The Free Radical Cafe

Last post

2009-12-01T11:17:00.002+10:00

Since I have finally finished my book, I have decided to consolidate all of my web presence into my one site: RenegadeScience.com The whole site is undergoing a massive over haul with many changes happening over time. Hopefully by the new year it will be all done.

All future Free Radical Cafe notices will be there. The Free Radical Cafe will continue to air on the last Thursday of each month, with the next one on 31 December - yes I'll be doing that show which will be a special on the year in science; however, there is a chance that Gary Ashdown may make an appearance also that night. We finish by 20:00 so the night is still available for New Year's celebrations.

My book: The Open Agenda will also be available at my site.

I'll leave this site up for at least six months or so to help with the change over.

Thanks for reading and listening, with much more to come.

Cheers,
John

November show... and it's future

2009-11-25T06:56:00.002+10:00

On Thursday 26 November I'll have Cam Leitch from the Cyclone Testing Station on as my first guest between 19:00 and 19:30.

The CTS is located here at James Cook University and I'll be visiting Cam today to talk about our interview. I found it interesting to note that someone else at the CTS worked at RWD & I in Guelph, another wind tunnel facility. I didn't work at RWD & I but I did do a teacher internship programme there many years ago.

After Cam, Gay Ashdown will be back on from the Townsville Astronomy Group.

I'll be wrapping up this site for updates of The Free Radical Cafe because I've finally finished my book The Open Agenda and will be publishing it online at my website RenegadeScience.com (not the .tv is now changed, and you can read about that soon enough). I'll be moving this site's information to that web site but will leave this for connection's sake up for another six or so months. And I'll add the link as soon as I've got it running.

I thought it better to concentrate all of my activities to one web site instead of a few. So everything about me will be at RenegadeScience.com in the future.

With the Christmas/summer holidays here (I live in Australia for those who don't know) there will be nothing specific for the December show except that I'll do a "year in science" thing. My show airs on New Year's Eve so that seems fitting.

Stay tuned.

John

No October show

2009-10-10T08:36:00.002+10:00

Due to the fact that the TripleT AGM is on the same night as my show, there will not be a show for October.

I had considered doing the show a week earlier, but hadn't the time to find a guest.

The next show will be on 26 November.

In addition, over the next few months I'll be transferring this blog to my personal site at RenegadeScience.tv (which itself will revert to RenegadeScience.com shortly). I've stopped producing videos so I might as well use the simpler site.

John Daicopoulos

September 2009

2009-09-24T08:24:00.003+10:00

First let me apologize for being so distant over the past few months, time has entirely slipped out of my grasp - and yes I thought I did have a grasp of it, at least for myself.

On tonight's show (writing this on the day of my show illustrates how behind I am) will be Dr. Aimee Norton, a James Cook University solar astronomer, who also has an office across the hall from me. We've been talking about Aimee appearing on the show for quite some time and tonight we'll get it done. It looks like we're going to be talking about the solar cycle and/or why there seems to be a very low minimum to this particular cycle season (every 11 years approximately).

I'll write a post-show comment this time - something I've been lacking in doing with many other episodes.

And it also looks like Gary Ashdown will be back with the Townsville Astronomy Group for a monthly update on what's visible this month in and around the Townsville area.

Finally, since my writing for this blog has been so infrequent I think I'll switch to writing these postings on my personal web site Renegade Science. I'll just add these posts into my regular blog. I guess it's probably better to have everything at once site rather than scattered around. It might keep my focussed on writing more often too.

Thanks for your understanding.

John Daicopoulos

August

2009-08-29T08:28:00.002+10:00

I really cannot fathom just how busy I have become over the last month. Full time Lecturer at James Cook University in the School of Physics, part-time Lecturer in the School of Law (yes you read that correctly - it's too long to explain now), and still Editor for Australian Physics. And those are just my paying occupations. Then there's the volunteer ones, like The Free Radical Cafe and my other radio show on TripleT.

Anyways, August flew by and there was a chance that I would not have anyone on my show simply because I could not find someone that piqued my interest; but lo and behold I came across Helene Marsh. She had just received (by announcement only so far) notice that she was granted the 2009 Aldo Leopold Award from the American Society of Mammalogists.

It is an award that was granted in its inaugural year (2003) to E. O. Wilson of Harvard University. Of course I was delighted to have Helene come on the show.

