UPDATE:
The aforementioned study analyses 952 science podcasts and has an associated excel spreadsheet (supplementary material on BiorXiv) that you can sort by categories. Therefore, this blog post is pretty much redundant and no longer updated as of January 2018. Please note that even this study has nearly 1000 podcasts, practical methodological limitations mean that I have likely missed dozens, if not hundreds of science podcasts from this study. This is a bit regrettable, but was necessary as I had no research funding and did all this research in my "spare time".
Happy listening podcasters!
Lewis
I love listening to podcasts and I love science. There are many podcasts out there, and I find it hard to keep track of them, so here is a big list of science podcasts that I’m currently aware of! It'd be great if this could become a comprehensive list, but considering that there are probably something like ~400+ English-language podcasts created in the past 10 years, it may never be so. Still, if you know of some of science podcasts missed (and there will be quite a few no doubt), then please leave a comment or email me to let me know.
Lewis
Last updated: 7th January 2018
DISCLAIMER: I have not listened to all these podcasts; there are simply too many! As such, inclusion in this list is not an endorsement by me.
ALPHABETICAL LIST of science podcasts
Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology Podcast (University of Glasgow)
Naked astronomy (The Naked Scientists)
Naked Genetics (The Naked Scientists)
Naked Neuroscience (The Naked Scientists)
Orbital Path (PRX)
Science Hour (BBC World Service)
Spectrum (Yale University)
CATEGORIZED LIST OF SCIENCE PODCASTS
My personal top picks
Inside Science (BBC Radio 4)– slick science news from the BBC, hosted by Dr Adam Rutherford and published weekly.
Science Brunch - exploring the life and works of historic scientists.
Scientists Not The Science - discussing topics about being a scientist that no other podcast covers - a "must-listen" for all scientists.
Science on Top – professional scientists discuss science news, pretty regularly published
Science Vs – looks at the evidence for and against controversial scientific phenomena and policies that affect us all. A rare treat due to the in-depth nature of the podcast.
Science news podcasts
Science on Top – discussion of science news, pretty regularly published
The Naked Scientists - excellent weekly science news podcast
Inside Science (BBC Radio 4) – slick science news from the BBC, hosted by Dr Adam Rutherford and published weekly.
Nature Podcast - podcast of the journal Nature.
More or Less (BBC Radio 4) – weekly show that examines evidence and statistics behind news stories
Quirks and Quarks - science news program by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
What's Up? (Royal Observatory Edinburgh) - upcoming astronomical events from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.
Science Jerks - scientists and comedians take a look at the latest science news
Warm Regards - discussing latest climate change/global warming news and the terrifying implications.
Blue Streak Science - general science news
Futureproof - covering developments in science and technology
The Science Show (ABC) - new about the latest scientific research
Science discussion podcasts: podcasts that cross-examine science in detail
Science on Top – discussion of science news, pretty regularly published
Science Vs – discussion of science news, pretty regularly published
StarTalk Radio – Neil deGrasse Tyson and friends talk about astronomy, cosmology, space travel, etc.
Public Health United – discussion of public health
More or Less (BBC Radio 4) – weekly show that examines evidence and statistics behind news stories
In Our Time: Science (BBC Radio 4) – esteemed researchers describe the great scientific concepts and historic scientists. Extensive back-catalog.
Evidence Squared - why science needs to persuade
Humorous science podcasts – podcasts that will make you laugh and think
The Infinite Monkey Cage (BBC Radio 4) – Prof. Brian Cox, Robin Ince, and Guests discuss science concepts.
Level Up Human – Dr Simon Watt and guests postulate how to upgrade the human species!
The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry (BBC Radio 4) - Dr Hannah Fry and Dr Adam Rutherford answer unusual listener questions.
Publish, Perish, or Podcast – a bunch of Australian researchers make inappropriate jokes then talk about professional development.
Science Jerks - scientists and comedians take a look at the latest science news
Stupid Questions for Scientists... comedians and scientists discuss timely topics.
