Program profile: Science and Environment

Fri, 22 November 2019

The 2RPH program showcases a diverse selection of over 200 programs, from book readings to world affairs with Time magazine and The Economist to lighter entertainment magazines with Aust. Women’s Weekly and New Idea.

Here, we highlight the popular Science & Environment program, presented by Paul Gashler.

Science and Environment

How did you come to be involved with the program?

For around three years, I had been enjoying weekly reading The Australian. Cosmos, “Australia’s magazine of the Science of Everything” had been successfully launched in June 2005 by Alan Finkle (now Australia’s Chief Scientist).

Moira at 2RPH asked me if I would like to take it on as a weekly show called Cosmos. I jumped at the opportunity, survived panel training, learned how to put a 28-minute show together, went to air in November and, as they say, the rest is history...and great fun!

Cosmos evolved into Science & Environment to help the listener appreciate the extraordinary breadth of its environment and to pick up the best articles from other sources. As listeners and I together head towards 600 programs, I still love the process as much now as I did all those years ago.

What do you enjoy about producing and recording it?

Building a Science & Environment program takes me to the whole breadth of scientific research and application - from genetics to quantum mechanics, the brain, children, changing weather, small and large animals, deepest outer space, artificial meat, 3D printing of jet engines, sneeky spiders, LSD, singing whales and so very much more! I love to share the work of scientists across the globe, and try to bring their wonder, their sweat, their frustrations and the ecstasy of their discoveries with my listeners.

In your experience as a presenter, what have you found important in producing your program for 2RPH listeners?

As a radio producer and presenter, I’m very much a work in progress. My mentors help me remember that I’m sharing content, for sure, but I also have to entertain. I’m having a conversation with my listeners, sometimes serious, sometimes really funny, sometimes very emotional, sometimes just full of wonder...and I’m hopefully making us all come back together “same time, same station”.

Any last words you would like to share?

I’m just one cog in a high-quality production process...Without Peter Worthington and his team and their amazing technical/post-production talents, my effort is not going anywhere... Without Sancha Donald and all the weavers of management, policy and admin, 2RPH doesn’t exist at all...So it’s just really good being part of a pretty terrific machine!

To hear Paul present Science & Environment on 2RPH, tune in on Fridays at 1:30pm with repeated episodes airing on Monday at 8.30pm.