Helene's work focuses on the conservation efforts and science of marine mammals of northern Australia, particularly dugongs, dolphins and minke whales (which entirely coincidentally are all part of the volunteer exhibit at the Museum of Tropical Queensland right now where you can hear me because I did the voice overs for the videos - yes I volunteer there too!)

Helene and I had a fascinating chat about the problems between the way scientists and politicians look at issues, and particularly how scientists need to adapt our ways to convey our information. This is a topic dear to my heart and I hope to cover it with other guests in the future.

Thanks to Helene Marsh for coming on the show.

John

The July show

2009-07-28T21:36:00.003+10:00

This last month has been one of the longest I've had between shows, and I've enjoyed the time away given all of my other endeavours over the same period. Nevertheless, the show is ready to go for 30 July.

It'll be all music in the first half-hour 18:30 - 19:00, then, from 19:00 - 19:30 my recorded interview with Jon Stephenson, author of Crevasse Roulette: Trans Antarctic Expedition 1957 - 1958. This book is a re-counting of the first successful land crossing of the Antarctic via the South Pole. Interviewing Jon over the weekend was a real treat and seeing someone so passionate about the Antarctic - a place I long to visit with it's stark beauty and climate. I've bought the book and look forward to reading it soon.

In the last half-hour 19:30 - 20:00 my regular visit from Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group.

It would appear that the streaming is now working again, so click hear to listen in during the above times - Brisbane time that is. Let me know if it does not work.

Enjoy the show.

June wrap-up

2009-06-26T11:09:00.002+10:00

Last night's show was another delight.

I used the first half-hour to play music with a bit more of a beat, slightly off from my usual tastes, but I think it was a good idea - hey, no one complained! Played some Pavlo, Santana and Jimmy Dludlu.

The second half-hour was taken up with my interesting interview with CSIRO scientist Kostas Alexandridis. This was a slight departure from some of the hard core science topics I've covered, but it was perfectly needed. I've looking to diverge in small ways and my talk with Kostas on some of the more human aspects of culture and behaviour was timely. Thank you Kostas.

And finally, at the end of my interview with Kostas I had to step outside to see if Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group had shown up - we had had a small lack of communication (ok, I had forgotten to call him), so I was not sure if he was showing up. Fortunately he did and we had another good interview.

Gary had mentioned a few things that I wanted to include on the blog. First he was not sure exactly when their next viewing night out at Pallaranda would be, so make sure you visit their site to check on that.

The other topic was about the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and their future web streaming of the Orbiter's intentional crash landings on the Moon.

I've got some ideas for a longer running series on education, but I'll let you know as soon as I've worked that out.

John Daicopoulos

The June show: human dimensions in science

2009-06-23T07:01:00.002+10:00

This week, Kostas Alexandridis from the CSIRO will be in talking about the human dimension behind resource management and environmental change. How these changes affect the cultural, social and behavioural aspects of life, particularly in Indigenous and remote communities.

I am looking forward to adjusting the direction of the show, and Kostas seems like a perfect candidate for the change. Kostas is also part of the Scientist-in-Schools programme and we'll get into that as well.

John Daicopoulos

June events

2009-06-13T21:09:00.002+10:00

Looks like I've got June planned already, and I'm very excited about it; but before I tell you about the 25 June event I'd like to tell you about the event next week.

Maths, Physics, Chemistry, other Senior Science Teachers and interested parents are meeting to discuss new QSA Syllabi and other problems facing teachers of maths and science.

7 pm Tuesday 16 June 2009

Room 201 Maths/Physics Building DB017

Organized by Prof Peter Ridd, Department of Physics, JCU and AIP

Facilitated by

Prof Richard Keene, Department of Chemistry, JCU and RACI
John Daicopoulos, AIP, Editor of Australian Journal of Physics
Dr Govinda Pandey, Engineers Australia, JCU, and Atlantic Civil

This meeting to be run jointly by representatives of Engineers Australia (EA), the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) is aimed at providing a forum for discussing ways to improve the delivery of Maths and Science at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels.

Topics for discussion will include, but not be restricted to.

(1) The new QSA syllabus
(2) Problems with teacher numbers, training and retention
(3) Effects of the lack of university prerequisites on student numbers at high school

EA, RACI and AIP representatives will use the input from the forum to make a representation to the government of suggested improvements to our education system.

