Podcast back as voice for students’ research

Science Notes Podcast has relaunched on OAR FM, highlighting the work of the University of Otago’s graduate students.

Host Dr David McMorran is a senior teaching fellow at the university’s department of chemistry.

Since 2010, he has presented his informal programme of conversations with students from departments across the division of sciences, exploring their work, their study experiences and their interests.

After a break of several months from the radio and podcast series, Dr McMorran redoubled his efforts to enlist interview subjects and now has fresh episodes lined up several months ahead.

The series was recognised by a Division of Sciences Outstanding Community Engagement award in 2020.

In 2019, Dr McMorran was recognised with a National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award by Ako Aotearoa.

Dr McMorran said the purpose of the podcast was to highlight science research through the voices of the students who are doing the work.

"Students get to share their work with audiences here and around the world, while gaining valuable experience in communicating science in a lay person-friendly way."

A new episode of Science Notes Podcast airs on 105.4FM and 1575AM every second Thursday at 6.30pm, replayed the following week at the same time.

Podcasts are available from oar.org.nz and other major platforms.

A full schedule of OAR FM programmes can be found at www.oar.org.nz