The Science or Fiction Podcast

In this very special live recording of The Science or Fiction Podcast, we asked: why does representation in science matter, and how do we build spaces where more people feel like they belong?Thank you to everyone who came along and supported us at the live event. It meant so much to see so many of you there, and we can’t wait for the next one!Why this topic mattersLack of diversity in science isn’t just an equity issue. It shapes the quality of the research itself, and ultimately, its impact on society. Only 12% of young people surveyed felt that scientists represented their values, and even fewer thought scientists looked like them. One in seven scientists represented in textbooks are women and only 7% are people of colour. What does representation in science look like, across health, mental health, psychology and neuroscience, and how can we make it an inclusive space?This event was shaped by young peopleProducers and undergraduate students at King’s Ahmad Muntadhar and Sahla Ansari ran focus groups with young people who’ve felt underrepresented in science, to understand their experiences and to find out what they wanted from this panel. Questions for the panel were developed from those conversations: from start to finish, this event was directed by young people.Young people told us they wanted to hear about scientists’ personal journeys: the setbacks, the unexpected routes into science, the moments things nearly didn’t work out. They also wanted to talk about why opportunities in science can feel hidden or out of reach, and what it would take to remove those barriers.Meet the panelWe brought those questions to three brilliant guests: Amaliah Odutola, Community and Engagement Manager at Sci-translate, Dr Maheen Siddiqui, Research Fellow at Birkbeck University and lead of the Diversity in Developmental Science Network, and Dr Salim Hashmi, Senior Lecturer and Culture, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at King’s College London.Through panel questions and audience Q+A, we covered personal experiences and a vision for real change, from unexpected career U-turns to what it actually takes to create belonging in science.Salim spoke about not always finding a space where he felt he belonged and how he built that space himself. Maheen talked us through her research with families, and why she takes a slow, careful approach that makes sure the families she works with get something back and understand the science. And Amaliah had a message for anyone who doesn’t feel like they are the smartest person in the room: there is space for you to grow, and fresh perspectives from young people are exactly what drive new discoveries.One attendee summed up the night perfectly:“Seeing some of myself, my journey and aspirations in the panelists, we get permission to dream big!”We hope you enjoy this episode! Thanks again to everyone who came out and supported us, can’t wait for the next one!ResourcesHere are the links to opportunities and resources that were mentioned in the panel:* Health Data Science Black Internship Programme: https://www.hdruk.ac.uk/study-and-train/health-data-science-black-internship-programme/* In2research programme: https://in2scienceuk.org/our-programmes/in2research/* Diversity in Developmental Science Network: https://cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/events/diversity-in-developmental-science-network/* For King’s Staff and Students, you can access the Diversi-tea seminar webpage here and join the mailing list: https://tinyurl.com/Diversi-TeaPhDs and funding:We talked a lot about PhDs so we’ve included some more information here. * There are many routes into a PhD, here is a website that has guides, funding information and current opportunities for a range of subjects: https://www.findaphd.com* Here are the funded PhD programmes that the panelists’ completed:* Maheen completed a LIDO PhD which involves collaborating with a non-academic, industry partner: https://www.lido-dtp.ac.uk* Salim was funded by Cardiff University by a Departmental Teaching Fund, which meant that he taught at Cardiff whilst completing his PhD. These opportunities will usually be adversitised on university websites and jobs.ac.uk - they’re often called Graduate Teaching Assistant positions. * Kathryn completed a 1+3 ESRC Studentship which involved a funded Masters and PhD: https://www.findaphd.com/guides/phd-study-in-uk/esrc-funding This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

