Monday Science is back ! In this first Conversations with Dr Bahijja episode, I reflect on why perfectionism has sometimes got in the way of consistently making the podcast, and why I’m choosing conversation over perfection.

Then we get into the science.

I talk about AI and pharmaceutical data, academic freedom, what university education actually costs, why expertise alone may not be enough to build public trust in scientists, non-animal models in infectious disease research, and the bigger question of who decides what research gets funded.

There is also quantum physics, AI in pharma and, naturally, an Ig Nobel-winning experiment involving underwear buried in soil.

A curious, wide-ranging conversation about science, research, academia and the things that made me stop and think this week.

In this episode:

• AI, federated learning and pharmaceutical collaboration

• Academic freedom and higher education

• What makes people trust scientists?

• How research funding can shape scientific priorities

Have a question, comment or something interesting you’ve spotted in science? Get in touch with Monday Science — I may feature it in a future episode.

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