A Sir Walter Murdoch Distinguished Adjunct Professor, Dr Smith has been presenting the award-winning BBC radio program The Naked Scientists since 2001, bringing science to the general public in an interesting and easy to understand way.

The program’s mix of serious explorations and cheeky fun has made it one the most popular podcasts in the world, with hundreds of millions of downloads.

“We want to help people enjoy science as much as we do, and at the same time, to have fun,” he said in the lead up to his first visit to Murdoch in 2012 for the OA2012 conference exploring the growing field of ‘Omics’, which includes genetic and related research.

A practising virologist, Dr Smith presented at OA2012 and gave a talk to local science teachers on ways to better engage their students.

It wasn’t long before The Naked Scientist was back on campus, entertaining crowds in 2013 at National Science Week events in Perth, Rockingham and Mandurah, and at Murdoch’s annual Open Day.

"Murdoch University recognises the need to inspire young people about a career in science and research through engagement and role modelling. Chris has an incredibly engaging personality and terrific communicator," Professor David Morrison, then Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research at Murdoch University said at the time.

Described as a spectacular, fun and explosive (but safe) experience, The Naked Scientists took things back to basics, and showed how exciting it can be with crowds witnessing a flame tornado, wall of foam and the 'Gherkinator'.

The Naked Scientists also performed for students and teachers in Rockingham and Mandurah, as part of the Murdoch Aspirations and Pathways for University (MAP4U) Project. 

"We want students in Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah to believe they can achieve, especially in science. Hopefully, The Naked Scientists will help them realise that the possibilities for study in science are endless!" Then Pro Vice Chancellor Engagement Professor Andrew Taggart said in the lead up to the performance.

Dr Smith was back with a bang the following year, performing an explosive science show to hundreds of school children during at National Science Week.

He performed his famous Naked Scientist Show several times – for high school students from the Rockingham, Mandurah and Murdoch areas and twice for crowds at the Murdoch University Open Day.

Professor Taggart said Murdoch wanted to work with schools in the Rockingham and Peel areas to encourage more students to study science.

“With some schools struggling to attract students to study science disciplines, initiatives like The Naked Scientist shows are important parts of building science in the regions,” he said.

Dr Smith made the most of his trip down under, taking part in a range of events across WA and meeting hundreds of people along the way.

In Kalgoorlie, Dr Smith was one of four panelists at a ‘Profs and Pints’ event, and he was joined by well-known science personalities Professor Lyn Beazley and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki on trips to Albany and Manjimup where they presented at the Growing Science Forum and encouraged students to consider a career in science.

After a break for a couple of years, Dr Chris was back showing fun science at Murdoch in 2017 and 2018, and returned in 2019 to deliver science communication workshops with one lucky researcher earing the opportunity to hone her science communication skills with the best in the world on an internship with Dr Smith’s BBC show.

Dr Mariana Campos, from Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute, spent eight weeks living and working at Cambridge University in the UK. During her stay, Dr Campos conducted interviews, wrote articles, and edited and produced her own 30-minute podcast on biosecurity, which was aired on BBC 5 live, Radio National Australia and released on the Naked Scientists Podcast.

COVID meant a pause in The Naked Scientist’s visits down under, but he has continued to share his communication expertise with the Murdoch community, and we look forward to welcoming him back to campus again soon.