What is ultra-processed food? Why do things like sweets and crisps fall under the same ultra-processed label as plant milks and cereals? Produced by and co-hosted with MSc Health Psychology student, Emily McLaughlin, we asked how ultra-processed foods are defined, how they affect our health, and how we’re supposed to navigate our consumption of them. In each episode, we dive into the evidence behind issues that matter to you. Dr Sam Dickens (Research Fellow at UCL) explained the findings from his latest trial testing the impact of ultra-processed and minimally-processed diets on weight and cardiovascular health. Sam talked about using the EatWell guidance, how we need to change food systems instead of shaming individuals’ choices, and he advised that we should ignore diet advice on social media. Resources and recommendationsThe journal article we discussed:* “Ultraprocessed or minimally processed diets following healthy dietary guidelines on weight and cardiometabolic health: a randomized, crossover trial” by Dicken and colleagues and published in Nature Medicine, link hereThe headlines covered:* “Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds” published in the Guardian, link here Free mental health support:* For urgent mental health support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or contact online here* Access the Mix for support for under 25’s here* To find support and advice or access resources around mental health, access YoungMings hereThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

Not only can we get any question answered at any time, but we can also have human-like conversations without interacting with a single person. AI-powered chatbots, systems like ChatGPT that simulate two-way conversations with the user, are now widely available. Many are turning to chatbots for relationship advice and mental health support - with some saying they find it easier to talk to chatbots than people.Experts are worried about this increasing reliance on non-human interaction. In a recent paper published in the British Medical Journal, researchers raised concerns around people further isolating themselves and pointed out that we do not have a clear understanding of how relying on chatbots for relationship or mental health advice is affecting our well-being. Concerned about his friends and wanting clarity on the evidence, third-year undergraduate psychology student, Ahmad Muntadhar, sought to answer the question: Are AI chatbots making us lonely?In each episode, we dive into the evidence behind the issues that matter to you. We interviewed Arthur Bran Herbener, a PhD student at Aarhus University, about his latest research on whether there is a link between talking to chatbots and loneliness in young people. We also spoke to New York-based therapist and social worker, Shahem McLaurin, to find out what is happening in practice and whether it is safe to turn to chatbots for mental health support. What you’ll find in this episode* Beginning - Kathryn and Ahmad introduce the topic.* 04:06 - Arthur explains what we know about social relationships and AI from the research.* 07:57 - Arthur talks about stigma and why people turn to AI. * 10.46 - Arthur describes the research findings on talking to AI like a friend was linked to loneliness.* 15:19 - Arther explains the evidence around why we need to be vulnerable with other people.* 18:33 - Shahem explains his concerns around using AI for therapy. * 23:06 - Shahem talks about co-dependency and why we need to self-sooth.* 26.05 - Shahem speaks about the importance of maintaining our agency.* 28.51 - Shahem explains why we need to build trust and community with others.* 32:33 - Kathryn and Ahmad reflect on the interview and answer the question: AI chatbots are making us lonely, is it science or fiction?Resources and recommendationsThe paper we discussed:* Are lonely youngsters turning to chatbots for companionship? The relationship between chatbot usage and social connectedness in Danish high-school students, by Herbener & Damholdt and published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies in February 2025The headlines covered in the episode:* Experts raise alarm about people using ChatGPT and other AI systems to help with loneliness, published in the Independent in December 2025, linked here* ‘I spoke to ChatGPT 8 times a day’ - Gen Z’s loneliness ‘crisis’, published by the BBC in January 2026, linked hereHow to access free mental health support:* For urgent mental health support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or contact online here* Access the Mix for support for under 25’s here* To find support and advice or access resources around mental health, access YoungMings hereThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

