Friday, October 16, 2026 Can AI design new life forms? In 2025, Stanford University PhD student Samuel King came up with a preliminary answer when he used a generative AI model to propose genetic blueprints for microscopic viruses. It isn’t yet an example of AI-generated life, but that could be next. Join senior AI reporter…

When stay-at-home mom Tracy Dixon-Salazar’s toddler developed severe epilepsy, she went to college, earned a PhD, and uncovered a genetic mutation that transformed her child's life.

When stay-at-home mom Tracy Dixon-Salazar’s toddler developed severe epilepsy, she went to college, earned a PhD, and uncovered a genetic mutation that transformed her child's life.

The radical life of Michael Faraday, whose lack of formal schooling freed him to unlock electromagnetism.

The author shares a week in their life as a PhD student, highlighting the unique challenges and routines they face. Balancing family responsibilities, meetings, and personal well-being, they emphasise the importance of prioritising mental health and understanding individual work rhythms. Each week may vary, stressing that everyone's journey is distinct.

Incarceration is rarely an isolated event but reflects cumulative institutional and interpersonal disadvantage across the life course. Although life-course crim...

Rosie Doyle and Fraser Robertson reveal the skills of academic life, from power poses to body language in the viva. Les Back reviews The PhD Handbook.

Join a subscriber-only conversation with one of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35.

Simon Scott 2 (Video); The Hidden Emotional Toll on Families of Long-Sentenced Prisoners This episode examines the often-overlooked emotional and social consequences faced by families of prisoners serving lengthy or life sentences. David Jones and Naomi Murphy talk with Simon Scott, a researcher with lived experience, about his groundbreaking PhD study on the ripple effects of incarceration on loved ones and society. Main Topics: * The emotional burden and "dark sentences" borne by families of long-term prisoners * Challenges and systemic absurdities within probation and criminal justice support systems * The societal stigma, moral contamination, and moral judgments attached to familial ties with convicted individuals * The concept of a "dark sentence" and its relational impact * Recommendations for recognizing families' roles and improving systemic support structures Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Simon Scott’s background and research focus 02:46 - Exploring why family impact of long sentences is vital to understand 04:28 - Methodology: research with family members of prisoners 06:00 - The importance of closeness and confidentiality in research 08:33 - The theme of family as emotional "punch bag" and displacement 11:09 - Family members’ roles in absorbing emotional blows 13:24 - Use of phenomenological language like "Kafkaesque" to describe systemic absurdities 14:11 - Real-life examples of systemic absurdities impacting families 16:06 - The political and systemic obstacles to compassionate policies 17:13 - Society’s difficulty in understanding and supporting families of prisoners 18:49 - The systemic assumption that more conditions equate to safety 20:20 - The absurdity in supporting evidence requests and policy inconsistencies 21:22 - Emotional distress, grief, and stigma experienced by families 23:03 - Coping mechanisms: silence, peer groups, and advocacy 24:49 - The social and relational "dark sentences" that extend beyond incarceration 27:16 - The concept of "dark sentences" and their emotional weight 30:07 - The relationship between families and probation services 32:56 - The societal tendency to stigmatize and judge loved ones of offenders 34:42 - The moral contamination of families associated with serious crimes 36:19 - Media influence on public attitudes and policy priorities 37:38 - What needs to change: recognition and systemic support for families 39:12 - Practical suggestions for offering support without systemic fear of repercussions 41:02 - Community-led and peer support networks as vital resources 42:07 - Personal reflections from Simon on the emotional toll of research 44:57 - Final thoughts on change and systemic reform 47:13 - Closing remarks and appreciation for sharing this challenging and vital research Resources & Links: * Partners of Prisoners (POPs) * Probation Services – Official UK Gov Site This episode examines the often-overlooked emotional and social consequences faced by families of prisoners serving lengthy or life sentences. David Jones and Naomi Murphy talk with Simon Scott, a researcher with lived experience, about his groundbreaking PhD study on the ripple effects of incarceration on loved ones and society. Main Topics: * The emotional burden and "dark sentences" borne by families of long-term prisoners * Challenges and systemic absurdities within probation and criminal justice support systems * The societal stigma, moral contamination, and moral judgments attached to familial ties with convicted individuals * The concept of a "dark sentence" and its relational impact * Recommendations for recognizing families' roles and improving systemic support structures Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Simon Scott’s background and research focus 02:46 - Exploring why family impact of long sentences is vital to understand 04:28 - Methodology: research with family members of prisoners 06:00 - The importance of closeness and confidentiality in research 08:33 - The theme of family as emotional "punch bag" and displacement 11:09 - Family members’ roles in absorbing emotional blows 13:24 - Use of phenomenological language like "Kafkaesque" to describe systemic absurdities 14:11 - Real-life examples of systemic absurdities impacting families 16:06 - The political and systemic obstacles to compassionate policies 17:13 - Society’s difficulty in understanding and supporting families of prisoners 18:49 - The systemic assumption that more conditions equate to safety 20:20 - The absurdity in supporting evidence requests and policy inconsistencies 21:22 - Emotional distress, grief, and stigma experienced by families 23:03 - Coping mechanisms: silence, peer groups, and advocacy 24:49 - The social and relational "dark sentences" that extend beyond incarceration 27:16 - The concept of "dark sentences" and their emotional weight 30:07 - The relationship between families and probation services 32:56 - The societal tendency to stigmatize and judge loved ones of offenders 34:42 - The moral contamination of families associated with serious crimes 36:19 - Media influence on public attitudes and policy priorities 37:38 - What needs to change: recognition and systemic support for families 39:12 - Practical suggestions for offering support without systemic fear of repercussions 41:02 - Community-led and peer support networks as vital resources 42:07 - Personal reflections from Simon on the emotional toll of research 44:57 - Final thoughts on change and systemic reform 47:13 - Closing remarks and appreciation for sharing this challenging and vital research Resources & Links: * Partners of Prisoners (POPs) * Probation Services – Official UK Gov Site

Friday, October 16, 2026 Can AI design new life forms? In 2025, Stanford University PhD student Samuel King came up with a preliminary answer when he used a generative AI model to propose genetic blueprints for microscopic viruses. It isn’t yet an example of AI-generated life, but that could be next. Join senior AI reporter…