The College of Science’s Discover Science Lecture Series will bring “Ologies” podcast host Alie Ward to campus on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. to share how curiosity can lead to incredible things. Besides her Discover Science lecture, Ward will visit with first-generation students for a pizza lunch and join Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science students Katrina Perce and Ai Ana Richmond on the Discover Science podcast. for this event is free and open to the public.
Ward, an Emmy-winning science communicator, started “Ologies” in 2017. Each episode features a conversation with one or more experts in the field of discussion. The first episode was released on September 3, and eight years later, she’s found over 300 -ologies to explore.
Ward releases a new episode of the podcast each week. The episodes started with some more recognizable -ologies, like volcanology, paleontology and cosmetology. Over time, Ward has found experts on increasingly niche or relatively unknown fields, like confectionology (candy), canistromology (basket weaving) and salugenology (hobbies).
Ward also donates a portion of the ad revenue from each episode to a charity or nonprofit organization chosen by the expert she hosts on the episode. To date, over 240 charitable organizations have been supported by these donations.
Outside of “Ologies” Ward has served a consulting role on Netflix’s “Ada Twist, Scientist” and “Waffles + Mochi” and has made appearances on several science- and cooking-themed shows.
This Discover Science lecture will appeal to science lovers and podcast enthusiasts alike. After the lecture, the College of Science and Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science invites attendees to enjoy a social with desserts and beverages, thanks to the generous support of Mick Hitchcock.
