively. Compounding matters, they’re both notoriously hard to diagnose.
In our final Pod for 2021, join our host, Isobel Marshall, as she discusses the conditions’ tell-tale signs—and powerful new ways to improve their identification—with two leading researchers in the field: Associate Professor Louise Hull and Senior Research Associate Jodie Avery.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 23 Sep 2021
19 - Standing firm
Malevolent influence and interference between nation states has always been a ‘thing’. But in the digital age, it’s gone to a whole new level. Our societies are more connected than ever, with countless governmental processes now taking place online, making it worryingly easy for foreign actors to sow the seeds of domestic division and unrest.
So how big a threat does this information warfare pose to our democracy? And what can we do about it? Our host, Isobel Marshall, dissects the latest intel with Associate Professor Tim Legrand, an expert in cyber security, terrorism, and political violence and exclusion.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 23 Sep 2021
18 - Moon boot
Powering up human life on the Moon is widely considered the ideal first step towards long-term crewed planetary exploration—and it could feasibly happen as soon as this decade. So what might life look and feel like up there? What challenges will lunar dwellers face? And how are we addressing them?
Our host, Isobel Marshall, separates sci from sci-fi with off-Earth resources specialist Associate Professor John Culton, and architect Dr Amit Srivastava.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
17 - Mining hope
Ironically, humanity’s push for sustainability will require greater quantities of mineral resources than ever. To reach the UN’s Sustainable Development goals by 2050, for example, we’re going to have to mine more copper in the next three decades than we have in the entire history of civilisation. How can we do that sustainably?
Our host, Isobel Marshall, unpacks the issues with environmental engineer Professor Michael Goodsite, and PhD candidate Tom Payten, whose work focuses on the development of real-time, mineral-specific sensors.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
16 - Hard to swallow
We all know what we eat has an enormous impact on our health. But do Australia’s standardised dietary guidelines and health star ratings always have our best interests at heart? Is food labelling sending clear, consistent messages? And what are we to make of claims such as ‘organic’ or ‘non-genetically modified’?
Our host, Isobel Marshall, unpacks the issues with behavioural economist Professor Wendy Umberger, and ophthalmologist, 2020 Australian of the Year and vocal public health advocate Dr James Muecke.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
15 - Superstars of STEM
The invitation-only Superstars of STEM program is a nationwide initiative that challenges gender assumptions about scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians, and raises public awareness of the amazing work that women are doing in these fields.
In this lively episode, host Isobel Marshall chats with three current Adelaide STEM Superstars about their remarkable research and career journeys: ecology expert Dr Samantha Munroe, oncology support specialist Dr Hannah Wardill, and optical engineer and med-tech inventor Dr Jiawen Li.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
14 - Cleaning up the farm
Australia’s farmers are increasingly turning to transient migrant labour to keep their properties running. For the migrants, who earn a visa extension for their efforts, it would seem a fantastic opportunity. But for many, the reality is below-award wages, sexual harassment and sub-standard living conditions.
Our host, Isobel Marshall, is joined by Associate Professor Dr Joanna Howe, a leading expert on the regulation of temporary labour migration, to discuss the complex factors contributing to the problem, and how it can be addressed.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
13 - Cancer counsel
Improvements in breast and prostate cancer screening have played a huge part in reducing the diseases’ mortality rates. But some say the screening has actually become too good—leading to lives being compromised by treatment for cancers that may never have become malignant.
Join our host, Isobel Marshall, as she discusses this important issue—and what’s being done about it—with breast cancer expert Associate Professor Theresa Hickey, and prostate cancer specialist Professor Lisa Butler.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
12 - Post plastic
Our march to sustainable living is gathering pace. With Australia’s environment ministers banning all single-use plastics from 2025, an explosion of eco-friendly alternatives is emerging. And similar innovation is taking place in the construction industry.
Join our host, Isobel Marshall, as she discusses everything from rye-stalk straws to fungi-based packaging and recycled bitumen, with two University of Adelaide experts: plant molecular biologist Professor Rachel Burton, and sustainable construction specialist Professor Jian Zuo.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
11 - Vax unpacked
Vaccinations are the global frontline in public health. So how do they protect us from disease? What are the different ways of making them? And why were COVID-19 vaccines able to be made so much faster than others?
Join our host, 2021 Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall, in conversation with microbiologist Professor James Paton, and vaccinologist Professor Helen Marshall.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
10 - Genetically Modified Foods
Unnatural, Harmful and Unsafe? Does genetic modification really have a role to play in our food futures?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 10 Dec 2020
9 - Cyber Security
Cybercrime and Digital Warfare – how do we get tech savvy to secure our lives online?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tue, 01 Dec 2020
8 - Music and Technology
The Power of Music. How technology is helping us immerse, interact, and realise music's benefit?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 26 Nov 2020
7 - Food and Water Security
Access to food and water is set to become the next conflict horizon. So how do we secure the future of food and water for all?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, 20 Nov 2020
6 - Renewable Energy
Cracking the code – finding new ways to power our nation and drive the manufacturing economy.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wed, 11 Nov 2020
5 - Pregnancy and Parental Health
The gift of life.
How do we build healthy habits today, to give our children the best start in life.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 05 Nov 2020
4 - Artificial Intelligence
The rise of the machines – what does it mean for us today? And how will it change the way we live tomorrow?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 29 Oct 2020
3 - Nutrition
Forget fad diets – what should we be eating, and does this need to change as we get older?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, 23 Oct 2020
2 - Climate Change
Welcome to The Discovery Pod, where we talk to leading experts from the University of Adelaide about solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
Climate change is here to stay. From devastating drought and bushfires, to floods and rising sea temperatures and levels - Australia is all too familiar with the extreme impacts of climate change. So what should we be doing today to live for tomorrow?
Join us this episode to discuss Climate Change with host Andy Lowe, Douglas Bardsley (senior lecturer and expert in climate change adaptation), Melissa Nursey-Bray (Head of Social Sciences and specialist in urban adaptation and Indigenous resource management) and Adriana Milazzo (senior lecturer and investigator of the relationship between heatwaves and infectious disease).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 15 Oct 2020
1 - COVID-19
Pandemic Panic - Why has COVID-19 been so devastating globally and what impact it is having on our younger generations? Is there light at the end of the tunnel and how do we create a new normal?
Join us this episode to discuss COVID-19 with host Andy Lowe, Faye McCallum (Professor and expert in teacher and student wellbeing in the face of uncertainty) and Michael Beard (Associate Professor and specialist in viral pathogens).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, 08 Oct 2020

Show More Episodes