I write and present documentaries for the BBC radio and television (highlights below), on evolution, genetics, anatomy, art and spider-goats. On radio, I present Radio 4’s flagship culture programme Start The Week, and was the host of Inside Science for 8 years. With my friend Hannah Fry, The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry, now on its 20th series. My most recent radio doc was on Long Covid, which aired in October. I’ve made programmes about AI and robotics; the inheritance of intelligence; on MMR and autism, the 20-year legacy of the MMR scandal; epigenetics; astronomy and art, scientific fraud, and the evolution of sex, and I’ve been a guest on 9 episodes of the Infinite Monkey Cage, and James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction. And a berzilion other things.
A six part series exploring the history of eugenics, from its roots in Victorian Britain, to paving the way to the gates of Auschwitz.
Brand new series, November 21st 2022.
BBC Radio 4’s flagship culture programme, every Monday at 9am.
I have written and presented BBC Radio 4’s flagship weekly science programme since 2013. Sadly, this photo was taken then.
Real, hard science, plus us being quite silly. Hannah and I investigate listeners’ essential questions, such as where in space could you cook a burrito, and what is the point of wasps… (moustaches optional)
The Beauty of Anatomy (BBC4, 2016)
A 5-part series on the story of anatomy and art, from Galen to Leonardo to Rembrandt to the present day, via Amsterdam, Windsor Castle, and Florence.
Horizon: Playing God (BBC2, 2012)
The incredible tale of the rise of synthetic biology, and scientists’ attempts to engineer life.
Freckles (right), a goat genetically engineered to make spider silk in her milk.
Space Shuttles United (2011)
On the retirement of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, I wrote and directed a video love letter to this incredible program: every single flight, in order. Music by 65daysofstatic - play it loud.
The Cell (BBC4, 2009)
The award-winning story of biology, from the origin of life, the discovery of cells, to our future on Planet Earth. Listed in the Daily Telegraph’s 10 Classic science programmes).
The Gene Code (BBC4, 2011)
Four billion years of life on Earth, and a tree of life comprising countless billions, all united by DNA.