Building Blocks Of The Universe - With Professor Alessandro Sfondrini The Random Sample podcast

47:44

We’re diving into the design and development of the tools that have transformed data science and statistical programming — with none other than Dr Hadley Wickham. Hadley is the Chief Scientist at Posit (formerly RStudio), where he leads the Tidyverse team. This team is behind some of the most widely used open-source packages in the R programming language — including dplyr and ggplot2 . These tools have empowered thousands of data scientists and researchers to explore complex datasets and communicate insights through compelling visualisations. In this episode, Hadley shares key lessons he’s learnt from over two decades of building and maintaining open-source software. We also look ahead, as he discusses where he sees data science tooling headed — and the principles that will shape its future. Our host is Cynthia Huang. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/hadley-wickham/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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From Silo to Solution: Unlocking climate & social data that can drive change 39:04

24 days ago39:04

39:04

Researchers and decision-makers face a familiar challenge: data exists, but it’s often locked away. Once research is published, the underlying data and analysis frequently vanish into private repositories—accessible only through time-consuming permissions or technical expertise. For those working on urgent issues like climate change and public health, these data silos slow progress and limit impact. In this episode, we look at AusEnHealth , a project aiming to change that. As Australia’s first national digital environmental health decision support platform, AusEnHealth is being designed to bring together fragmented datasets and make them easier to access, explore, and use. The goal is to offer interactive visualisations and built-in analytics that deliver rapid insights—even for those without the time, tools, or training to process complex data on their own. Our guest for this episode is Dr Aiden Price, a Senior Research Fellow with the QUT Centre for Data Science and one of the lead researchers in this project. Our host is Tanya Dodgen, a PhD Candidate at QUT. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ausenhealth/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Beyond ChatGPT: The Rapidly Evolving Landscape of AI - with Professor Simon Angus 59:48

25 weeks ago59:48

59:48

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s here, embedded in almost every technology we use. It’s one of the most transformative forces of our time, and in this episode, we’re unpacking what that means, focusing on the powerful engines behind it: large language models, or LLM’s. A year and a half ago, The Random Sample did an episode exploring the science behind ChatGPT and its groundbreaking use of LLM’s. Fast forward to now, and the A-I landscape has already shifted dramatically. The pace of innovation is staggering. Today, we’re bringing back our guest from that previous episode. Simon Angus is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Monash University. Simon is also a Principal Investigator with SoDa Labs at Monash Business School, a research lab that applies new tools from data science and machine learning to answer social science questions. Simon will help us navigate what’s new, and what we should be thinking about as AI continues to reshape the world. Whether you’re new to AI and unsure where to start, or already exploring how it can transform your work or life, this episode has something for you. Understanding this transformative technology isn’t optional. It’s essential – and Simon is here to break it all down in a way that’s clear, approachable, and practical. Our host is Pranita Shrestha, a PhD Candidate at the Action Lab in the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University. Episode webpage with links: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/beyond-chatgpt-ai-landscape/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Many Hands of AI: Responsibility and Regulation - with Dr Henry Fraser 34:42

27 weeks ago34:42

34:42

This is the second part of our special two-part series, where we dive into the surprising and unexpected ways artificial intelligence, or AI, and the law intersect. This episode takes a closer look at the evolving efforts to regulate AI—an urgent issue that governments and leaders across Australia and around the world are tackling right now. We delve into the complexities of assigning responsibility and managing risks in AI systems—especially when so many hands contribute to their creation. How do you hold a system accountable when its impacts can be so widespread and unpredictable? Our guest is Dr. Henry Fraser, a Research Fellow in Law, Accountability, and Data Science at QUT and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society. His research focuses on developing laws that encourage responsible automated decision-making. Our host for this series is Dr. Aaron Snoswell, a senior research fellow in A-I accountability at the QUT Generative AI Lab, and co-lead of the Responsible Data Science and A-I program at the QUT Centre for Data Science. There is more information and links to some of Dr Fraser's work on our website: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ai-law-part-2/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The New Reality of AI and the Law - with A/Prof Michael Guihot 37:47