If you want to have your opinion heard, please come to the meeting.

Enquiries to Peter Ridd 0747814978 peter.ridd@jcu.edu.au

Hope to see you there.

May recap

2009-05-29T09:11:00.002+10:00

I have to admit that last night was one of my best shows. Everything seemed to go well: the timing, scheduling, sound, I even feel I was more relaxed than in any of the other shows. Why? Can't really say, but it felt good.

I am glad to report my interview with Livio Regano went well (as it was recorded, but I was happy to hear that my editing of it was also well done.) My only regret was that I had to cut the interview short (long for what's been normal on the show). We were just getting into the deeper and more meaningful area of climate change and I could tell Livio had wanted to express more here.

Livio and I will return to this topic in the future, when we get another chance. He was a delight to speak with and I look forward to another time.

And the ever committed Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group was back for the last half-hour. This segment too went very well with its timing and discussion. Gary is proving to be a good regular guest.

I had mentioned two other science presentations this week:

Science on the Strand
Sunday 31 May at 2:30
Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club
Dr Andrew Johnson
Exec. Dir. of Medical Services, Townsville Health District will be talking about Preparing for pandemics.

and

JCU along with the ABC's Cafe Scientific will be hosting: Dengue, Flu, and FNQ: what should we do?
This is with Prof Rick Speare from JCU (who appeared on my show last month, see April) and Dr Scott Ritchie JCU/Queensland Health
Wednesday 3 June at 7 pm
Victoria Park Hotel 266 Boundary St.

I will be at both events. See you there.

John

The May show and streaming

2009-05-20T06:06:00.003+10:00

I am pleased to announce that next week's show, 28 May, will feature an interview I recorded with Livio Regano, Channel 7's Meteorologist. It took some effort to arrange the time and location, but Livio was superb in making accommodations to meet. This piece will air in the 19:00 to 19:30 time slot on the 28th May.

Hopefully Gary Ashdown will be back for more astronomy talk also.

I have been negligent in thanking Prof. Rick Speare from JCU for April's talk on the swine flu pandemic. He was a strong guest and helped to ally some of the fears, and ignorance, of the swine flu in particular, and the flu in general. Thank you Prof. Speare.

Regarding the streaming of the show. TripleT is still having difficulties with its streaming software, but that only means it sometimes works and sometimes does not - it worked as I wrote this blog, just so you know. So keep trying.

I have learned to record all interviews and may just start posting them myself, likely on my Renegade Science site. Stay tuned for more on that.

Again, if you have any suggestions for speakers, pass it along to me.

John

The April show: Swine Flu

2009-04-26T19:33:00.002+10:00

My how time flies since the last show; it has been a wild month for me with so much on my plate.

As a result I was considering not having anyone on the show simply because I was too busy to arrange it. Maybe someday I'll have a producer, researcher and engineer helping me out - ya right, in my dreams.

Anyways,Prof Rick Speare from James Cook University will be on (the first half-hour) to talk about the swine flu outbreak that has just happened in Mexico.

It was very timely to meet Prof Speare. I went to JCU's monthly Science on the Strand talk where Prof Speare was talking about biosecurity. Perfect.

In addition Gary, and maybe David, from the Townsville Astronomy Group will be back to talk about their experience with four (five?) days of public astronomy also down on the Strand.

Looking forward to the show. Be there this Thursday 30 April from 18:30 to 20:00.

If you have been listening via the streaming, then you may have to move to the Townsville area, soon. We have been having technical difficulties with the server so it is offline for now. I'll keep you posted. (But I have learned how to record interviews while I do them live, so maybe I'll be able to upload them eventually.

John

March recap

2009-03-30T14:32:00.003+10:00

My apologies for taking so long to make this post, but not surprisingly I have been very busy. At the same time as I was planning and hosting the March episode, I was also finishing up the latest issue of Australian Physics (as the Editor) and was also just finishing up teaching an intensive course in Negotiations at JCU (now for the marking of assignments).

Nevertheless, I've finally managed to find time for the March wrap-up.

Ewen McPhee and Ed Slaughter from the Museum of Tropical Queensland were my guests on the first half-hour. We had an informative and relaxed discussion about the Langley Collection of Dive Helmets and how these and other dive helmets will play a role in the Museum's future.

My thanks to Ewen and Ed for finding the time to come on the show. I am hoping more staff from the Museum will find the time to come on in future months.

