Podcast: Radiation impacts, sickle cell disease and the Four Horsemen

In this edition: We examine the impact of radiation from nuclear accidents, meet a Sickle Cell Warrior, and follow those fighting the Four Horsemen.

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News: Science meets poetry and music – We hear about how Imperial scientists have teamed up with poets to create spoken-word pieces and how a COVID-19 study has been set to music.

Radiation from nuclear accidents – It’s been 35 years since Chernobyl and 10 years since Fukushima – so what issues has the radiation actually caused? Professor Gerry Thomas takes us through the evidence, which shows the effects may be far less severe than scare stories suggest.

You can also listen to an extended version of this interview.

Living with sickle cell disease – We meet Sickle Cell Warrior Louisa Thompson, who has teamed up with Imperial academics to raise awareness of living with the disease, including its impact on mental health.

Find out more about the Invisible Warrior project and watch a video featuring Louisa’s story.

You can also listen to an extended version of this interview.

The Four Horsemen for the modern age – Imperial military medical historian Dr Emily Mayhew gives a hopeful history and forward look at those people holding the line against war, pestilence, famine and death, as told in her new book The Four Horsemen.

You can also listen to an extended version of this interview.

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The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on Imperial's MSc Science Communication course and the presenter of Digital Planet on the BBC World Service, with contributions from our roving reporters in the Communications and Public Affairs Division.