Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20091210 | 20100512 (R4) | Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work. He wants to know how an individual scientist's personal, psychological and intellectual qualities map onto their chosen area of science. How much of a scientist's personality is reflected in their work? Should subjective private beliefs be a part of objective scientific outcomes? What happens if tensions develop between a scientist's beliefs and the formal demands of science? If tensions arise, how can they be resolved? Stephen meets medical consultant Philip Kilner. Philip first trained as a doctor and then left medicine and retrained as a sculptor, concentrating on water sculptures and fluid dynamics. He then returned to medicine. Philip is now a Consultant and Reader in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. One of his water sculptures, Single Cavity Flowform, is on display at the hospital. Philip talks to Stephen about the combination of artistic and scientific insights help him interpret images of the heart. Stephen Webster talks to medical consultant Philip Kilner. Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their work |
| 02 | 20091217 | 20100513 (R4) | Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work. He wants to know how an individual scientist's personal, psychological and intellectual qualities map onto their chosen area of science. How much of a scientist's personality is reflected in their work? Should subjective private beliefs be a part of objective scientific outcomes? What happens if tensions develop between a scientist's beliefs and the formal demands of science? If tensions arise, how can they be resolved? Stephen meets Clare Lloyd, Professor of Respiratory Immunology, who runs a busy medical research lab at Imperial College, London. Her lab investigates asthma and how allergens can inflame nasal airways, especially in small babies. Clare talks to Stephen about the pressures of running a research lab, and how she goes about providing her team with a productive working environment. As a Principal Investigator, Clare has to encourage and inspire her researchers. She also has to secure finance for her research projects and make sure the lab runs smoothly and effectively, because ultimately, Clare's success as a scientist will be judged by her academic results. Stephen Webster talks to Professor Clare Lloyd, who runs a medical research lab. Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their work |
| 03 | 20091224 | 20100514 (R4) | Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work. He wants to know how an individual scientist's personal, psychological and intellectual qualities map onto their chosen area of science. How much of a scientist's personality is reflected in their work? Should subjective private beliefs be a part of objective scientific outcomes? What happens if tensions develop between a scientist's beliefs and the formal demands of science? If tensions arise, how can they be resolved? In this programme, Stephen meets zoologist Andrew Gosler. For more than 25 years, Andrew has been studying the Great Tit population in Wytham Wood near Oxford. Andrew greatly respects the animals he studies and the environment they inhabit. He finds inspiration working so closely with nature, and that inspiration motivates his scientific enquiries. But Andrew accepts that scientific description can only ever provide a partial description of reality. Science will never encapsulate Andrew's own, private and unique relationship with the world he studies. Stephen Webster talks to zoologist Andrew Gosler. Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their work |