The OIST Podcast
About the OIST Podcast
Welcome to the OIST Podcast, bringing you the latest in science and tech from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.
Each episode dives into the work of a different academic, bringing them out of the lab to talk about how their research is changing the world.
Guests include distinguished scientists from top institutions across the globe, as well as researchers making cutting-edge discoveries here in Okinawa.
Interviews are intended to provide short, accessible introductions to contemporary scientific topics, and how different research spaces are impacting society.
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Latest Podcast Episodes
Connectonomics #04 - Marek McGann
Mark speaks with theoretical cognitive scientist Marek McGann. Marek is a lecturer in the psychology department in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland.
In this episode they talked about Marek existing at the intersection of enaction and ecological psychology, the concept of behaviour settings and his understanding of agency as a multiscale affair, emergentism as a framing for embodied cognitive science, and the craft of research and education.
Connectonomics #3 - Laura Mojica
In episode #3 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with philosopher Laura Mojica. At the time of recording Laura was also working in the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at OIST. Laura works on the notion of normativity from an enactive standpoint, though she brings her experience working in analytic philosophy to bear on the topic. Laura is also very concerned with how enaction intersects with more cultural concerns and is interested in thinking about how enactive cognitive science can illuminate discussions about race, gender, intersectionality and so on.
Produced by Shane Byrne in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
Connectonomics #2 - Dr. Fred Cummins on embodiment as a frame for the sciences
Mark speaks with Dr. Fred Cummin, head of the Cognitive Science program at University College Dublin. Fred is a linguist and the originator of the field of study that is joint speech: where two or more people say the same thing at the same time, such as within religious rituals, at sporting events, or at political protests. Fred is also an incredibly well studied individual in a range of disciplines and has a profoundly philosophical, idiosyncratic and insightful take on embodiment as a frame within the sciences.
Produced by Shane Byrne in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
Connectonomics #1 - Dr. Tom Froese on embodied cognitive science and its implications
Mark speaks with Dr. Tom Froese, head of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).
The conversation touches on the central themes of embodied cognitive science and the enactive framework in particular, the methods of this approach, the mission of the unit at OIST, and some of the implications of developing or adopting such an understanding.
Produced by Shane Byrne in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
Photos by Keishu Asada, composite by Teresa Iglesias.
Cephalopod behavior with Teresa Iglesias
In this episode Dr. Teresa Iglesias, team leader for cephalopod support in OIST’s Animal Resources Section, talks about her career working with cephalopods, that is octopus, cuttlefish, and squid, and what they can tell us about animal behavior and two-stage sleep.
Connectomics: An introduction
The Connectomics podcast, a spinoff from the OIST podcast, explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technology and design. In this intro episode, host, Mark James, research fellow in OIST's Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, asks the question 'Where is my mind?' and introduces some ideas that will provide some surprising answers.
When robots become researchers with Prof. Hiroaki Kitano
Will robots become researchers? On this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Kitano talks about his vision for utilizing AI to move beyond human limitations in the lab and to revolutionize scientific discovery.
Evolution and Pokémon GO with Dr. Dan Warren
In this episode of the OIST podcast, Dr. Dan Warren talks about his many research projects, or ‘hobbies’, that use quantitative methods to answer questions about the natural world.
Women in STEM
Podcast host, Lucy Dickie, speaks to four female researchers about the challenges that come with being a woman working in STEM, their own personal experiences, and what they would like to see change.
Symbiosis and evolution with Prof. Filip Husnik
In this episode, Prof. Filip Husnik, who leads the Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit, talks about his research on symbiosis. Tune in to hear about coral reefs, insects, the deep sea, and Okinawa’s star sand.
Cephalopods and neuroethology with Prof. Sam Reiter
This episode, Lucy Dickie speaks to Prof. Sam Reiter about cephalopods, the emerging field of neuroethology, and how we can learn more about the brain and intelligence.
Lucy Dickie speaks to Dr. Chris Petoukhoff
Scientific outreach and the OIST Science Festival
This episode is all about scientific outreach. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to a community relations staff member and two scientists about outreach and what it was like running the annual OIST science festival during the time of COVID-19.
Climate change in the Pacific with Professor Tim Ravasi
It’s part two of our clownfish podcast! Professor Tim Ravasi uses clownfish to determine how a warmer, more acidic ocean might impact fish communities. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie caught up with him to find out more.
Clownfish and the evolution of development with Professor Vincent Laudet
This episode is all about clownfish! Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to Professor Vincent Laudet who leads OIST’s Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit and uses the well-known orange-and-white fish as his model species.
Margaret Mars Brisbin
Plankton research and marine conservation with Margaret Mars Brisbin
Margaret Mars Brisbin is a recent OIST graduate whose PhD focused on Acantharians – tiny, marine organisms. Science communication fellow, Lucy Dickie, spoke to Maggi about this research, marine conservation more broadly, and why it’s important for marine scientists to inspire others to care about the ocean. For more information, read her recently published paper or the accompanying blog post.
Prof. Mary Collins
OIST’s response to COVID-19 with Professor Mary Collins
Prof. Greg Stephens
The Physics of Behavior with Greg Stephens
Marine Science at OIST
Radical Collaboration with James Higa
A friendship of a decade: Dr. Tamar Gutnick pets her favorite tortoise, George, a 100-year-old Aldabra tortoise housed in Vienna Zoo.
Animal Behavior with Tamar Gutnick