TOP (Just Enough Doctorate To Perform) - combines science with improv comedy
Physical Attraction - explaining physics, one chat up line at a time!
The PoundStone Institute - comedian Paula Poundstone discusses science with scientists
Dear Science - using science to solve agony-aunt style problems
Why Aren't You a Doctor Yet? - science, tech, comedy, and pop culture; held together with tape.
What The If? - fast and fun podcast, that explores the science behind outlandish questions.
Mad Scientist Podcast - exploring science, philosophy, and history of paranormal, pseudoscientific, and otherwise weird claims
Podcasts for scientists (special interest) – podcasts that I think are of special interest to scientists
The Life Scientific (BBC Radio 4) – esteemed professors talk about their journey through science, hosted by Prof. Jim Al-khalili
SciComm podcast - Dr Mike and friends discuss science communication with special guests.
Publish, Perish, or Podcast – a bunch of Australian researchers make inappropriate jokes then talk about professional development.
Exocast – high-level news from the world of exoplanet research.
In Our Time: Science (BBC Radio 4) – esteemed researchers describe the great scientific concepts and historic scientists. Extensive back-catalogue of topics across all science ranges.
Bugs and Stuff - a podcast about science, bugs, and being a graduate student.
TWIV (This Week In Virology) - self explanatory
Naked Astronomy - astronomy news
Naked Genetics - genetics news
Naked Neuroscientists - neuroscience news
The Nature Podcast - podcast from the journal Nature.
e-Life podcast - podcast from the e-Life journal.
The Femmes of STEM - bi-monthly show focusing on the history of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Perils of Publishing (The Society for Neuroscience) - explores the excitement, opportunities, and challenges of scientific publishing.
Raw Data (Stanford University) - a podcast about the datasets and cyber technologies that affect our lives.
Brain Science Podcast - Neuroscience fundamentals with Ginger Campbell
The Black Goat - three psychologists talk about doing science
PhD Career Stories - A Podcast for people interested in career possibilities after a PhD.
Hello PhD - a podcast to help graduate students through their PhD
We Have Concerns - exploring ethical issues in cutting-edge science
Major Revisions - early career scientists discuss ecology and academia. science, current events, careers, and life.
Novel Targets - science around innovative new drugs, gene, and cell therapies
Science: Disrupt - interviews with innovators in science.
Trace Elements - covering the science that connects everyone.
Biologic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis - does what it says on the tin
Sustainable Nano - exploring topics in nanotechnology and materials.
Science ... sort of - long running science podcast
Stupid Questions for Scientists... comedians and scientists discuss timely topics.
Evidence Squared - why science needs to persuade
Science Hour (BBC R4) - an hour of science from the BBC World Service
PalaeoCast - a podcast about paleontology
Everything Hertz - scientific life, methodology, and bad language.
The Startup Scientist - a podcast about growing your scientific career
3-Minutes-3Rs - quick podcast summarizing the latest research and news in 3Rs (Replacement; Reduction; Refinement).
Science history podcasts
In Our Time: Science (BBC Radio 4) – esteemed researchers describe the great scientific concepts and historic scientists. Extensive back-catalogue of topics across all science ranges.
The Femmes of STEM - bi-monthly show focusing on the history of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Science Brunch - exploring the life, times, and trials of historic scientists.
The Scientific Odyssey - An examination of scientific inquiry through a discussion of the history and philosophy of the scientific endeavor.
New Heads - how science and history are shaped by each other.
Superwomen in Science - discussing the past, present, and future of women in science
A History of Science - science history told in a format somewhere between storytelling and a lecture
General Science podcasts
The Naked Scientists - excellent weekly science news podcast
Jodcast – news from Jodrell Bank Observatory
The Story Collider - science stories
The Guardian Science Weekly - weekly science podcast from the Guardian newspaper in the UK.
StarTalk Radio - Neil deGrasse Tyson and friends talk about astronomy, cosmology, space travel, etc.·
Science Soapbox - interviews with scientists.
Science MixTape - science stories and music.
