scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast
Welcome to Scigest - podcast-sized servings of digestible science from Plant & Food Research. Join us as we explore the advancements and impact our scientists are making in food production, including developing new cultivars, innovative new foods, to bioprotection science, AI and technology, and creating sustainable production systems. Listen to our scientists as they share and discuss current research in Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond in this award-winning podcast collection. Make sure to visit www.plantandfood.com/scigest for even more information on Scigest!
To help you discover the podcast topics and research that interests you, Scigest is split into series, each covering different scientific topics. The series are as follows:
PPF: People|Planet|Food
FTS: From the sea
FTL: From the land
BDIS: Biosecurity, disease and insect science
STK: Science in the kitchen
NT: New technologies
ID: International development
SLFM: Science life for me (Our people)
SMAS: Science movers and shakers
SIS: Starting in science
- Update frequency
- every 14 days
- Episodes
- 177
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2025
The science of biofoul and making the most of a bad thing (FTS)
From shellfish and seaweeds to tiny amphipods, biofouling is the stubborn layer of life that clings to boats and marine structures, creating costly maintenance challenges. While some chemical treatme…
Sun 07 Sep 2025
Intellectual property in science (BTS)
How do you take a brilliant scientific idea and turn it into something that makes a real difference in the world? The answer often starts with intellectual property (IP).
For decades, Plant & Food …
Sun 24 Aug 2025
Silent Spring, Star Wars, and sustainable business (PPF)
What is sustainability, and how can businesses contribute to it? Why do many larger organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand align with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC)?
In this episode, host Ro…
Sun 10 Aug 2025
Sue Muggleston: Protecting ideas, powering discovery (SLFM)
Securing intellectual property (IP) for our research is now a vital aspect of science delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand, though this was not always the case.
In this episode of Scigest, Hilary Ireland…
Mon 28 Jul 2025
A natural defence for vineyard pests (BDIS)
Mealybugs may be tiny, but they’re causing big problems for Aotearoa New Zealand’s wine industry by spreading the destructive Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3).
In this episode of Scig…
Sun 13 Jul 2025
Using AI to help create new plant proteins (NT)
In this episode of Scigest, we delve into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of utilising artificial intelligence in science. Host and senior scientist Dr Jay Jayaraman chats with researcher Sar…
Sun 29 Jun 2025
Up-beet about sustainable sugar (PPF)
Grab a cuppa and prepare to be recharged by this high-energy chat with Dr Vicky Foster about the British sugar industry. Vicky has held various leadership roles within the UK food system, most recent…
Sun 15 Jun 2025
Packing a punch for sustainability (PPF)
Fancy a sprinkle of positivity? Then check out this conversation with Sarah Lei, Head of Sustainability at Trevelyan's Pack & Cool Ltd., an understated leader in the kiwifruit industry. Hear from Sar…
Tue 03 Jun 2025
People, planet, kiwifruit – with Rachel Depree (PPF)
What does it take to deliver sustainable livelihoods for growers, green international shipping, and support healthy nutrition around the globe? In this episode of People Planet Food, host Roger Robso…
Sun 18 May 2025
Under the Skin – Perfecting Nature’s Packaging (FTL)
The skin of fruit serves more than just a protective barrier; it acts as nature’s packaging—the first element we notice, touch, and often judge. In this episode, scientist and host Hilary Ireland cha…
Mon 05 May 2025
Trust, tech and the table: the future of food with Jack Bobo (SMAS)
Food futurist Jack Bobo joins scientist Hilary Ireland to explore the future of food production. From the impact of agriculture on the planet to the promise of new technologies like gene editing, Jac…
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Mette Nielsen: The incredibly beautiful thrips! (SLFM)
Most growers and home gardeners don't view thrips positively, but perhaps we could change your perspective. This week, data scientist and podcaster Tom Moore speaks to entomologist Mette Nielsen abou…
Fri 04 Apr 2025
Plant-based yoghurts (SITK)
Most people are already familiar with products like oat milk and almond butter, but what about barley yoghurt? Scientists at Plant & Food Research are developing a new plant-based product: yoghurt ma…
Fri 21 Mar 2025
Hope in turbulent times (PPF)
People | Planet | Food - Host Roger Robson-Williams speaks with sustainability experts Saskia Verraes and Martin Rich about the future they aspire to create through their work. They discuss the encou…
Fri 07 Mar 2025
The challenge of gene editing a plant (NT)
Gene editing is a new technology with the potential to breed new crops faster. With changing regulations worldwide on how gene editing can be incorporated into food production systems, what does it a…
Tue 18 Feb 2025
Bringing change through compost, carbon, and connection (PPF)
People | Planet | Food – In this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams chats with friend and colleague Stephen Wallace, Sustainability Manager at AgResearch and Plant & Food Research,
Stephen shares hi…
Thu 23 Jan 2025
Suzie Newman: A life in International development (SLFM)
Success in international development projects requires not only a variety of skills, including project management, people, and technical skills, but also a commitment to see jobs through and meet eve…
Tue 17 Dec 2024
A fresh look at steam power (PPF)
People | Planet | Food – in this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams delves into the innovative world of modern steam power with Jack Donaldson from Mackwell and Co., a Christchurch-based start-up pi…
Thu 05 Dec 2024
Fish bites: The Potential of Lab-Grown Food (FTS)
Cellular agriculture is an evolving technology where animal meat is grown in a lab using just their cells. This process is potentially an important way of producing animal protein in a sustainable an…
Mon 25 Nov 2024
Rebecca Campbell: Mapping out a career in geoinformatics (SLFM)
Geoinformatics is the analysis of spatial data using technology to understand and solve real-world problems.
Scientist and Scigest podcast host Dion Mundy speaks to fellow Scientist Rebecca Campbell …
Wed 06 Nov 2024
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