And Gary from the Townsville Astronomy Group (not Club) managed to not only fulfill his monthly duties but also found someone to join us, Dave. We talked about the group's upcoming activities revolving around International Year of Astronomy. In particular, the group will be hosting free astronomy nights with scopes set up at the north end of the strand on the nights of 2 - 5 April just after dusk. Let's see everyone there shall we.

John

February wrap up

2009-02-27T12:31:00.004+10:00

I had a wonderful show last night. Sometimes the stars do line up nicely, even though I don't believe that crap - it's a nice cliche nonetheless.

Dr. Wendy Pearce from the Dept. of Speech Pathology (JCU) was well spoken and a delight to talk with, full of information. We had a pleasant conversation on stuttering - something I still do, and noticed I did more last night than usual. Oh well, such is life.

Dr. Pearce mentioned a few contacts for those of you interested in seeking assistance for you, a child or someone you know. You can call 07 4781 6490 or visit the Speech Pathology web site.

For those of you who live or work with those who stutter, give them some time and space to say their words, and for children use positive encouragement when things go well.

After Dr. Pearce, Gary returned from the Townsville Astronomy Group to talk about getting your scopes back out after a wet and humid summer packed up. He mentioned some great resources to get you up and running as well.

Thanks again Gary, and to Dr. Wendy Pearce as well. A great show.

John

February's lineup

2009-02-17T14:58:00.002+10:00

I have just completed the lineup for February's show, Thursday 26 February.

In the first half-hour (18:30 - 19:00 Brisbane time) Dr Wendy Pearce, Head of Speech Pathology from JCU will be my guest. We'll be focussing on a topic dear to my heart: stuttering. For those who know me, you may find it strange that I indeed stutter, but over many years have learned to change my manner of speaking to accommodate it. That, and many other ideas, will be covered in my discussions with Dr. Pearce.

In the last half-hour (19:30 - 20:00) Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group will return for the year to talk about all matters astronomical. Since this past wet season has been exactly that, wet, this evening's show will probably focus on resources, cleaning up and readying your scopes, and whatever other matters Gary feels are necessary (and can fit into about 20 minutes).

I'm very much looking forward to this show. Little by little, I am getting my feet on firmer ground as the show progresses.

John

PS I have jokingly begun to call the show the JCU show, since the only guests to appear, other than Gary, are all from JCU; however, I have made a number of attempts to recruit members of AIMS, GBRMPA, and other places, but so far to mo avail. Please, if you are interested in appearing (and have a science role), or know someone from the Townsville region, then get in touch with me via this site. Let's spread the love shall we!

Happy Birthday Darwin

2009-02-11T13:08:00.002+10:00

Normally I wouldn't care too much about scientist's birthdays, I am not a sentimental man over such things. Nevertheless, this case, and this time it's different.

12 February will be 200 years since Darwin's birth and the fact that it coincides with 150 years since publication of On the Origin of Species makes it special, this time. Truth be told, there is much to his birth that goes to his success, namely the family into which he was born, i.e. a wealthy and well connected family. Those conditions played an important role into his education, his peers and most importantly his opportunity to hitch a ride on the Beagle.

To be fair, all credit goes to him for his writings, observations and conclusions based on that education, peer-relations and his ride on the Beagle. But other things do help from time to time.

In the news today we read that the Vatican has decided to smooth, and clear the waters over their position on Darwin's work. Most of us would say either: It's about time. Others would say: So what. Both responses are legitimate given the Vatican's ambiguity, not only over this issue, but on other scientific issues. Their silence has been partly culpable for the growth of Intelligent Design, though admittedly, many supporters of ID are also anti-Catholic. Hopefully, more clarity will arise from the Vatican on matters scientific, but time will tell.

Note: By clarity I don't imply support for science, just that the Vatican reduce its ambiguity over science issues. Even if I disagree with them.

February's Show: Still working on guests, but will hopefully have Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group to talk about all kinds of astronomical news and directions.

The show airs on the 26 February from 18:30 to 20:00 Brisbane time.

Evolutionary Genetics show

2009-01-30T12:20:00.003+10:00

Last night's show was a delight for me. Ross Crozier, Prof of Evolutionary Genetics from JCU, proved to be full of enthusiasm and depth.

