As a PhD candidate in the History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) at the University of Melbourne, I have long been interested in exploring the rich connections between science and society. However, a year ago my academic pursuits expanded in a new direction when I was asked to help launch a new public engagement project by the head of our program, Professor Fiona Fidler. This project became The HPS Podcast, a growing initiative that has, to date, published 42 episodes across three seasons and achieved over 18,000 downloads. In this article, I discuss why we started the podcast, our experiences in creating it, and why I believe this kind of academic outreach is so important for work in the humanities.
The inspiration for the podcast was straightforward. Much of the excellent scholarship produced in the field of HPS is only read and reflected on by a relatively small academic community. However, through personal experience we knew there was a broader audience of intelligent and curious folk interested in hearing about our work. As well as a ready audience, we felt there were many unique insights emerging from the world of HPS that were deserving of much wider dissemination. To help spread HPS research further afield, a podcast made the most sense. It is a popular format, and one that allows complex ideas to be communicated in a relatively accessible and engaging way.
Starting the podcast was daunting and exciting. I began by enlisting the help of an honours student, Indigo Keel. Neither of us had much experience in audio recording or editing, so the initial learning curve was steep. However, our research skills came in useful as we searched for information on the most suitable microphones, software, and format for the podcast. One of our smartest moves was to think through the sustainability of the project from the start. Research suggested episodes of around 30 minutes are popular, and regular, consistent publishing is crucial to growing a loyal audience. We decided to produce the podcast in 12-week seasons to allow a continuous stream of episodes during academic semesters, but then give ourselves a break to recover in between.
For each episode, we invite one or two scholars to discuss a topic in HPS they believe is of interest and value to a general audience. This gives the podcast a simple but effective format, with each episode having a strong focal point. We also begin most episodes by asking our guests how they made their way to HPS. In this way, we start with a warm, personal opening, before launching into what can sometimes be a complex intellectual topic.
Interviewing scholars from around the world has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the podcast. I have spoken with researchers working on everything from the archives of Isaac Newton to the challenges of studying well-being in the 21st century. We also cover a range of topics at the forefront of conversation, including concerns over growing public distrust in science and the replication crisis in psychology and other sciences. Each conversation, whether with early career researchers or more established scholars, provides so many interesting points to consider. These discussions not only broaden my own understanding but enrich the podcast, offering our audience diverse ideas and perspectives.
One of the unexpected joys of running The HPS Podcast has been the community it has fostered. Our audience includes practicing scientists keen to engage in meta-level thinking about their work, policymakers and science communicators looking for deeper insights, students from various disciplines, as well as fellow HPS scholars. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with listeners appreciating the novel perspectives and talking points brought up through the discussions. Social media has played a crucial role in this community-building. Platforms like BlueSky and X (Twitter) have allowed us to interact with our audience directly, receiving immediate feedback and suggestions for future episodes. We have also found encouragement through personal correspondence, with listeners sharing how the podcast has influenced their thinking or sparked new ideas. In a nice example, the podcast recently received a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts that reads:
As a practicing scientist with no formal background in philosophy, this has become my introductory crash course into HPS as it is today. Almost every episode has had a lightbulb moment for me, offering an eye-opening new perspective on issues I deal with and think about all the time, and several have directly driven my increasingly serious interest in incorporating HPS into my scientific work. Thank you & keep it up Samara & team!! (Mmars627, 25th May 2024)
Knowing our efforts are having this kind of impact is extremely motivating.
Another significant outcome of The HPS Podcast has been the increased visibility of the University of Melbourne HPS program. The podcast has highlighted the expertise of our scholars and students and drawn attention to the unique strengths of our interdisciplinary group. This recognition is well-deserved. I have found our program really excels in bringing together viewpoints from across the humanities and sciences and offering a nuanced perspective on some of the most challenging issues of our time.
Engaging in public outreach through The HPS Podcast has reaffirmed my belief in the importance of making scholarly research more accessible to a broad audience. Public engagement helps break down the barriers between academia and the public. It encourages a two-way exchange of ideas, where scholars can share their work, while the public can provide valuable perspectives and feedback. This interaction enriches both sides, making academic work more relevant and responsive while expanding the circle of engagement beyond a select group of scholars.
It has become increasingly clear that the importance of academic inquiry is generally underappreciated in public life. One avenue for highlighting the value of our work is through expanding efforts at public engagement. In particular, I believe it is vital to showcase the humanities, which consider complex topics in highly sophisticated ways. My hope is that a broader appreciation of the humanities approach may help us avoid unproductive, polarising disputes, as well as better grapple with the intricacies of the human and non-human natural world. In this vein, I would love to see the already healthy field of academic podcasting continue to grow and expand. The more philosophers, historians, and other expert humanities scholars we have explaining our work in broadly accessible ways, the more opportunity those beyond our circles will have to appreciate the important insights we work so hard to achieve.
See more about The HPS Podcast here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/the-hps-podcast