29 weeks ago37:47

37:47

This is the first of our two-part series on a topic that’s sweeping the headlines: Artificial Intelligence or A-I. But we’re taking a different angle, one that many in the data and mathematical sciences might not consider often, but absolutely should. We’re talking about the law! This series will dig into the surprising intersections between A-I and legal frameworks—and the ways in which they’re increasingly intertwined. This episode gets into the here and now – how A-I is already impacting legal practice and policy. Our guest, Associate Professor Michael Guihot from QUT’s School of Law, is an expert on the intricate connections between emerging technologies and the legal system. He studies the societal impacts of innovations like A-I and how they challenge traditional legal frameworks. Guihot also brings A-I into his classroom, giving future legal minds hands-on experience with the technology that will shape their field. Our host for this series is Dr. Aaron Snoswell, a senior research fellow in A-I accountability at the QUT Generative AI Lab, and co-lead of the Responsible Data Science and A-I program at the QUT Centre for Data Science. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ai-law-part-1/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Mathematics, creativity & connection: Rethinking maths education in Australia 57:04

31 weeks ago57:04

57:04

High school mathematics in Australia is often driven by one thing: those high-stakes Year 12 exams. In this episode, we take a fresh look at how high school maths is taught. We’re joined by someone who’s making waves in education: Donna Buckley, a mathematics and cybersecurity teacher from John Curtin College of the Arts in Western Australia. In 2023, Donna received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools, recognised for inspiring students of all backgrounds to see the power of maths beyond the classroom and even opening their eyes to careers in STEM. Donna brings a unique perspective on the gap between what mathematicians do and what high school maths has become. Donna also shares how she is shaking things up in the classroom, inspiring creativity, and connecting maths to her students’ interests – whether it’s the geometry of fashion, the patterns in textiles, or even using Dr. Seuss to introduce concepts in AI and chatbots. This episode covers a lot of ground on the perceptions of maths and how it’s taught, so get ready for an eye-opening discussion.Our host for this episode is Rose Crocker, an applied mathematician with the Australian Institute of Marine Science. You can find links to what Donna talked in the episode on our website: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/maths-education-donna-buckley/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Maths Models Shed New Light on Hidden Heart Risks – with Professors Helen Byrne & Mary Myerscough 31:43

33 weeks ago31:43

31:43

Atherosclerosis is a silent but deadly condition. It happens when your arteries get clogged with plaque, restricting blood flow and putting you at serious risk for heart attacks and strokes. But here’s the fascinating part: maths is stepping up to help doctors and scientists understand how this condition develops and progresses. In this episode, we’re joined by two brilliant minds who organised a recent research program at MATRIX, Australia’s residential institute for the mathematical sciences. University of Oxford Professor Helen Byrne sits down with the University of Sydney’s Professor Mary Myerscough. Together, they unpack the complexities of using maths to model biological conditions like atherosclerosis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Shaping the Equation: The 2024 WIMSIG Conference 29:46

35 weeks ago29:46

29:46

The 2024 WIMSIG Conference celebrates the achievements of women, trans and gender diverse people in the mathematical sciences. WIMSIG stands for the Women in Mathematics Special Interest Group. The group is a part of the Australian Mathematical Society. WIMSIG just wrapped up its third-ever conference with a big gathering in Sydney. In this episode, we’ll explore how WIMSIG came into being, why it’s so important, and what it means for all those who attend a WIMSIG conference. Our guests are: Professor Jennifer Flegg – The University of Melbourne and Chair of the WIMSIG Executive Committee Professor Jessica Purcell – Monash University and President of the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS) Professor Lesley Ward – University of South Australia and Chair of the 1st WIMSIG Conference The host is Dr Sevvandi Kandanaarachchi, a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO. Episode link: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/wimsig-conference/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Publication Puzzle: Navigating the World of Academic Publishing - Pt 3 57:21

37 weeks ago57:21

57:21

The Perils of "Publish or Perish". This episode of The Random Sample is the final instalment in our special three-part series on navigating the world of academic and scientific publishing. In it, we dive deep into the dilemma - and what many see as the pervasive mindset - known simply as publish or perish. Our guest is QUT statistician Professor Adrian Barnett. As part of all the research he does, Adrian uses the power of statistics to reveal the pressures and pitfalls of the current system. Plus, we explore questions like: Can things change? Should they? What can academics and journals do to make the system better? Our host for this episode is Dr James Nichols, a mathematician and Lecturer at the Australian National University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Publication Puzzle: Navigating the World of Academic Publishing - Pt 2 58:05

