Beki Hill

An ex-scientist who has recently finished her PhD thesis, Beki decided she'd had enough of Bunsen burners and yeast so made the jump into journalism. She's had experience working at Sense About Science and the Science Media Centre and helped launch the Sheffield British Science Association branch, Science Brainwaves. In her spare time she is a cake baker, pie taster and karate-ka.

[email protected]
Follow Beki on Twitter @BekiHill
Find Beki’s blog here www.thebeksfiles.wordpress.com

Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

by Beki Hill

Apr 142011

Henrietta and her husband, David Lacks

In trying to remember if I’d ever read a non-fiction book I realised that of course I had, and, actually, that most were about science. But none have gripped me in the same way as the book I just finished. In just over 24 hours I had turned the last page of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and realised why it received such critical acclaim.

I tend not to enjoy harping on about a good book – I want to appreciate them for what they are; not dissect their every sentence, hunting for hidden meanings whose beauty and subtleties are only destroyed when you try to describe them.

This book, however deserves every ounce of praise and every award it is given.

Audio: Dentistry and the NHS reforms

by Beki Hill

Apr 072011

Are the changes to the NHS something dentists can smile about?

As the media focuses the majority of its attention on the formation of GP consortia, has dental health care been overlooked? Beki Hill asks what the dissolution of the Primary Care Trusts and the creation of a National Commissioing Board will mean for dentistry.

She interviewed Barry Cockcroft, the Chief Dental Officer; Colette Bridgman, a consultant in public dental health in Manchester; Professor Jimmy Steele from Newcastle University; and Nigel Hill, a General Dental Practitioner in Greater Manchester.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:29 — 8.9MB)

Podcast: Solar Cells, Mental Health and Sexual Nature

by Beki Hill, Richard Masters and Louise Ogden

Apr 072011

Jason Clarke and Mike Jones on top of City's Tait Building

Welcome to the latest Elements podcast. This time we’re focussing on how solar cells affect policy, as well as discussing the controversial issue of whether mental health should be treated medically. But it’s not all so serious, we also hear about the sexual behaviour of everything from bonobos to rabbits, and even what men look for in a woman. Join Louise Ogden and Richard Masters as they discover the latest and greatest on the Elements website.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:01 — 16.5MB)

Podcast: Incoming Meteorites and Oil Drama

by Beki Hill, Louise Ogden and Richard Masters

Mar 242011

The levitating train, or SuperTrans II - just one of the topics in this fortnight's podcast

Welcome to this fortnight’s Elements podcast with Beki Hill, Louise Ogden and Richard Masters.

We’ve got everything from goal-line technology and levitating trains to exploding meteorites; fuel crises to the story of Benito Mussolini ridding vast areas of marshland of the malaria parasite.

Listen to find out more, and if you’ve got any comments, questions or ideas for next time we’d love to hear them! Remember to keep up to date with all the stories we talk about, and to find out when the next podcast is up, follow us on Twitter: @elementsscience.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:57 — 15.5MB)

Audio: Meteorites, fatal or fruitful?

by Beki Hill

Mar 232011

Meteorites are normally associated with mass extinctions, but could some be good for the Earth’s health?

From killing off the dinosaurs to starring in multiple Hollywood blockbusters, meteorites have long fascinated millions.

Dr Ted Nield, Editor of Geoscientist magazine, talks to Beki Hill about his latest book, Incoming!; the chances of Earth being hit by a meteorite, and the all important question of whether the best option would be to send up the crew of Armageddon. And have all meteorites have been bad for the planet?

Listen to find out…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:33 — 9.0MB)

For a full review of this book, you can read Djuke Veldhuis’ article in the Reviews section.