Lab Matters

Helen Pearson is an award-winning journalist, editor at Nature, and honorary professor at UCL - and her new book, Beyond Belief, asks a question that feels more urgent than ever: why don't we follow the evidence, even when it could save lives? In this episode, we trace Helen's journey from a comprehensive school in Essex to Cambridge, Edinburgh and the pages of the world's most influential science journal. She talks about the culture shock of Oxbridge, why she turned down a New Scientist internship to finish her PhD, and how a career questionnaire once told her to become a quarry manager. We also dive into Beyond Belief - the story of the evidence revolution sweeping medicine, education, government and beyond - and Helen shares one of the book's most powerful and sobering stories: how 50,000 infant deaths might have been prevented if the research had been properly synthesised decades earlier.

In this episode of Lab Matters, we speak to Dr Rachel Wells, senior scientist and honorary professor at the John Innes Centre, about the science behind protecting oilseed rape in the UK.   Rachel shares how her career evolved from an early interest in veterinary science to a deep focus on plant genetics, crop resilience and sustainable agriculture. The conversation explores the impact of pesticide withdrawal, the growing threat of cabbage stem flea beetle, and how researchers are using genetics, breeding and integrated pest management to protect a crop that plays an important role in the UK food system.

Season 6 starts with the story behind one of the UK's most successful life science startups. In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet talks to Paul Colbon, CEO of Liverpool ChiroChem (now LLC Technologies), about his journey from chemistry student to entrepreneur, building a company from the ground up, navigating investment, leading through uncertainty and ultimately achieving a successful acquisition. Along the way, Paul reflects on the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, innovation and the people who helped shape his career.

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.

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.