Over recent years science communicators have begun to use podcasting as a means of directly reaching a wider audience. A podcast is a media file that can be downloaded to an MP3 player or computer. Here is a selection of some of the best science-related podcasts from the UK.

The Naked Scientists
A group of doctors and researchers who run a weekly interactive science radio show. The shows can be downloaded as podcasts or listened to online and are also provided in text versions. A searchable archive lets you look for shows about the topics which interest you.  

Science Live
A partnership between Cambridge University and the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and it provides video streaming and podcasts of popular science lectures, interviews with scientists and short videos from Cambridge University Science Productions. It also includes events from the Cambridge Science Festival.

The Guardian Science podcasts
A daily newspaper with dedicated science correspondents who produce a weekly science podcast.

New Scientist
Produces SciPod, a free podcast with interviews and features about science and technology. This includes excerpts from the ‘Last Word’ column where readers pose questions about the world around them, such as why does tin foil hurt teeth?

Digital Planet
A weekly programme from the BBC World Service that looks at how technology is changing our lives.

Focus
This is the monthly science and technology magazine from the BBC. It has articles and interviews with scientists, as well as questions from the public.

Open2.Net
The online learning portal from the Open University and the BBC. It offers podcasts of some of its programmes, including those with science-related themes, such as the ‘Ever wondered about food?’ series.

The Royal Society Podcasts
The UK’s national academy of science podcasts some of its public lectures and events.

Chemistry World Podcast
Produced by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this podcast has interesting interviews and features, as well as analysis of science related news. Recent features include a discussion of nanoparticles to prevent wrinkles, and slimming pills for dogs.

Cancer Research UK
This is a magazine style podcast which showcases Cancer Research UK's work. It includes interviews with researchers, patients and fundraisers.

The Jodcast
A monthly podcast covering all aspects of astronomy from the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory. It includes the latest news, details of what you can see in the current night sky and interviews with astronomers. It also has news sections translated to Chinese and Portuguese.

Institute of Psychiatry
The Institute of Psychiatry, part of King’s College in London, provides podcasts of their public lectures, debates and events. Recent podcasts include ‘Love is a delusion’ and ‘The Race Blame Game’, a debate about racism and psychiatry.

Imperial College London
Imperial College provides podcasts of its public lectures. Recent examples include ‘The changing face of robotics’ and ‘Architecture in nanospace’.

The University of Warwick
Warwick Podcasts allow you to hear from University experts commenting on important issues, their research and events. Recent items include ‘Green Chemistry’ and ‘Perceptions of Body Image’.

The University of Bath
Podcasts from the University of Bath's public lecture series where leading names from the worlds of science, humanities and engineering talk about the latest research in their field.

The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh hosts a series of public lectures and its Enlightenment series will be made available as podcasts.

ScienceSnaps
ScienceSnaps trained a number of scientists from the North East of Scotland to produce and publish science podcasts, which are available on their website. You can subscribe to Science Snaps podcasts and get the latest episodes delivered to your computer.

The University of Ulster podcasts
Podcasts from the University of Ulster include lectures and interviews, several of which have a scientific focus.