We began our talk with a short history of Darwin's development from mere observer of nature, to one who could assemble his data and thoughts into a supremely cohesive document: On the Origin of Species. Prof. Crozier outlined the influences and impetus behind this great final release, as well as the reason for supplementary editions.

Pro. Crozier provided wonderful segue into his work on sociobiology and the evolutionary genetics of social insects, and how this applies to humans.

Most interviews last about 10 minutes, but this one just kept going and I saw no reason to end it before it was done well.

Many thanks to Prof Ross Crozier.

I mentioned an upcoming public lecture to be held at the Cairns campus of JCU, so here it is:

The Evolution Revolution: Celebrating the Life and Work of Charles Darwin
By Dr. Darrell Kemp
Thursday 12 Feb
5:30 start with wine and cheese, talk begins at 6:00
in the Crowther lecture Theatre

At this point I have not heard if there will be a video link here into the Townsville campus, but I'll let you know if there is.

Next show in 26 Feb.

John

An evolutionary year to come

2009-01-28T12:17:00.002+10:00

...and that will be the topic, though with a little less hyperbole, of Thursday's show.

I'll be speaking to Ross Crozier, a Professor of Evolutionary Genetics at James Cook University from 19:00 to 19:30 or thereabouts.

Tune in, and after the show I'll place some more updates on how and where to celebrate this year in evolution.

John

A new year

2009-01-27T07:31:00.002+10:00

I have been away for much of the last six weeks, travelling around North Queensland, seeing Neil Young live in Brisbane and spending some time in Airlie Beach; but I am back now with a show planned for this Thursday, 29th January.

An update will follow shortly.

John

December 18 Episode

2008-12-18T10:55:00.003+10:00

One week ahead of the usual last Thursday of the month (due to Christmas), tonight represents my third episode of The Free Radical Cafe.

As mentioned before, I will be airing the two interviews with Prof Ian Whittingham (see Some Good Some Bad).

As part of tonight I'll be playing a few Christmas songs, but also covering such news items as The World Meteorological Organization's Annual Report 2008, it certainly proves an interesting read and is full of easily adaptable statistical data for everyone to corrupt in their own ways; and a story from BiologyNews called 'Hobbit' fossils represent a new species, concludes University of Minnesota anthropologist which continues this debate nicely.

And as this is the end of the year, there are always "lists" to deal with, so in keeping with the times I'll mention the The Top 10 Scientific Discoveries 2008 from Time Magazine, and Scientific American's 2008 in Photos--10 Biggest Science Stories

I'll update this blog posting throughout today and this evening as I add to it.

A little absence

2008-12-11T19:33:00.002+10:00

Yes I know it has been quite some time since I've written, but writing here at The Free Radical Cafe is not the only place I've been absent from.

I spent the last week in Adelaide at the 18th Congress for the Australian Institute of Physics. I had a wonderful time listening in on some wonderful lectures, great topics, and just plain chatting with others. I managed to plug the journal as much as I could, and I hope this will garner some writing on their part.

Anyways, there will be another Free Radical Cafe next week on the 18th of December, the Christmas show...interesting as an atheist isn't it? But good music is good music. Didn't George Carlin say something like "...the only good thing that came from religion was gospel music"?

I have done my best to adjust the previous recorded interview with Prof. Ian Whittingham and hope all will go well this time. That is all I will have on this time. I had planned another one, but was just too busy this week to research and record it.

Hopefully the new year will usher in some impetus to write and produce more.

John

Hawking goes to Perimeter

2008-11-28T09:28:00.003+10:00

What a great way to wake up this morning, especially after my minor tragedy with last night's interviews to read the news that Stephen Hawking is heading off to the Perimeter Institute as a visiting researcher.

I used to attend The Black Hole Sessions on Saturday mornings at Perimeter. As I understand it now, these have been canceled, or postponed until further notice. Richard Epp lead some wonderful and eye-opening discussions.

All my best to Perimeter and kudos for the grab. There are so many other great physicists there, like Lee Smolin, and I hope they are not over-shadowed by Hawking's presence.

Some good, some bad

2008-11-28T09:10:00.003+10:00

First, let me apologize to Ian Whittingham for the technical problems I experienced last night with his recorded interview. I know what the problem was but it was too late to fix it last night.

The recordings will be fixed and will air on my 18 December episode. In the meantime I'll try upload the recordings here as Whittingham (part 1) and whittingham (part 2) so you can hear them ahead of then. Stay tuned.

