Rough Science . Mike Bullivant Interview

Series 2: Carriacou

Series 3: New Zealand

Series 4: Death Valley

Capraia Interview: Mike Bullivant

What kind of scientist are you?

I am (or, at least, I used to be) an organic photochemist. Organic photochemistry is the study of the effect of light on compounds containing carbon; in my case, the active chemicals in pyrethrum insecticides.

How did you get to where you are today?

I studied maths, metallurgy and chemistry at university, took an honours degree in pure chemistry, then spent 3 years doing research for my PhD at Cardiff University. I've worked in the Chemistry Department at the Open University since then.

Who and/or what were some of the influences on you when you were at school/university?

Without doubt, the biggest influence was Mr Fulton, the Head of Chemistry at my old Grammar school in Handsworth, Birmingham. He was the first to encourage my interest in Chemistry.

Why did you choose to study science?

Mr Fulton (or 'chrome dome' as he was known — he was bald) used to give us money if we scored over 70% in his Chemistry exams. Being mercenary sorts, my mates and I would work like stink for our chemistry exams, often at the expense of other subjects.

What other interests do you have outside Science?

Acting, directing plays, performing stand-up comedy, world music, rock scrambling with my mate Ricky, summer festivals, travelling and generally having fun.

What do you consider to be the greatest scientific achievements of the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries?

John Dalton's contribution to the debate on atoms in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Darwin's theories on natural selection in the 19th century changed the course of biology and our view of ourselves and the world. The unravelling of the molecular structure of DNA by Watson, Crick and others in the 1950s, and the developments in Genetics that have sprung from it, must be some of the greatest scientific achievements of the last century.

What answers would you like science to provide in the next ten years?

I'd like the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence to meet with some, even limited, success. That might force us to re-examine the rather arrogant and self-centred view we have of our place in the Universe, and to revise much else of our current thinking.

Which scientist impresses you most?

There are many, but, of contemporary scientists, I think Richard Dawkins is pretty impressive as a communicator of science and scientific ideas.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of embarking on a career in science?

Go for an area that inspires you, find out as much as you can about it, and stick with it. The longer you do, the more fun it gets — really! The hardest and most tedious bits are at the beginning. In my experience your schooldays aren't necessarily 'the best days of your life'!

What's your recollection of your first involvement in science?

Experimenting with home-made gunpowder with friends when I was about 12. I don't recommend it though. We were lucky; others have lost their sight doing the same thing!

What do you hope to have achieved by contributing to the 'Rough Science' TV series?

To have encouraged at least one person to look a little more closely at the world around them (perhaps even to the point of studying science — with the Open University?). I'd also like to think that we've dispelled a few myths about science and scientists, in that science can be fun, and that scientists are just ordinary people, capable of enjoying themselves, and just as capable of cock-ups as anyone else.

What would you like to be doing in ten years time?

Much the same as I'm doing now, I guess. Perhaps presenting more science programmes on TV and Radio though — something I do a lot of already. I'd like to do more though.

What was your most memorable experience while filming 'Rough Science'?

Driving down to Gatwick [Airport] on our first trip out to Capraia, not knowing where we were headed or what awaited us at the other end. That was exciting. In fact, the whole experience of working with such a fantastic, fun-loving group of people (not only the on-screen contributors, but the whole production team) was remarkable.

At parties, how do you explain to people what you do for a living?

I only tell if asked, because when I say I'm involved with teaching Chemistry at the Open University, people suddenly find they have a subsequent engagement ... or could it just be me?

Why do you think science has sometimes had such a bad press?

Sometimes it's just down to ignorance, thoughtlessness and/or inexcusably bad journalism. However, many journalists work to such pressing deadlines, and then their copy's butchered by a sub-editor who has a different set of criteria for deciding what's eventually printed or broadcast.

Which aspect(s) of science frightens you most?

The possibility of its misuse by the unscrupulous: nuclear weapons, eugenics and chemical warfare to name just a few examples.

It's also a little worrying that the ethical questions arising from some of the latest developments in science aren't being addressed until after the advances have been made. How far do we use genetic engineering techniques to produce designer babies, or otherwise tamper with Nature, for instance? Does a company or individual have a right to patent parts of the Human Genome? There are plenty of similar instances of the ethics lagging behind the science.

Mike's main page

Major funding for Rough Science was provided by the National Science Foundation. Corporate funding was provided by Subaru.