Looking at the way science is portrayed in the media, whether this is good bad or just plain amusing. 

I know it does not seem like the trendiest thing to like but really enjoy listening to the radio, especially talking radio. I started on BBC Radio Four in my early teens and have never stopped listening. I love how easy it is to access and the BBC puts out a wealth of fascinating radio shows for free. Now I am aware that there are loads of scientific podcasts around but I want to share some of the amazing science based programmes I have enjoyed from my favourite station, BBC Radio 4. Hopefully this may introduce you to something new for you to enjoy. 

COVID-19 has made epidemiologists and virologists of us all! Actually, there are two main reason that I have resisted adding my two pence’s worth. Firstly, there is so much information out there about it that I feel like I would be just needlessly adding to it. Secondly, does anyone care what I think?

Now from my perspective as someone trained in molecular biology, I feel I should know more about this than the average person, but I realise I know a lot less someone specifically trained for this. But is there anyone who has trained for this?

I think that is one of the problems. Some scientists will have studied viruses how they replicate, others will be specialists in healthcare system responses, and other still will be experts in modelling the effects in populations.

 In 2015 this discovery made the headlines around the world  

Scientists figure out how to ‘UNBOIL’ an egg – EGGSTRAORDINARY! 

and

Scientists discover way to unboil an egg – and the results are not as pointless as that sounds 

Now I believe this a great example of a couple of issues, scientists having make their discovery interesting enough that it is reported in the media, and some people’s preconception that scientists are occupied studying things that have no bearing on normal life. Notice how the second headline tries to combat this second issue.

How science is covered in the news is very important. The majority of people are only exposed to science when it hits the headlines. It is a form of scientific out-reach. Even if you consider yourself to be scientifically literate, the chances are that you pick up new developments from a news outlet, be that catching it on TV, a national paper or a specialised scientific magazine. Now I am not a journalist, and I am not going to demonise how journalists report the science. They have their own pressures and demands which as a non-journalist I cannot appreciate, but that doesn’t stop me considering the repercussions of their work.