Ian and I were talking about this year's Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to Nambu, and jointly to Kobayahsi and Maskawa for their work on the origins and mechanisms of broken symmetry in the Standard Model.

A list of the other physics Nobel Prizes can be found here.

Thanks again to Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group for another interesting talk. Gary, or someone from the Group, will be back early in 2009.

In addition, here is a wonderful site about some of the activities that can and will be done during the International Year of Astronomy 100 Hours of Astronomy. Previous posts will direct you to the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Thanks again to everyone who helps and listens. The next show (18 December) is in the planing stages, with the obvious addition of Ian Whittingham's interviews to air.

John

Episode 2 is ready

2008-11-24T22:18:00.002+10:00

I had not remembered how quickly a month could pass. For some of you, you might recall my previous work with Renegade Science Television, a to be resurrected entity (eventually) and how much work I had to do to generate, write, shoot, edit and post each episode with a once a month self imposed schedule. Well each episode of The Free Radical Cafe is beginning to feel the same.

This month's show will have two guests: Ian Whittingham, Prof of Physics from James Cook University, and Gary Ashdown from the Townsville Astronomy Group.

Prof Whittingham and I have recorded an interview about the upcoming Nobel Physics Prizes 2008. I am not too sure about the sound quality, since we recorded it at his office on my computer, but maybe with a little techno-tweaking I'll fix it by Thursday.

Gary and I will do another live interview on matters relating to astronomy, both locally and internationally.

Along with these guests I've got a few news items to share, an announcement for JCU Science on the Strand, and a feature I am going to call For The Record, where I fix or adjust a piece of science news improperly reported in the media. Got one planned already.

I hope you listen in on 103.9 TripleT in Townsville, or via the net by clicking here.

John

PS, I would really appreciate some suggestions for guests and other ideas. If you live in the Townsville area then get in contact with me via this site.

Now this is worth getting excited over...

2008-11-14T06:50:00.002+10:00

I will talk about the discovery and process behind it on my show on the 27 November.

You can read the full NASA story here.

Where do all the good female physics students go?

2008-11-10T21:16:00.003+10:00

This is my editorial from the November - December issue of Australian Physics.

If I were to look over the grades from all of the students I have taught, particularly those in the top 5 – 10%, without a doubt in my mind there would be a (virtually) perfect correlation between the percentages of male to female students overall compared with males to females in the top 5 – 10%. In other words, over my career female students have performed as well in senior physics, grades 11 and 12, as my male students have.

On the other hand, whereas I would need both hands to count the number of male students who have chosen to pursue studies in physics directly out of secondary school, I would not need a single finger to count the number of female students who chose to study physics. Granted this is an anecdotal observation, but one that I would hazard to guess most physics teachers would share, sadly.

To be clear, the issue is not that female students do not choose to pursue physics as an academic and/or career choice, obviously they do; it is that the number of female students who choose to pursue a career in physics is terribly disproportionate to the number of male students who make that choice given that both have proven themselves to be on par intellectually and academically. So why do female secondary students avoid studying physics at university?

A number of organisations and institutions, like L’Oreal’s Women in Science series, make great effort promoting the abilities and achievements of women once they have entered tertiary physics. In addition look at Tanya Monro, not only was she AIP’s candidate for the Women in Physics Lecture Tour 2008 (see The Joy of Physics page 194), but receives this year’s Malcolm MacIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year 2008. Next year’s AIP WIP Lecturer is the equally deserving Christine Charles (pages 195 – 198). If that were not enough read about Penny Sackett’s appointment as Australia’s Chief Scientist (page 187) or Sophie Vitesnik’s budding interest in physics (page 204); and let us not forget our AIP President Cathy Foley.

But a physics life is not always a breeze for them. Tanya Monro writes about the struggles confronting the need for women physicists to engage the public, and therefore be a visible role model for young women: “For women in physics, these barriers to engagement can be even greater, especially when we try to juggle family with the excitement (and demands!) of a career in physics. This only compounds the issues for increasing the participation of women in physics at all levels.”

But surely these same problems afflict those in biology, chemistry, medicine and engineering. Can female students and academics in those disciplines be any less encumbered by their sex and family roles as women in physics? Are they any less devoted to their families or careers than female physicists? Obviously not, so again, why do female secondary students avoid studying physics at university?

