'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.
Oxford Sparks Big Questions
Claim This Podcastby Oxford Sparks
4.7(24 reviews)
221 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
72
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality87
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement51
Podcast Overview
'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/7/2014
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72
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality87
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement51
8
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
9
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
14 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Show Notes Quality
3.0/5
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needs improvement
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Every 20 days
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Recent Episodes
June 17, 2026
How can we use AI to make drugs?
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style= "font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Put simply, most drugs work by binding to a protein and altering how they function. But how can we model how well a particular molecule will bind to a particular protein, and use that knowledge to help discover new treatments? In this episode, we talk to Prof Fergus Imrie from Oxford's Department of Statistics, who is one of the lead researchers on the OpenBind consortium. This project aims to create the world's largest open-access dataset of protein-ligand interactions, providing invaluable quantities of data for AI-driven drug discovery</span></p>
June 3, 2026
How do you build the aeroplane of the future?
<p>In 2022, 7% of the UK's total carbon emissions came from the aviation sector - a figure that's on the rise. This means that - while a flight is often the start of a well-deserved holiday - a lot of us feel at least a sprinkling of guilt over our carbon footprint. So, what if we could reduce the carbon emissions associated with air travel? In this episode, we chat to Dr Tamsin Whitfield from Oxford's Department of Materials Science, and hear about her research developing new metals, which will ultimately allow jet engines to burn hotter, increasing their efficiency. </p>
May 20, 2026
Should I be freaked out by the hantavirus?
<p>Until recently, most of us had probably never even heard of the hantavirus. Now - with memories of the global COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in our minds - it's only natural to feel slightly concerned about the new virus hitting our headlines. But are our worries justified? We chat to Dr Daniel Wright from the Oxford Vaccine Group, who develops vaccines against emerging outbreak viruses, to learn more about hantaviruses, and what they really mean for public health.</p>
221 total episodes available
Recent guests on Oxford Sparks Big Questions
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Dr Richard Mayne
Guest
Dr Annie de Bray
Guest
Dr Jane Gregory
Guest
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Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Oxford Sparks Big Questions?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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