Chris Smith (science communicator)
Chris Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 16, 1975 United Kingdom |
| Occupation(s) | Virologist, academic, science communicator, radio presenter, author |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | The Naked Scientists podcast, science communication |
Chris Smith (born 16 January 1975), often referred to as "the Naked Scientist," is a British virologist and academic affiliated with Cambridge University. He holds a fellowship at Queens' College and is recognized as a consultant in virology. Smith is also an established science communicator through radio and writing, having created and hosted the The Naked Scientists podcast since 2001. This program is broadcast on BBC Radio and reaches an international audience, alongside his work on 5 Live Science on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Qualifications
Smith earned his medical degree (MB BChir) and completed a PhD specializing in virology at Cambridge University. Additionally, he holds a First Class Honours degree in neuroscience from University College London (UCL). He is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) and registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) as a specialist in medical microbiology and virology. His clinical practice is based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he serves as a consultant clinical virologist.
Naked Scientists podcast
Initiated by Smith in 2001, The Naked Scientists was among the earliest podcasts available on iTunes starting in 2005 and was the first BBC local or regional show to be offered as a podcast. The series quickly gained popularity, achieving 2 million downloads within its inaugural year.
By January 2010, approaching its tenth anniversary, the podcast had amassed 10 million downloads worldwide. At the 2011 AAAS Meeting, Smith revealed that global downloads had surpassed 17 million. While serving as Sir Walter Murdoch Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University in Perth during 2014, he announced that downloads had exceeded 40 million. Current figures estimate total international downloads to be over 140 million.
Other work
In addition to his work on the Naked Scientists, Smith appears live every Friday morning on Australia's ABC Radio National Breakfast alongside Fran Kelly, providing weekly updates on science news. He has contributed to Robyn Williams' The Science Show and hosts a half-hour science news program with listener interaction on Johannesburg's TalkRadio 702 each Friday morning. From 2011 through 2017, he was involved with Radio New Zealand National's This Way Up, and since 2013 has presented a Wednesday teatime science phone-in segment during Drive Time on BBC Radio Norfolk.
Up until May 2014, Smith delivered a weekly 25-minute science summary for BBC Radio 5 Live's Up All Night every Monday. This segment was subsequently replaced by the hour-long weekly 5 live Science show, produced by Smith and his team, airing Sunday mornings with occasional repeats.
Smith launched and hosted the initial 100 episodes of the Nature Podcast in 2005, pioneering audio content for one of the world's leading science journals. He has also produced podcasts for PLoS (Public Library of Science), established and led the Royal Society of Chemistry's "Chemistry World" Podcast for close to ten years, and since 2013 has been presenting the monthly eLife Podcast for the open access journal eLife.
He continues his role as consultant virologist at Cambridge University, maintains his fellowship at Queens' College, Cambridge, and serves as Public Understanding of Science Fellow at the Institute of Continuing Education.
Books
In September 2006, Chris Smith released Naked Science, a collection of scientific narratives inspired by The Naked Scientists. This was succeeded by Crisp Packet Fireworks in September 2008, co-written with David Ansell and published by New Holland, which presented 50 simple science experiments using everyday kitchen materials. Originally published in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the book was later issued under the title Maverick Science in South Africa and as Spectacular Science in the United States. In December 2008, Smith published a follow-up volume titled The Return of the Naked Scientist through Random House for audiences in Australia and New Zealand. His fourth book, Stripping Down Science, appeared in December 2010.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Smith engaged with global media outlets including television news networks, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show, and Radio New Zealand. He also co-hosted the "Commonsense coronavirus call-in" on BBC Radio 5 Live. His role involved providing expert insights into virus transmission, responding to public inquiries, and offering commentary on ongoing scientific and medical updates.
Awards and honours
Smith has been recognized with numerous awards: the Biosciences Federation Prize for Science Communication in 2006; the JOSH Award in 2007; the Peter Wildy Prize from the Society for General Microbiology in 2008; the Royal Society Kohn Award also in 2008; Best Radio Show at the Population Institute’s Global Media Awards that same year; the European Podcast Award for UK Non-Profit podcast; the Furness Prize from the Royal College of Pathologists in 2010; and the Science Communication Prize from the Society of Biology in 2012. In recognition of his contributions to broadcasting and public engagement, Queen Mary University of London awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2016. Additionally, in 2020, the Royal College of Pathologists presented him with an achievement award for his outstanding COVID-19 science communication efforts.
External links
- 21st-century English medical doctors
- English science writers
- Academics of the University of Cambridge
- English radio presenters
- British science journalists
- Science teachers
- Living people
- 1975 births
- ABC radio (Australia) journalists and presenters
- Academics of the Institute of Continuing Education
- Fellows of Queens' College, Cambridge