Physics World Weekly Podcast
Physics World
Physics World Weekly offers a unique insight into the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations from the global scientific community. Our award-winning journalists reveal what has captured their imaginations about the stories in the news this week, which might span anything from quantum physics and astronomy through to materials science, environmental research and policy, and biomedical science and technology. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out our monthly podcast Physics World Stories, which takes a more in-depth look at a specific theme.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Jul 23, 2026 • 40min
Quarks and qubits: how quantum computing could transform particle physics
Ross Jenkinson, a theoretical particle physicist working on quantum computing algorithms at the University of Manchester. He talks about why qubits are well suited to simulating quantum systems. He outlines hardware limits and purpose-built versus general machines. He explores hybrid quantum–classical workflows, quantum approaches to QCD and black-hole information, and AI’s role in designing quantum algorithms.
Jul 16, 2026 • 38min
Large physics models boost the performance of passenger cars
Aerodynamics expert David Wheater is our podcast guest
Jul 9, 2026 • 20min
Static electricity: mysteries lurk within this everyday phenomenon
Soft-matter expert Scott Waitukaitis is our podcast guest
Jun 25, 2026 • 29min
Independent linac commissioning matters for radiotherapy
Our podcast guest is James Giltz of One Physics
Jun 18, 2026 • 48min
Ken’ichi Nomoto and Stanford Woosley share the 2026 Shaw Prize in Astronomy
Pair are honoured for their work on supernovae and nucleosynthesis
Jun 11, 2026 • 30min
‘Galactic archaeologists’ share the 2026 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics
Laureate Amina Helmi and Per Barth Lilje of the prize committee are our guests
Jun 4, 2026 • 30min
Inside EPSRC: Charlotte Deane on funding the future of UK physics
The executive chair of the UK funding agency is our podcast guest
May 28, 2026 • 26min
Open data: the benefits and challenges of sharing a precious resource
Laura Feetham-Walker of IOP Publishing is our podcast guest
May 21, 2026 • 38min
Thermodynamic computing: noise as a resource, not an enemy
Theoretical physicist Stephen Whitelam is our podcast guest
May 14, 2026 • 36min
Paul Howarth: IOP president highlights the need to raise the profile of physics in society
Podcast interview also explores concerns about recent funding cuts to fundamental physics research in the UK
