Listen to our podcast
On this page
Hear about the latest research at King's
Welcome to King's of Curiosity, a new podcast hosted by our Provost, Gillian Tett.
Each episode takes you on a journey of discovery with different researchers at King's, exploring topics from the rise of the far right to sustainable aviation to quantum computing.
Get curious with us!
Explore the episodes
Marcus Boick on populism
To kick off the series, historian Marcus Boïck looks back at the last 30 years to trace the resurgence of the far right in post-reunification Germany and beyond. He and Gillian discuss the often devastating economic and social impacts of reunification on the former East Germany and consider the implications for Europe and beyond.
Episode released 24 March 2026
Peter Frankopan and Carrie Humphrey on the Silk Roads
Historian Peter Frankopan and anthropologist Carrie Humphrey look at the roots of the term "Silk Roads", uncover some hidden history of the Great Wall of China, highlight the work going on in King's own Silk Roads Programme and consider the global impact of Russia-China's complicated history and what might lie in store for the future.
Episode released 31 March 2026
Jude Browne and Alice Hutchings on gender and tech in the age of AI
Each day brings new stories about the possibilities and the threats of AI and the dominance of Silicon Valley. But what if there were other voices and points of view shaping these technologies and their influence on the world? How differently would these tools work for us? Our guests this week come from very different worlds but their work on understanding the impacts of AI and tech intersects in fascinating ways.
Alice Hutchings is a professor of Computer Science and Technology who focuses on cybercrime and how to prevent it. Jude Browne is a political scientist whose most recent book focuses on how society might respond to the rise of technologies from AI to robotics to genetic engineering.
Episode released 7 April 2026
David Arvidsson-Shukur on quantum computing
David's work is at the forefront of the race to develop quantum computing - a complex area which has attracted significant hype in recent years. He and Gillian bust myths about what quantum computing is and isn't, and makes a highly theoretical field a bit more digestible to the rest of us.
Episode released on 14 April 2026
Shannon Bonke and Zhuangnan Li on new materials and green tech
Carbon capture and sulfur-infused batteries are the topic of the day on this episode of King's of Curiosity. Researchers Shannon Bonke and Zhuangnan Li are dreaming up the technologies of tomorrow from carbon negative Lego bricks to a new kind of battery for electric vehicles and more.
Episode released 21 April 2026
Nick Atkins and Chez Hall on sustainable aviation
What does British Cycling have in common with the jet engine?
A man named Frank Whittle, who brought us the world of aviation we know today. The Cambridge engineering lab that bears his name is now the home of the next generation of engineers like Fellows Chez Hall and Nick Atkins who are looking to make flying more sustainable than ever before. But in the face of rapid reversals on climate change commitments, is there still momentum to accelerate the aviation industry towards "jet zero?"
Episode released 28 April 2026