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Putting science on the airwaves
Ella McSweeney is a radio producer in RTÉ. She produced Quantum Leap, the weekly science series on RTÉ Radio 1 presented by Mary Mulvihill. “We feature snippets of scientists around Ireland and we look at the actual science behind what they do and try to explain it to the listener,” says Ella. The role of a radio producer involves many tasks. These include:
“A lot of it entails phoning people, talking to people and meeting people, which is great,” says Ella. “In Quantum Leap, what makes a good story is the story teller. If I can find scientists who are brilliant at explaining what they are doing, no matter how complicated it is or no matter how boring it might be, it can be the most exciting thing in the world.” Science and nature Ella studied science in Trinity and then worked at Ballyfermot Community Radio in Dublin after college. She then trained as a producer with the BBC, working in the science and nature department in London, before returning to Ireland and joining RTÉ Radio 1. Ella has always loved radio and was always interested in science so has managed to marry her big interests. She says the reason she loved science in school was because her teacher was so good. “I had the most amazing science teacher. He was really inspiring, really enthusiastic. He was a brilliant teacher,” she says. “The essence of what I do is about communication, but really what makes it is being curious and I’m kind of a nosey, curious person and I always have been. I’ve always talked a lot as well, so I just really enjoy it,” she says. “I really consider myself so lucky to be in this job because it allows me to meet so many people which is brilliant fun, and I’m getting paid for it. And I like science because it’s relevant to everything that we do.”
Learn more: Visit Quantum Leap on the web and listen to programmes Find out about digital radio |
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