It is the first week of February and my alarm has woken me up to another dark, Monday morning. As I make a cup of tea with my eyes half closed struggling against the big light in the kitchen, I’m already dreaming of sunny summer days and dreading the fact that when I get home from work - surprise! - it is going to be dark again.My current mindset is unhelpful: it is only going to make me feel worse. I could shift my perspective. I likely feel sleepy because evidence suggests we need more sleep in winter. I put the big light on to try and force myself awake, but why? I could put on soft lamps and ease myself into the day.In this episode, Leibowitz explains the concept of wintertime mindsets, answers listeners’ questions about ways to feel better in winter, explains some misconceptions about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how we can draw from evidence from different settings, daily practices and science to better understand our wellbeing.We hope you enjoy this rewind of “Can embracing winter improve mental health?” - we’d love to hear your thoughts and the small yet meaningful ways you are enjoying winter.Recommendations from the episodeThe journal article discussed: Leibowitz and Vittersø (2020), Winter is coming: Wintertime mindset and wellbeing in Norway, published in International Journal of WellbeingMore information on Kari’s book and newsletter: https://www.karileibowitz.comWhat you’ll find in this episode10:00-15:00 > What is a wintertime mindset?15:00-20.00 > Seasonal affective disorder: explaining the misconceptions20.22-26.25 > Treatments for seasonal affective disorder and the link with winter mindsets26.39-35.00 > Focus on the paper: Is there evidence to show wintertime mindsets are associated with wellbeing?35.35-41.55 > Why it is important to explain the evidence clearly41.55-46.20 > Listener question: “I want to lean in to rest in winter, but struggle when the workload doesn’t change. Is it common to feel less motivated when you’re working in the winter months, and how do you address that?”46.23-49.50 > What if we have limited flexibility over our workday?49.53-51.40 > Sleep in the winter51.45-53.50 > Slowing down, seasonal living, and welcoming the darkness53.53-55.00 > Getting outside more in winterLinks to free mental health supportSamaritans contact information: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/The Mix online chat and phone helplines for under 25s: https://www.themix.org.uk/get-supportMind Charity contacts: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/useful-contacts/The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes neurodegeneration - the progressive loss of neurons in the brain. This can lead to changes in movement, thinking, and mood. Reports of a breakthrough hit the headlines last week: a press release from a clinical trial reported that using gene therapy they have managed to slow disease progression for the first time.Some are warning that it is too early to say we have a cure for Huntington’s given that these results are very early and have not yet been reviewed.What does it mean to treat a neurodegenerative disease like Huntington’s? How is slowing the progression of a disease different from curing it? And what do the results of this trial mean for families living with the condition today?In this episode, we speak with Professor Rachael Scahill, Associate Director of the Huntington’s Disease Centre at University College London. We discuss how Huntington’s affects the brain, what this gene therapy involves, and what these results could mean for the future of neurodegeneration research.This episode is part of our neuroscience series, produced by PhD student Chloe Carrick, Youth Advisor Anushka De, and Research Fellow Dr. Kathryn Bates. Click the subscribe button on this page to get episodes straight to your inbox!Resources* Read more about the work of the Huntington’s Disease Centre directed by Sarah Tabrizi* Read about Huntington’s Disease news in plain language on HDBuzz* Read about uniQure, the company who led this trialWhat you’ll find in this episode* 3:05 - What is a neurodegenerative disease like Huntington’s?* 8:42 - Gene therapy explained* 10:50 - Interpreting results of the trial* 16:00 - What role do companies play in clinical trials?* 20:00 - Slowing a disease’s progression vs curing a disease* 23:00 - Implications of the trial’s findings* 26:35 - Next steps in working towards a treatmentThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast.This episode was supported by the King’s Public Engagement Small Grant funding scheme. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

Most of us spend about a third of our lives asleep. We feel the effects of a bad night of sleep, waking up groggy and turning to caffeine to get through the day. While we might think that our sleep habits have a strong influence on brain health, the evidence is not so clear.There is a lot of advice out there on how to get a good night’s sleep, as well as reports about the consequences of poor sleep. But sleep doesn’t look the same for everyone: age, sex, gender, and culturecould influence sleep patterns.Why do we sleep? What does “good sleep” mean for different people? And how does sleep affect brain health?In this episode, we interviewed Professor Anders Fjell, sleep expert and Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Oslo to answer these questions.This episode is the second of our neuroscience series, produced by PhD student Chloe Carrick, Youth Advisor Anushka De, and Research Fellow Dr. Kathryn Bates. Click the subscribe button on this page to get the episodes straight to your inbox – we’d love to hear what you think!Resources* Read more about the work of the Lifespan Centre for Brain and Cognition, co-lead by Professor Anders Fjell and Professor Kristine Walhovd* Read the article on the cultural differences in association between sleep duration and health: here* Theories for why we sleep, age differences in sleep patterns, and the association between sleep and brain health are discussed further in this review article, co-authored by Anders and Kristine* Read about the survey on public perceptions of the role of sleep in brain health hereWhat you’ll find in this episode* 04:20 - Theories and evidence for why we sleep* 07.45 – Different sleep stages* 09.55 – Why are there individual differences in sleep?* 14:20 – The relationship between sleep duration and health differs across countries* 17:55 – The importance of sleep for brain health: Public perceptions vs. research evidence* 20:05 – Why do we feel so bad when we don’t sleep?* 24:15 – There is no universal guideline for optimal sleep durationThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast.This episode was supported by the King’s Public Engagement Small Grant funding scheme. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