The Titanium Physicists Podcast - physicists talk about physics.
Quirks and Quarks - science news program by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Skeptic's Guide to The Universe - dedicated to promoting critical thinking, reason, and the public understanding of science through online and other media
Science for the People - weekly long format interview show exploring science, pop-culture, and public policy.
PubhD Podcast - the official podcast of the PubhD movement.
Radio Lab - explores ideas in science, philosophy, and human experience.]
Raw Data (Stanford University) - a podcast about the datasets and cyber technologies that affect our lives.
Raw Talk (University of Toronto) - conversations with faculty, students and alumni of the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.
Science in a Cup - covers topics such as ecosystems, bushfires, and probiotics.
Science Friday - weekly show about science and tech.
Useful Research - ambitiously using science concepts to improve your life.
We Have Concerns - exploring ethical issues in cutting-edge science
Liftoff (Relay FM) - fortnightly podcast about space, the universe, and everything.
Holy Fucking Science - science podcast hosted by Hank Green and friends.
Meet the meQuanics - quantum physics and quantum technology. Weekly.
Exposing PsudeoAstronomy - debunking guff
Brains On - science podcast for kids and curious adults
Brain Dump - the newest science in fun and often quirky ways
Astronomy Cast - long-running podcast coming topics in astronomy
Talking Biotech - weekly podcast about genetic improvements in plants, animals, microbes and medicine
The Pulse - stories at the heart of science, health, and innovation.
Orbital Path - astronomer Michelle Thaller. interviews scientists.
Transistor (PRX) - scientific curiosities and current events.
The Amp Hour - weekly radio show about electronics,
The Hidden Brain (NPR) - uncovering the hidden patterns in human behavior.
A Scientist Walks Into a Bar - public talks on various science topics.
Origin Stories Podcast - covering the science behind human origins.
Spectrum (Yale University) - discussing the human aspects of STEM subjects.
Science of Ultra - exploring the science of ultra-sports and human performance.
Science: Disrupt - interviews with innovators in science.
Mendel's Finches - science and society
Brainwaves (BBC Radio Scotland) - covering various topics in science
The Science Shed - an irreverent ramble through the undergrowth of science and academia
Science Pie - podcast about literature, physics, and history; English and German language available.
'Rial Talk - a podcast about materials
Talk Nerdy To Me - covering all sorts of topics in current science research.
Science Gallery Dublin - covering all sorts of science topics
Undiscovered (Science Friday) - a podcast about the backstories of science
Science Solved It - mysteries which science has solved
Evidence Squared - why science needs to persuade
Undark Magazine - science magazine show
Ologies - exploring all the various 'ologies' of science!
The Science Show (ABC) - new about the latest scientific research
Superwomen in Science - discussing the past, present, and future of women in science
STEMpunk Podcast - podcast about science and scientists from Australia
In Situ Science - highlighting discoveries from Australian scientists
The Digital Science Podcast - talking to leaders in science
The Cosmic Shed - science fact to science fiction
Great Moments in Science (ABS) - Dr Karl explores a different science topic each week
Discovery (BBC Radio 4) - exploring the world of science
60-Second Science (Scientific American) - bite size science stories
Locally Sourced Science - science news and events from the Finger Lakes region of New York state.
Carry on the Radio - for the scientifically curious
SCIENCE PODCASTS FOR KIDS
Brains On - science podcast for kids and curious adults
But Why? - science podcast for curious kids
Tumblecast - science podcast for kids exploring scientific discovery
The Show About Science - a first grader's podcast about science
Wow In The World - NPR podcast covering science and technology for kids
WOMEN IN SCIENCE
Babes of Science - highlighting women's contributions to STEM fields
Superwomen in Science - discussing the past, present, and future of women in science
The Femmes of STEM - bi-monthly show focusing on the history of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Science Brunch - exploring the life, times, and trials of historic scientists.
Finding Ada - celebrating the achievements of women in science and technology
Astronomy podcasts - in space, no-one can hear you podcast
What's Up? - news and stories from the world of astronomy by experts at the Royal Observatory of Edinbugh.
