Climate comedy works − here’s why, and how it can help lighten up a politically heavy year in 2024

Jokes can be a healing contagion as they expose hypocrisy, spark laughter and open minds.

Beth Osnes, Professor of Theatre and Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 29, 2024 • ~7 min

Could a couple of Thai otters have helped the UK’s otter population recover? Our study provides a hint

Research has revealed how British otters may have been able to recover from species loss in the 1950s with the help of otters from Asia.

Sarah du Plessis, PhD Candidate, Cardiff University • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 • ~6 min

Jo Brand translated my science. I’m certain that comedy can connect people to climate change

Climate scientist Mark Maslin pairs up with comedian Jo Brand to explain the urgency of the climate crisis. Together, they find that humour cuts through in ways that plain facts just can’t.

Mark Maslin, Professor of Natural Sciences, UCL • conversation
Feb. 19, 2024 • ~7 min

Lunar science is entering a new active phase, with commercial launches of landers that will study solar wind and peer into the universe’s dark ages

Projects under NASA’s CLPS program will probe unexplored questions about the universe’s formation.

Jack Burns, Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 • ~8 min

I wrote a play for children about integrating the arts into STEM fields − here's what I learned about encouraging creative, interdisciplinary thinking

Is it a STEM education or a STEAM education? Integrating arts into science programming and vice versa can pique kids’ curiosity − a play touring Michigan aims to do just that.

Rob Roznowski, Professor of Acting, Michigan State University • conversation
Jan. 12, 2024 • ~8 min

Otters, beavers and other semiaquatic mammals keep clean underwater, thanks to their flexible fur

The bottoms of boats and docks can accumulate lots of dirt, but semiaquatic animals like otters avoid having ‘fouled’ fur. Their secret could one day help keep underwater infrastructure clean.

Andrew Dickerson, Assistant Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 • ~4 min

Dark energy is one of the biggest puzzles in science and we're now a step closer to understanding it

The nature of dark energy remains one of the biggest puzzles in cosmology.

Robert Nichol, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, University of Surrey • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 • ~6 min

Privatised Moon landings: the two US missions set to open a new era of commercial lunar exploration

The Peregrine and Nova-C landers are due to carry out valuable science at two diverse lunar locations.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 2, 2024 • ~8 min

How a Victorian trip to Palestine spurred modern ornithology – and left it with imperial baggage

H.B. Tristram was a Victorian clergyman and ornithologist who categorised a list of birds he’d found in Palestine.

Jasmine Donahaye, Professor in English Literature and Creative Writing, Swansea University • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 • ~7 min

How a colonial trip to Palestine spurred modern ornithology – and left it with imperial baggage

H.B. Tristram was a Victorian clergyman and ornithologist who categorised a list of birds he’d found in Palestine.

Jasmine Donahaye, Professor in English Literature and Creative Writing, Swansea University • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 • ~7 min

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