Brain-Computer Interfaces, or BCIs for short, are all over the news (like here and here). These systems – which can be implanted into the brain – have the potential to help people with neurological conditions control devices (from mobile phones to robotic arms) using only their thoughts.Headlines often use futuristic terms like ‘mind reading’. These phrases might grab our attention, but they could also distort our understanding of what BCIs are capable of (and what they are not).In this episode, we interviewed Dr. Hunter Schone, BCI expert and post-doctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. We discussed what a BCI looks like, how they can help patients with severe clinical disorders, and the roles of universities, companies, and regulators have in their development. We also discuss the work that needs to be done before these devices are made more widely available for patients.This is an episode to watch: from 09.42 you’ll see our jaws DROP when Hunter pulled out a 3D model of a patient’s brain to demonstrate how BCIs work!This episode is the first of our neuroscience series, produced by PhD student Chloe Carrick, Youth Advisor Anushka De, and Research Fellow Dr. Kathryn Bates. New episodes for this series will be released on the first Monday of the month. Click the subscribe button on this page to get them straight to your inbox.Resources* Read more about the work of the Rehab Neural Engineering Labs at the University of Pittsburgh* Watch this video with Dr. Sergey Stavisky on how BCIs have been used to restore speech in participants with ALS* UCLH launches a clinical trial of Neuralink’s N1 Implant: The GB-PRIME StudyWhat you’ll find in this episode* 07.40 - What is a brain-computer interface and how does it work?* 09.42 - How are brain-computer interfaces inserted into the brain and how do they operate?* 16.32 - Can brain-computer interfaces read your mind? What are the limits?* 19.33 - Current advancements in supporting speech* 22.14 - Importance of managing expectations of what they are capable of* 24.35 - What Neuralink is currently capable of* 28.44 - What happens to the data extracted?* 32.00 - Can the public trust companies to handle this technology and the data produced?* 36.45 - Everybody’s brain is different. How can we be sure these technologies will work for many people?* 43.50 - Current advancements in supporting vision * 47.00 - Hopes for the futureThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast.This episode was supported by the King’s Public Engagement Small Grant funding scheme. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

