Material World (radio programme)
Encyclopedia
Material World is a weekly science magazine programme on BBC Radio 4
on a Thursday afternoon, presented by Quentin Cooper
with contributions from scientists researching areas under discussion in each programme.
, the Imperial College
chemistry graduate. In September 2000 Mr Phillips was told that he could not work at the BBC any more, due to rules of impartiality, and his close links with the Labour Party. He was one of the few regular black broadcasters on Radio 4. From 2000, Quentin Cooper was drafted in.
From 5 April 2010 it was repeated on a Monday evening at 21.00. This was in the former slot of Costing the Earth.
For a short time, when programmes on 5 Live
began webstreaming
with video, Material World was also webcast
.
The topics discussed are not generally on repetitive subjects, but cover most aspects of science, no matter how many long words or jargon end up being used. The more controversial or revolutionary a piece of recent scientific work is, the more likely it is to be included into the programme. The programme does not attempt to sugar-coat any scientific stories, to avoid distress - if anything black humour
frequently surfaces. Quentin Cooper often ends the programme with a terrible, but scientific, pun
.
Many past-programmes are available for online listening via the program's web-site. Some sequential sets of programmes have been made in collaboration with the Open University
(OU).
was cancelled in 2003, Material World is one of the BBC's main conduit for up-to-date scientific news, along with Frontiers and Science in Action. However, in July 2009, the Bang Goes the Theory
series kick-started the BBC's science television once again.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
on a Thursday afternoon, presented by Quentin Cooper
Quentin Cooper
Quentin Cooper is a science journalist and current presenter of The Material World on Thursday afternoons and Connect on BBC Radio 4 less frequently on Wednesday nights...
with contributions from scientists researching areas under discussion in each programme.
History
The programme began as The Material World in April 1998, being presented by Trevor PhillipsTrevor Phillips
Trevor Phillips OBE chairs the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is a former television executive and presenter...
, the Imperial College
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
chemistry graduate. In September 2000 Mr Phillips was told that he could not work at the BBC any more, due to rules of impartiality, and his close links with the Labour Party. He was one of the few regular black broadcasters on Radio 4. From 2000, Quentin Cooper was drafted in.
From 5 April 2010 it was repeated on a Monday evening at 21.00. This was in the former slot of Costing the Earth.
For a short time, when programmes on 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
began webstreaming
Streaming media
Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...
with video, Material World was also webcast
Webcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
.
Structure
The programme can cover up to three or four topics, divided into 7-10 minute sections. For many years the programme was divided into two sections of fifteen minutes on separate topics. It takes the form of interviewing a guest scientist or engineer.The topics discussed are not generally on repetitive subjects, but cover most aspects of science, no matter how many long words or jargon end up being used. The more controversial or revolutionary a piece of recent scientific work is, the more likely it is to be included into the programme. The programme does not attempt to sugar-coat any scientific stories, to avoid distress - if anything black humour
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
frequently surfaces. Quentin Cooper often ends the programme with a terrible, but scientific, pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
.
Many past-programmes are available for online listening via the program's web-site. Some sequential sets of programmes have been made in collaboration with the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
(OU).
BBC science output
Since Tomorrow's WorldTomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
was cancelled in 2003, Material World is one of the BBC's main conduit for up-to-date scientific news, along with Frontiers and Science in Action. However, in July 2009, the Bang Goes the Theory
Bang Goes the Theory
Bang Goes the Theory is a British television science magazine series, co-produced by the BBC and the Open University, that began on 27 July 2009 on BBC One. Presented by Liz Bonnin, Jem Stansfield, Dallas Campbell and Dr...
series kick-started the BBC's science television once again.
See also
- The Naked ScientistsThe Naked ScientistsThe Naked Scientists is a one-hour audience-interactive science radio talk show broadcast live by the BBC in the East of England, nationally by BBC Radio 5 Live and internationally as a podcast. The programme was created and is edited by Cambridge University Pathology Department clinical lecturer...
- Science in Action - BBC World Service RadioScience in Action - BBC World Service RadioScience in Action is a weekly radio programme broadcast on BBC World Service Radio.-History:The program is believed to have officially become known as Science in Action in 1964...
- In Our TimeIn Our Time (BBC Radio 4)In Our Time is a live BBC radio discussion series exploring the history of ideas, presented by Melvyn Bragg since 15 October 1998.. It is one of BBC radio's most successful discussion programmes, acknowledged to have "transformed the landscape for serious ideas at peak listening time"...
- Association of British Science WritersAssociation of British Science WritersThe Association of British Science Writers is the UK society for science writers, journalists and communicators. It was founded in 1947...
- The Infinite Monkey CageThe Infinite Monkey CageThe Infinite Monkey Cage is a BBC Radio 4 comedy series. Starring physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, The Independent described it as a "witty and irreverent look at the world according to science".The show is into its fifth season....
- where irreverence meets science