Lab Matters

S5 E6: From Ionic Liquids to the United Nations: A Life in Sustainable Chemistry

What does it mean to make chemistry sustainable?
In this episode of Lab Matters, host Jonathan Smith speaks with Tom Welton, the first Professor of Sustainable Chemistry at Imperial College London.
Tom reflects on his journey from a North London council estate to becoming a leading voice in sustainable chemistry. Along the way, he shares how early curiosity about atomic structure, inspiring mentors and the emerging environmental movement shaped the direction of his career.
The conversation explores the origins of sustainable chemistry, the science behind ionic liquids, and how global environmental thinking transformed the way chemists approach their work.
It’s a thoughtful discussion about curiosity, chance, and how scientific ideas evolve alongside the world around them.

S5 E5: From Neutron Physics to Science Journalism

In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet Gould speaks with Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum and former Science Editor at The Telegraph.
Roger’s career spans physics, journalism, bestselling books and decades of science communication. From researching ultra-thin molecular films at Oxford to covering the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and interviewing future Nobel Prize winners, Roger has spent his career explaining science to the world.
In this conversation he reflects on:
• Growing up inspired by the Apollo missions• Studying chemistry and completing a doctorate at Oxford• The unexpected path from academia into journalism• Reporting on major scientific discoveries and global events• Why curiosity and storytelling remain essential to science communication
It’s a fascinating look at how science, media and curiosity intersect — and why communicating science has never mattered more.

S5 E4: The Scientist Who Helped Shape UK Policy

In this episode of Lab Matters, we sit down with chemical policy strategist and toxicologist Camilla Alexander White to explore a career that spans industry, academia and the highest levels of scientific advisory.
From growing up as a young carer and discovering chemistry through fireworks and inspirational teachers, to advising the Food Standards Agency and contributing to international regulatory discussions, Camilla shares what it really takes to influence policy.
We talk about:
• The reality of being a woman in science in the 1980s• Why policy influence is built on relationships, not headlines• The long road from scientific idea to regulatory change• The ban on animal testing in cosmetics and the future of alternatives• Balancing industry, advisory roles and creative passions
This is a conversation about resilience, credibility, patience — and following your passion wherever it leads.

S5 E3: Blood, Germs & Expertise: How Science Really Changes

In this episode of Lab Matters, we step inside the Old Operating Theatre Museum with historian Dr Sophie Wearing to explore how science really moves through society.
Surrounded by 19th-century surgical instruments, we discuss everything from blood-stained surgeons and the slow acceptance of germ theory to the evolution of medical authority and expertise. Sophie reflects on how science professionalised, how knowledge spreads (often far more slowly than we imagine), and why some “truths” are only true within certain limits.
We also look forward - from vaccine breakthroughs during Covid to inequalities in pharmaceutical development, and even the possibility of an approaching AI “winter”.
This is a fascinating conversation about progress, power, and the human forces that shape scientific discovery.

S5 E2: Hope, Chemistry & the Art of Ambiguity: A conversation with Stuart Luke Gatherer

Artist Stuart Luke Gatherer reflects on creativity, chemistry, and meaning, exploring how science, symbolism, and paint intersect in his work.

S5 E1: The Technician Journey: Recognition, Progression & the Future of Lab Careers

In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet Gould is joined by STEM educator, technician and mentor Lawrence Dawkins-Hall (Science Council) for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what shapes a science career - and what needs to change next.
From early inspiration sparked by the Apollo missions and Attenborough, to the realities of working life in labs, Lawrence shares the highs, the hard lessons, and the turning points that led him to champion better recognition and progression for technicians. The conversation explores professional registration and chartership, the Technician Commitment, and why the sector needs stronger, clearer career pathways that let technical talent thrive without being forced away from the bench.

S4 E12: ChemDraw to GenAI: Revvity’s Pierre Morieux on AI’s next leap in the lab

S4 E11: From race cars to sous-vide, Philip Preston on precision & purpose

S4 E10: Business Manager David Oliva tells Harriet about how learning how to learn was different for him

S4 E9: Sam Carling MP tells Harriet about his move from science to politics

S4 E8: Silas Adekunle shows Harriet the human side of robotics

S4 E7: Dr Gilian Thomas talks to Harriet about becoming a lecturer at the University of Leeds

S4 E6: Alastair Gardner, Head of Trade and Investment, talks Harriet through some key moments in his career

S4 E5: Martin Johnson takes Harriet through his big move to Ireland and how his company, Ecodiversity, came about

S4 E4: Warren Packard tells Harriet why being a generalist works so well when it comes to investing

S4 E3: Sanjeet Nihal gives a personal perspective on failures and success, family pressures and the joys of innovation

S4 E2: Richard Peace takes Harriet through some key moments of his career in R&D and manufacturing

S4 E1: Charley Maxwell talks Harriet through how he built Orion GXP Consulting and navigated life along the way

EP 51: CEO and ceramist, Alastair Bremner, takes Harriet behind the scenes of his waste material tile company

EP 50: Ruth Kaufman OBE on the practical side of Operational Research

EP 49: Adam Rutherford joins Harriet for a candid chat about science, history, people and much more

EP 48: Would-be rebel, Ola Wlodek, on the Joy of peptide engineering

Would-be rebel, Ola Wlodek, on the Joy of peptide engineering.

EP 47: CEO Roughan Sheedy speaks to Harriet from the business side of science

CEO Roughan Sheedy speaks to Harriet from the business side of science

EP 46: Machine learning expert, Marcel Gehrung tells Harriet the one thing he does before confirming a single new hire

Machine learning expert, Marcel Gehrung tells Harriet the one thing he does before confirming a single new hire

EP 45: Meet the boy from Bedford who’s making the biologics of the future

Hear Ricky’s vision for the future of science - and much more!