39 weeks ago58:05

58:05

The Challenges of Publishing Interdisciplinary Research. This episode of The Random Sample is the second instalment in our special three-part series into the world of academic and scientific publishing. In it, we delve into the challenges of publishing interdisciplinary research with special guest, Professor Xiao-Li Meng, founding editor-in-chief of the Harvard Data Science Review. We explore: How to choose a journal when the research crosses disciplinary boundaries The important role researchers in the mathematical and data sciences can play in this type of research The challenges editors and reviewers face with interdisciplinary research Plus, Professor Meng discusses his motivation for creating the Harvard Data Science Review, and what he does to challenge researchers to communicate their research more broadly. Our host for this episode is Cynthia Huang, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/the-publication-puzzle-part-2/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Publication Puzzle: Navigating the World of Academic Publishing - Pt 1 58:09

41 weeks ago58:09

58:09

We’ve all heard the saying, “publish or perish”. But what does that really mean in today’s world of academic publishing? Scientific publishing has been shaping knowledge since the 17th century. Today, it's bigger, and more complex, than ever. Yet, for many inside the world of science, it remains a maze of confusion. For those outside of it, it’s practically a black box. In a special three-part series, The Random Sample will take you behind the scenes to explore the realities of the publication process. This episode is the first in this series. We’ll begin by answering some fundamental questions: How does academic publishing really work? What factors influence the decision on where to publish? And what happens when a journal reviews a submitted paper? Our guest is University of Melbourne mathematician Distinguished Professor Peter Taylor, who shares his perspective as both an Academic and editor-in-chief of two applied probability journals. Our host is Dr Sevvandi Kandanaarachchi, a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO. Episode page: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/the-publication-puzzle-part-1/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Trailer: The Publication Puzzle - Navigating the World of Academic Publishing 3:13

41 weeks ago3:13

3:13

Starting Wednesday, 28 August, The Random Sample will bring you a special three-part series exploring the world of academic publishing. Listen to this short trailer so you know what to expect! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Grapes & Algorithms: the Data Science of Sustainable Winemaking 45:44

43 weeks ago45:44

45:44

Here’s something to toast to. Australia’s wine industry is leading the way when it comes to a very important issue: sustainability. And Data Science is helping the industry do that! In this episode, we explore the Data Science project being carried out by the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), how and why it started, and how grape growers and wine makers are coming to embrace these new data-driven efforts. Our guests are Mardi Longbottom, General Manager for Industry Development and Support at the AWRI, and Bryce Polley, a PhD Candidate at the QUT Centre for Data Science and the University of Adelaide working with AWRI. Our host is Tim Macuga, Senior Project Officer for the QUT Centre for Data Science and the Australian Data Science Network. Website link: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/data-for-sustainable-winemaking/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Coping with Climate Anxiety - with Dr Alexandra Knight 39:56

49 weeks ago39:56

39:56

Have you heard of, or are you experiencing, eco-grief or climate anxiety? For many STEM researchers, including those in the mathematical and data sciences, this is becoming a very real thing as they explore and tackle problems and questions about the environment and climate. But just how serious of a problem is this for the STEM community? A group of women, who met as part of their involvement with the Homeward Bound project, have decided to team up and find out. They just completed of survey of researchers to find out how climate change is affecting the people who study it. In this episode, we explore some of what they have already uncovered. Plus, some tools and some messages of hope they have for anyone who might be experiencing these feelings. Our guest is Dr Alexandra Knight, an Ecologist and Environmental Sociologist at Charles Sturt University. Our host for this episode is Rose Crocker, an applied mathematician with the Australian Institute of Marine Science. NOTE: We understand this discussion may affect some of you. If so, head to our webpage for this episode. We have provided a list of contacts and resources for climate anxiety and eco-grief support: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/climate-anxiety-alexandra-knight/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Scientific Graphic Design for Communicating Research - with Dr Jess Jopf 49:00

51 weeks ago49:00