Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe Joanna Durrant

In episode 192 Jo's special guest is Jules Howard, who is a zoology correspondent and author. He talks about his latest book 'Infinite Life' which is about eggs, evolution and life on Earth, including birds, fish and dinosaurs. 
Jo also talks to Prof Niamh Nic Daéid, who is Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and is the Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science. They discuss the future of forensics at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Faith Douglas in episode 191, to mark the Summer Solstice. Faith is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum in North Yorkshire and she is also the author of 'The Nature Remedy'. Jo and Faith talk about the plants we can enjoy and use at this time of year and how to have a closer relationship with the natural world, including bare foot walking, grounding and forest bathing. 
Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives, to find out about the new Green Pledge Project and learns the story behind a scrap book of wildflowers. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In a milestone episode 190, Jo presents a special edition of the podcast, on location at the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to a range of the speakers about subjects including space, genetics, maths, neuroscience, zoology and bubbles.
Guests featured: Prof Turi King, Prof Marcus du Sautoy, Dallas Campbell, Dr Meganne Christian, Ginny Smith, Jules Howard, Stefan Gates and Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 189 Jo's special guest is Rick Tonello, the Chief Astronomer at the Gravity Discovery Centre Observatory in Western Australia. He talks about his passion for space, dark skies, witnessing a total solar eclipse and the recent aurora activity. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. 
Jo also visits the Grant Museum in London, which is part of UCL, and has recently reopened after a refurbishment. She finds out the story of a 3D printed model of a tardigrade - a microscopic creature that can survive in space.
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell in episode 188 to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma talk about dementia, memory cafes, tips for revising for exams and if you can have a photographic memory.
Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator and public engagement trainer from Glasgow. He returns with another story from the Periodic Table and this time it centres on a place in Sweden.
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 187 Jo's special guest is Steve Darlow, who is a writer of books & theatre, a publisher and documentary consultant. He talks about his interest in history, including the role his grandfather had in the Second World War and he tells Jo about his theatrical productions including 'The Valentine Letters'. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.
Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of a 1930s fire engine that has been part of the collection for over 50 years but has never been on display. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.