In this second episode of our two part series on chronic pain, we spoke to Misha Gardner to discover how healthcare providers can address the structural bias and inequalities to better support people with chronic pain. The PEACs (Pain: Equality of Care and Support in the Community) programme was co-designed with Black people to develop a person-centred and bio-psycho-social approach to treating chronic pain in diverse communities. Black women are twice as likely to experience chronic pain than white women, and less likely to be referred to tertiary care. The PEACs programme was developed with Black communities to ensure better support, empowerment, and improved quality of life for people living with chronic pain.In this episode, produced by Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Mariam Shah, and Research Fellow, Dr Kathryn Bates, we find out why Black people face inequalities in chronic pain treatment, how healthcare programmes can be developed with communities and for communities, and we learn about the outcomes and next steps for the programme. There are important insights for healthcare providers, clinical psychologists, and those living with chronic pain or interested to find out more. Make sure you stay till the end to find out the impact of the programme. The first episode of this two part series on what it means to live with chronic pain can be found here.We’d love to hear what you think! DM us on social media or reach out at [email protected] Make to subscribe to receive the latest episode in your inbox. Please rate and subscribe in your favourite podcast platform - it really helps us reach more people!What you’ll find in this episode:00:51 - What is chronic pain1:30 - Misha Gardner and PEACS introduction07:40 - Access to quality healthcare and healthcare inequalities09:32- 10:29 - Lack of trust from marginalized groups in healthcare systems12:29 - Impact and stigma of chronic pain22:14 – How codesign was approached for PEACS 7-stage pathway34:00 – Changing our approach to healthcare36:00 – Biopsychosocial approach to pain management38:55 – Recommendations and impact of the PEACs programme Resources and recommendations:* PEACS Impact and Evaluation Reports can be found here: PEACs: King’s Health Partners* Kings Health Partners, Mind & Body Programme can be found here: Mind & Body Programme* PEACS Patient Case Studies: Pain: Equality of care and support in the community (PEACS) project - KHP Mind & Body Programme - YouTube* Pain Free Mindset by Dr Deepak Ravindran: Book - Dr Deepak Ravindran* Gabor Mate resources Mind/Body Health: Mind/Body Health - Dr. Gabor MatéThe views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

What is chronic pain, and why is it different for different people? How do we begin to treat chronic pain? If my pain fluctuates, what can I do about it? We answer these questions and more in our latest episode. This is the first of two episodes about chronic pain, produced by Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Mariam Shah, and Research Fellow, Dr Kathryn Bates. In this first episode, we interviewed Dr Anna Hood, Lecturer at the University of Manchester and expert in the biological, psychological and social challenges experienced by young people living with chronic pain. This eye-opening conversation reveals how individuals experience chronic pain, as well as the structural and social barriers many people face when they are trying to seek help. We discuss how chronic pain is defined, why people feel they need to hide their chronic pain, and how a better understanding of the complexity of chronic pain and the bias present in healthcare could improve access to support. We answered listener questions in this episode - make sure you follow us on instagram to see the shoutouts to contribute to episodes. Please rate and subscribe in your favourite podcast platform - it really helps us reach more people! You can also click the subscribe button on this page to receive a monthly newsletter with our latest episode.What you’ll find in this episode:00:26 - Chronic pain introduction08:56 - Explaining pain and hiding pain – what might lead people to hide and what can make it easier12:32 - Ken’s lived experience story16.06 - Moving away from a medical approach and incorporating biopsychosocial and structural18.05 - Disparities and racism in healthcare19:26 - Discrimination in sickle cell disease21:00 - Examples from the research on pain care discrimination23:27 - Young people experience of pain and phones29:05 - Mind body connection and science behind it34:06 - What to do if your experiencing chronic pain36:55 - Fluctuations in chronic painResources and recommendations from the episode:* Article we discussed: “Racism in pain management causes needless suffering” by Dr Anna Hood, published in the British Medical Journal: https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r848* Pain UK: a charity with resources and information about support groups: https://painuk.org* NHS information on chronic pain: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/chronic-pain/The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Science or Fiction Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk

Mental health, climate science, ethnicity, LGBTQ, disability, inequality, gender, women, elderly make up just 10 of the 200 terms now banned from research with US government funding. And this is not just in the US, but in other countries that receive US funding.The National Institute of Health, which funds billions of dollars of medical research, has already pulled funding from hundreds of grants, including projects on discrimination in healthcare and LGBTQ+ teen health.Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs have also been terminated – several companies have dropped diversity targets and scholarships to support people from marginalised communities have been cancelled.This isn’t just about limiting what science can study - it is about who gets to do the science in the first place. We spoke to Professor Christina Pagel, a Professor of Operational Research at University College London, and the author of a new report How Diversity Makes Science Better to understand the full impact of these restrictions and why diversity is important in science.Christina's 3-page report, How Diversity Makes Science Better, published with Independent SAGE can be found here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.scienceorfiction.co.uk