Countercurrent: conversations with Professor Roger Kneebone

Roberto Trotta is Professor of Theoretical Physics at SISSA, the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy, where he directs SISSA's Interdisciplinary Lab. He's also Visiting Professor in Astrostatistics at Imperial College London. His most recent book Starborn: How the stars made us and who we would be without them was published in 2023 and has received widespread acclaim.  In this conversation we discuss how Roberto's work as a physicist and data scientist complements his work in science communication, and explore his concerns about the impact of current technological developments on the nature of our lives as humans. https://robertotrotta.com

Dr Elisa Cunial trained as a psychotherapist and practised for many years in London. She now works in Trieste, Italy as a counselling psychologist and ecotherapist. In this podcast we discuss the nature of her work and explore her ideas for expanding the boundaries of her current practice.  

Taslim Martin is an artist whose work takes many forms, including portraiture, design and site-specific works for public spaces. He lives and works in London, exhibits internationally and has works in the permanent collection of the British Museum and the Horniman Museum. In this conversation we discuss how his career has unfolded and explore some of the influences which have helped to shape it.  https://taslimmartin.com

Sarah Hart is a mathematician whose research focuses on group theory.  She is Professor Emerita at Birkbeck and Provost of Gresham College. In this podcast we explore her fascination with patterns, both in mathematical thinking and in the physical world. Sarah is well known for her ability to connect with a wide range of public audiences and she is passionate about exploring parallels between mathematics, language, art, history and music. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_B._Hart

Neal Peres Da Costa is Professor of Historical Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he founded the Historical Performance division in 2007. Before that he held academic posts in the UK.  Neal is an expert on performance on historical keyboard instruments including the harpsichord. Alongside his work as a soloist, chamber and continuo musician performing with leading ensembles across the world, he is fascinated by the processes of historical and contemporary recording. In this conversation we explore how insights from the past can inform current practice, whether in music or medicine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Peres_Da_Costa