What does it take to survive on the driest inhabited continent on Earth? Indigenous people have tens of thousands of years of knowledge about this, but their place in the conversations about water planning and management are often tokenistic at best, or worse, completely absent. Bradley Moggridge wants to change that. He's a Kamilaroi man and hydrogeologist, and he knows Indigenous knowledge needs to be central to Australia's water future. Want to join the audience at our next live show?...

To protect our heads in a crash or collision, we wear a helmet. But what about if we need to protect a building? That's probably too big for a helmet… Engineer Tatheer explores creative solutions to these big problems. We have some upcoming live Ockham's Razor shows! We're heading to Melbourne, Huon Valley and Sydney. Check them out and join the audience here. 

When it comes to conservation, it's easy to get excited about protecting creatures that make you go "aww". Like, "aww, what a fluffy koala!", or "aww, what a cute lizard!"

What’s the most important human invention from history? The wheel? Fire? How about… language and culture? Archaeologist Sam Lin takes us on a tour of very early human history, featuring an item that crops up too regularly to be an accident: an almond-shaped piece of sharpened stone. Sam's talk was first broadcast in February 2022. 

No one likes having their ideas taken for granted, without recognition or pay. For First Nations Australians, their expansive knowledge is often used without proper consultation or respectful communication.  So how do we tackle the problem?  Tahlia, a Ballardong Whadjuk and Wajarri Yamaji engineering student, shares her thoughts. 

Here on Ockham's Razor, our soapbox for science, we try to bring you science that's deeply applicable to your daily life.

When it comes to mental health, we're so much better as a society at talking about it than we used to be.

Corey decided to be a scientist, no matter what anyone else said. It ended up taking him on some life changing adventures. Now, he's using his love of science to make sure all kids, even in the most remote parts of Australia, have the chance to achieve their dreams.

This week's episode is one for the true crime podcast fans.  Paola is a forensic entomologist meaning she uses bugs to help solve murders.  So, what can the bugs tell us? Just a heads up, this episode includes descriptions that get a bit gruesome. Listen with care. 

We often think of sharks as villains -- but as far as humans vs sharks go… we're the bad guys.

People who want to be a scientist, should have the opportunity to pursue a career in science - right? Well, there are barriers that make it much harder for some people to become the scientists they dream of being. Today, Linda Agnew explores how we can create equitable opportunities in STEM for people with disabilities. 

It's the perennial question when it comes to considering the universe – could there be life on other planets?

They're the unwanted hiking companion that is trying to suck your blood.  Today, Charlotte tells us about why ticks want to follow us home.

Callum is thinking about the future of freshwater systems in Australia. They're full of life, within and around the water. But how do we protect these waterways when humans also rely on them?  Callum Donohue explores this careful balance. 

To plan conservation efforts, scientists need to know what species are in an area, how big the populations are, how they interact... The list goes on.  But what happens when the creatures that need conserving are so small you can barely see them? Today, Lisa Kirkendale explores the importance of taxonomy in conservation, and why even the tiniest of creatures need attention. 

Jacob is no stranger to becoming immersed in the world he's researching. He's a nanotechnologist, so things are about to get tiny. Today, Jacob Martin explains why his research requires a balance of the real and virtual worlds of scientific experimentation.

We've all looked at the night sky in the hope of seeing a shooting star, but today's speaker looks at the ground to find meteorites! Ellie Sansom explains what it takes to go on a meteorite hunt in the Australian outback. Next live show: The next Ockham's Razor live show is in Brisbane on the 24th of March. You can find tickets here. We'd love to see you there!

Bias is usually regarded as something to avoid in scientific research, but that doesn't always have to be the case. James Hill explores the role his lived experience as a queer Ngarrindjeri man plays in his research, and what can be gained by inviting bias into science. Next live show: Ockham's Razor is coming to the World Science Festival in Brisbane and we'd love to see you there. You can find tickets here. 

When you think of Australia's most famous coral, the Great Barrier Reef likely comes to mind.  But there's a coral reef ecosystem in the north of WA that also deserves attention. Today, Zoe takes us on a journey to the corals of the Kimberley region, to tell us why they give her hope for the future of coral populations globally.

What can stories tell us about science? And what science can we explore through stories? This week, science writer Lauren Fuge asks us all to imagine the future of science. 

What is a task for AI and when does a human need to intervene? And when is a compassionate response better than an accurate one? These are the big questions explored by today's speaker, Carolyn.  Next live show: The next Ockham's Razor live show is in Perth on the 22nd of February. Find all the details and tickets here. 

Having a voice in conversations that concern your experiences is vital, especially when it comes to First Nations health.  Today, Kim Morey explores what an inclusive future in healthcare looks like.  Next live show: Our next live show will be in Perth on the 22nd of February. Find tickets and more info here. 

Would you rather have rat, shark or snail teeth?  Turns out, they all have characteristics that could be used as inspiration for human dentistry.  Dentist Greg explores the future of dentistry and what we can learn from the animal world. The next Ockham's Razor live show is in Perth in February! You can find details and tickets here.

How do you organise a community health program when no one speaks the same language?  When researcher Renly was faced with this question, she worked on a creative solution.  This week, Renly Lim explores using theatre to communicate science.  The next Ockham's Razor live podcast event is coming up soon! We'll be in Perth in February. You can find details and tickets here. 

Susan Woods wants you to put her out of a job. And she's not even asking that much of you – in fact you may have already done your bit. Susan is a gut cancer researcher. If everyone who was eligible did their bowel screening test, she'd probably be unemployed. But just in case, she's looking into solutions for the worst prognosis bowel cancers and conscripting certain microbes to help her do it. Speaker: Dr Susan Woods Senior research fellow, Gut Cancer Group, SAHMRI Host:  Tegan...