Naked astronomy - The Naked Scientists team cover astronomy news and stories
Exposing PsudeoAstronomy - debunking guff
StarTalk radio - Neil DeGrasse Tyson and friends cover stories and topics in astronomy (and occasionally all of science)
Exocast - exoplanet research news; pretty involved.
Jodcast – news from Jodrell Bank Observatory
Liftoff - fortnightly podcast about space
Cosmic Vertigo - conversations about astronomy.
Raumzeit - (translation: Space Time). German language podcast about space.
Seldom Sirius - a seldom serious podcast about astronomy and space.
Gravity Assist - podcast from NASA about the solar system
StarDate - a daily guide to the night's sky
Life sciences podcasts - podcasts that look at squishy, smelly, weird, and vital things.
BioLogic - exploring concepts in biology
Biologic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis - monthly news on Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment
Branding Bacteria - exploding topics in microbiology
Bugs and Stuff - a podcast about science, bugs, and being a graduate student.
TWIV (This Week In Virology) - self explanatory
Naked Genetics - genetics news
Naked Neuroscientists - neuroscience news
Novel Targets - science around innovative new drugs, gene, and cell therapies
Orgin Stories - exploring the science behind human origins.
TeamRegeneratED - STEM cell researchers talk about regenerative medicine and all things science
Arthropodcast - all you need for bugs, insects, and pests
Hidden Brain - the science behind human behavior
Brain Science Podcast - Neuroscience fundamentals with Ginger Campbell
NeuroCurious - all things brain, body, mind, and culture
Axons and Axioms - neuroscience and philosophy
Bold Signals - hosted by John Borghi, a cognitive neuroscientist turned science communicator
Neurofriends Podcast - a podcast about the brain and neuroscientists
NeuWrite West - neuroscience podcast network with various podcast series
The Taproot - discussing the latest research in plant science
Biology of Superheros - science fact vs science fiction? Discussing the biology of superheros.
Inside the Petri Dish - dissecting topics in life sciences
This Podcast Will Kill You - covering everything you want to know about infectious diseases
Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology Podcast (University of Glasgow) - discussing cutting edge research
3-Minutes-3Rs - quick podcast summarizing the latest research and news in 3Rs (Replacement; Reduction; Refinement).
Podcasts about scientists and their experiences
Publish, Perish, or Podcast – a bunch of Australian researchers make inappropriate jokes then talk about professional development.
Sci not Sci - exploring what it means to be a scientist through interviews and discussions.
Superwomen in Science - discussing the past, present, and future of women in science
How to Science - exploring the human side of science.
PhDivas - academia, culture, and social justice across the STEM/humanities divide
Scientists not the Science - exploring what it means to be a scientist
Podcasts dedicated to science communication
SciComm Podcast - Doctor Mike and friends talk about science communication and their experiences
SciComm Monday - youtube podcasts about scicomm
Skeptics podcasts
The Reality Check (Ottowa Skeptics) - skeptics being skeptical
The Australian Skeptical Podcast - skeptics asking for evidence
The Skeptic's Guide to The Universe - skeptics being skeptical about things within The Universe.
Chemistry podcasts
Primo Levi's The Periodic Table (BBC R4) - a radio series where each episode is dedicated to a different element.
'Rial Talk - a podcast about materials
Periodic Table Podcast (Royal Society of Chemistry) - a podcast episode for every chemical element
Chemistry In Its Element (Chemistry World) - weekly podcast from the Royal Society of Chemistry
Physics Podcasts
Physics Frontiers - brief discussions on the edge of physics.
Physics World - podcast of the Institute of Physics 'Physics World' magazine
The Titanium Physicists Podcast - physicists talk about physics.
GEOSCIENCE Podcasts
Don't Panic Geocast - weekly podcast about geoscience and technology
Warm Regards - a podcast about climate change and global warming
MATHS/STATS PODCASTS
The Bayes Factor - a podcast about Bayesian statistics and other hot methodological issues in psychological research