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This week, we explore the growing role of Policy Fellowships in connecting research, Government and public policy, increasing the impact of research on public and private sectors, and the evolution and success of UKRI’s policy fellowship programme. We are joined by Public Policy Coordinator. Alice Tofts and Honorary Professor Huw Morris, both from University College London (UCL).

This week, we are exploring biology and policy. What issues are at the forefront of policy discussion in biology? How have these changed over the years, and how does policy work impact our day-to-day life? To discuss this, we have Laura Marshall, Head of Science Policy at the Royal Society of Biology, (RSB) and Sana Zakaria, Director of Emerging Technology and Resilience at RAND Europe, and member of the RSB’s Education and Science Policy Committee.

This week, we are exploring maths in society. What contribution do mathematical jobs make to the economy? How can we support curiosity-driven research? And how can maths be used as a tool for policymakers? To help unpick this is Dr Vinesh Maguire Rajpaul. Based at the University of Cambridge, Vinesh works as Research and Policy Lead for the Academy of Mathematical Sciences.

This week, we are exploring maths in higher education. Maths has long been the most popular subject at A level, but the landscape of maths in higher education is evolving rapidly. How has this affected who chooses to study maths at university, where do maths graduates end up, and what does the future of maths education look like? To discuss this is Professor Catherine Hobbs, Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at the University of Bristol, and Honorary Secretary for Education at the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

This week, we are exploring maths in schools. Is the way we teach maths keeping pace with an increasingly data-centred world? Does the current system provide all students with the mathematical skills they will need? And what does the future of maths education look like? Joining us is Professor Jane Clarke, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Biophysics at the University of Cambridge, and Chair of the Royal Society Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.

This week, we explore equality of opportunity, changing stereotypes around disability, a pioneering staff network, and how institutions can embrace disability for what it can bring to science. We have Research Scientist in Medical MR Imaging Physics at The University of Manchester and Chair of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks, Dr Hamied Haroon on the podcast to discuss this.

This week we deep dive into a new report published by the RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) on the impacts of climate change on UK birds. With recent heatwaves a reminder that our planet is changing, the new report explores how the climate crisis is already impacting UK birds and why restoring nature is key to their future. We are joined by Simone Mordue from the RSPB Conservation Science team and co-author of the report, and Bethany Chamberlain, RSPB Senior Policy Officer.

This week, we dive into public attitudes to science, representation, ethics, and what young people are saying about STEM. To help us to explore all of this, we are joined by the Chief Executive of the British Science Association, Hannah Russell.

We explore evidence with Dr Sam ElBadry, Policy Projects Coordinator at Sense About Science. He talks to us about the importance of strong scientific evidence, the public’s view, and how evidence is used in Parliament and in policy decision-making.

This week we are joined by Saul Klein. With 32 years of experience as a founder, CEO, investor, and policy advisor across the U.K., Europe, Israel, and the US, Saul helps us explore the UK innovation ecosystem, his career and in particular, how he advises the government on supporting companies to scale up. Thank you to FST podcast volunteer and Civil Service Fast Streamer, Geena Goodwin for hosting this episode.

This week, we talk to Professor Tyler Kelly, Pure Mathematics Professor and UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellow at Queen Mary University London, about their role as co-Chair of LGBTQ+ STEM. We also explore a pioneering mentorship scheme and what meaningful allyship looks like within the wider scientific community.

This week we are exploring AI for science (and what this means), using super computers in research and what this changing landscape means for UK Universities. To discuss this is Liz Wainwright, Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at Edinburgh Innovations which is part of The University of Edinburgh.

This week we explore pesticides- how do we balance protecting the food we eat on a mass scale, with environmental and health issues? Could natural chemistry, based on plant-derived molecules offer some solutions? Chief Executive of Eden Research, Sean Smith joins us to investigate.

In this episode, we chat to Nick McKeown, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, about building a sovereign AI chip design industry in the UK. Nick led the Council for Science and Technology (CST)'s recent letter of advice to the government (Aug 25) on building a sovereign AI chip design industry. He explores the skills needed to ensure the UK has the workforce pipeline in place, such as specialised university courses in chip design. Thank you to our podcast volunteer and Civil Service Faststreamer, Geena Goodwin for coordinating and hosting this episode.

This week we are exploring how science can shape policy and the mechanisms within parliament which inform policy decisions with scientific evidence. Our guests are Jenny Chapman, Biology and Health Advisor for the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and 2026 Foundation Future Leader, and Annie O'Brien, PhD candidate at The University of Manchester and POST fellow.