Could it be simply that there are more female biology and chemistry teachers compared to the number teaching physics? Was it really my (female) students’ unfortunate circumstance that I was their physics teacher and that is why none of them pursued physics? I am going to find out in what amounts to a most unscientific questionnaire by asking former female students that “…if I had been a female teacher, with all of the same teaching characteristics, style and personality (as much as that is possible), would you have considered a career in physics any more or less than you did?”

I’ll get back you.

John Daicopoulos

The first show is done

2008-10-30T21:25:00.002+10:00

Thank you so much to everyone who participated on my first show: Peter Ridd, Zoe Richards, and Gary Ashdown.

Peter and I started the program with an introduction to the The Australian Environment Foundation and its principles and goals. We talked about the mechanisms of debate and how they related specifically to science in regards to climate change. This was not about specifics, but about process. Clearly we had much to agree upon and Peter is obviously a level headed scientist; having said that we still disagree on the human role in climate change, but agree on the positive role nuclear power can play in the future.

Thanks Peter.

Zoe Richards from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies talked about her recent paper Rare Corals Breed their way out of trouble. We focused our talk on how these changes to Acropora coral breeding patterns affected their chances of survival, particularly during environmental challenges. The original paper published in PLoS can be found here. This was clearly the most scientific interview. I think it went well and Zoe is very well spoken, and well deserved to be so.

Thanks Zoe.

And finally, I spoke with Gary Ashdown from The Townsville Astronomy Group. I can't really say that I was that much better at conducting interviews after only two of them, but clearly Gary's comfort and demeanor helped to make me equally comfortable. It was a great interview. We chatted, and it really was a chat about the Group, its plans for International Year for Astronomy 2009, and how to get involved with the Group.

Thanks Gary.

I was more stressed over this evening than any other I have done to date. To keep track of questions, answers, sponsor breaks, and keeping music ready at-hand when the interview ended was a real challenge. I think I pulled it off.

Now to plan for the next one on 27 November.

Please visit the sites above, and I'll talk to you then.

John

Why a cafe?

2008-10-28T22:05:00.002+10:00

I love coffee and I miss the hours I would spend with friends solving the world's problems over a cup or two...if only the rest of the world would have listened, but I digress.

It is my hope that over time the show will actually play recorded interviews that have taken place over a coffee. These interviews could be recorded in someone's home or office, or if my dreams could really take off, then have them recorded in a cafe that also sponsors the programme.

If you have any suggestions, especially if you run a cafe in Townsville and would be interested in sponsoring the programme, then drop me a line via this site.

John

Comments

2008-10-28T21:43:00.002+10:00

It has been my intention from the start to ensure that this program remains firmly planted in the realm of science. It will cover issues relevant to science, made relevant by science, and those that affect the way science is performed. As such there will be many topics, guests, and comments made by my guests and/or myself that may get under your skin. So be it. It is, in fact, called the "free radical" cafe for a reason.

I look forward to your commentary on these matters as they strike you. Nevertheless, commenting on this site is not your right, it is a privilege I grant you. All comments will need approval by me before they will be posted; any offensive, rude, impolite, dismissive or disrespectful comments will not pass onto the screen. Yes, I and I alone will be the sole arbiter.

It is your right to comment in any way you choose on your own site(s). This site will remain clean and open to respectful arguments only.

John

First show falling into place

2008-10-17T12:55:00.003+10:00

Ok Ok I know it's been a long time since I last wrote here, but there hasn't been much to report until now.

The first show of the Free Radical Cafe will air on 30 October from 18:30 to 20:00 on Triple T 103.9 FM Townsville.

At the moment it looks like I'll have a discussion with a member of the Australian Environment Foundation; a physicist talking about the Nobel Prize in physics, and possibly the start of a monthly "what's up in the night sky" discussion from an amateur astronomer.

Love to know that you'll tune in.

If you're from the Townsville area I'd love to get some suggestions about others to interview, and other possible regular items.

John

The new show

2008-09-07T17:31:00.000+10:00

Greetings friends.

This is the first post for my new radio show: The Free Radical Cafe

The Free Radical Cafe is a new science show to air on the last Thursday of each month beginning in October on 103.9FM Triple T in Townsville, Queensland. Streaming will be available at 4TTT streaming.

The show will run from 18:30 to 20:00 local time.

Stay tuned for more information.

John Daicopoulos.