Improbable Science

Improbable Science

Brian Cox and Robin Ince discuss some of the more unlikely and odd avenues of research travelled down in the name of science. For example, the British physicist who calculated the optimal way to dunk a biscuit into a cup of tea without it disintegrating too quickly. Or the brain researchers who demonstrated that they could detect meaningful brain activity... in a dead salmon. All these academics share something in common, not just a slightly quirky application of the scientific method. They have also been a recipient of the now infamous Ig Nobel prizes, awarded each year as a parody of the Nobel Prize, to research that seems at first glance, entirely improbable, and possibly pointless. Robin and Brian are joined on stage by the organiser of the Ig Nobels, Marc Abrahams, comedian Katy Brand and biologist Professor Matthew Cobb, from the University of Manchester, to ask whether all scientific exploration is valid, no matter how ridiculous it may seem at first glance, or whether there is genuinely something to be learned from observations that to many, may seem pointless.

Producer: Alexandra Feachem Presenters: Robin Ince and Brian Cox.

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Episoder(239)

Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty

Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty

Brian Cox and Robin Ince referee as Saturn and Jupiter square up to each other in a planetary face-off. Representing Team Saturn is space physicist Professor Michele Dougherty, and in the opposite cor...

12 Mar 202542min

Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston

Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston

Robin Ince and Brian Cox venture into the captivating and surprisingly mysterious realm of ice. Joining them on this cool adventure are former ice dancer Darren Harriott, glaciologist Liz Morris, pola...

5 Mar 202542min

How selfish are we really? -  Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones

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Brian Cox and Robin Ince kindly open the door for each other as they step into understanding altruism, asking why humans have evolved to help each other. Joining them to explore the human tendency to ...

26 Feb 202542min

Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Phil Wang, Ana Ferreira and Chris Jackson

Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Phil Wang, Ana Ferreira and Chris Jackson

Brian Cox and Robin Ince slice deep into the lesser-explored world beneath us. To join them on the journey from the crust to the core they are joined by seismologist Ana Ferreira, geologist Chris Jack...

19 Feb 202542min

An Unexpected History of the Body

An Unexpected History of the Body

Brian Cox and Robin Ince uncover the unexpected history of the body in the archives of the Royal Society with special guests Prof Helen King, Sir Mark Walport, Keith Moore and Ed Byrne. Together they ...

25 Des 202442min

Is Extinction the End?

Is Extinction the End?

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig into de-extinction asking, could we and should we resurrect creatures of the past? They are joined by geneticist Adam Rutherford, palaeontologist Susannah Maidment and com...

18 Des 202442min

Fantastic Elastic

Fantastic Elastic

Brian Cox and Robin Ince expand their knowledge of elasticity with Olympian Bryony Page, comedian Jessica Fostekew & experts Dr Anna Ploszajski and Prof James Busfield from Queen Mary University of Lo...

11 Des 202442min

The Science of Baby Making

The Science of Baby Making

Brian Cox and Robin Ince investigate the science of baby making - don’t worry, all theory, no practice! They are joined by Professor Joyce Harper, Dr Ben Steventon and comedian Sara Pascoe to discuss ...

4 Des 202442min

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