Back

Science is…
revealing secrets of
the microbial world

Watch the video

Science is…
For everyone,
For Enjoyment,
For Enlightenment

About Oxford Sparks, brought to you by Oxford University.

Science is…
Exploring Mars

Listen to the podcast

Science is…
Uncovering the secrets
of the brain

Listen to the podcast

Science is…
Investigating e-cigarettes as a tool to stop smoking

Watch the video

Science is…
Understanding Mosquito Behaviour

Watch the video

Science is…
Protecting vulnerable species

Watch the video

Science is everywhere...
start here

View all content
Media

Our Latest Videos

Science is Everywhere…
Feed your curiosity and watch it here

View all videos
Dr Georgia Drew against a background image of bacteria.

Parasites: From Foe to Friend

By definition, parasites are bad news. The word ‘parasite’ is used to describe any organism that lives on –…

Play now
Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking? Image of a 'no-smoking' sign on a teal background.

Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking?

Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking? Keeping on top of the evidence. The messages surrounding e-cigarettes, or vapes, are…

Play now
Maisie Vollans against a background image of mosquitoes.

Understanding Mosquito Behaviour

What’s the most dangerous animal in the world? A grizzly bear? A lion? A poisonous tree frog? … How…

Play now
Behind the Scenes in the 'Cell Lab'. Image of Lizzie, a petri dish of cells and a key.

Behind the Scenes in the ‘Cell Lab’

Ever wondered what it’s like to work in a research laboratory at Oxford University? 🔬🧬 Join PhD student Lizzie…

Play now
The Chagos Brain Coral

On the Edge of Existence: Rediscovering a Lost Coral

“I had been waiting so long to have access to these reefs again, to see whether this species had…

Play now
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s superalloys!

Did you know that aeroplanes are able to fly because of tiny, TINY structures, less than the width of…

Play now

The Big Questions Podcasts

Science is Everywhere…
Listen to our question busting series here

Listen to our podcasts
View all podcasts
Mars. Featured image for podcast episode "How were new craters on Mars discovered?"

How were new craters on Mars discovered?

When a space rock smashes into the surface of a planet, a hole – or crater – is formed.…

Play now
"What makes the human brain so special?"

What makes the human brain so special?

We often hear that we’re remarkably similar to our primate relatives, both in terms of our genetics and our…

Play now
Dry and cracked earth.

Why is the UK still in a drought?

Here in the UK, we have a reputation for grey, drizzly weather. But there’s no denying that this summer…

Play now
Stars and galaxies. Featured image for podcast episode "Why is the James Webb Space Telescope a big deal?"

Why is the James Webb Space Telescope a big deal?

Are we alone in the Universe? What exactly lies at the centre of our galaxy? Just like our podcast,…

Play now
Steel tubes in a workshop

What is green steel?

Steel has become an essential commodity in modern society – used in everything from our cars and our buildings…

Play now
How do you create autonomous robots that can investigate under the sea?

How do you create autonomous robots that can investigate under the sea?

How do you retrieve data from sensors embedded in underwater settings – such as those monitoring ecosystem change, for…

Play now

Meet the Scientists

Science is Everywhere…
Discover the people behind it here

View all profiles
Georgia Drew profile image

Georgia Drew

I’m a biologist interested in the evolution of symbioses between animals and microbes. The majority of animals form associations…

View profile
Rogier Mars profile image

Rogier Mars

I am originally a psychologist—a scientist interested in human behaviour. During my PhD at the Radboud University Nijmegen (the…

View profile
Profile image of Anna Murgatroyd

Anna Murgatroyd

I am a post-doctoral research associate at the Environmental Change Institute in the School of Geography and the Environment…

View profile
Nicola Lindson profile image

Nicola Lindson

In 2008 I saw an advertisement for PhD studentships at a new research centre that would be investigating issues…

View profile
Ailsa Butler profile image

Ailsa Butler

I studied biological sciences as my undergraduate degree. The job I got after university with the All-Party Parliamentary group…

View profile
Maisie Vollans profile image

Maisie Vollans

My main research interest is how we can use our knowledge of vector (e.g. mosquito) behavioural ecology to prevent…

View profile
Programmes

Our Programmes

Showcasing science participation.
See it in action here

Explore our programmes

Latest News

Science is Everywhere…
On the pulse updates you won’t want to miss

View all news

Synthetic fibres discovered in Antarctic samples show the ‘pristine’ continent is now a sink for plastic pollution

Polarised Light Microscopy image of polyester textile fibre found in one of the Antarctic samples. Image credit: Nekton 2022.…

Read article

New research facility launches to develop the next generation of advanced functional materials

The NTCF addresses a key research need by being one of the first facilities in the UK to provide…

Read article

Scholarship scheme for graduates displaced by the war in Ukraine receives funding to continue

A new scholarship scheme providing financial support to graduate students displaced by the war in Ukraine has been made…

Read article
Top