UNEXPECTED ELEMENTS

The news you know, the science you don't.

Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way.

Find the answers to all those questions of science that have puzzled people around the world – and maybe have your own questions answered as well!

Listen to the Unexpected Elements sizzle reel

I find Unexpected Elements to be a delight on the weekends. It’s an escape for our audience who, while they value being informed, need some breaks from the election-year daily news. It provides that timely reprieve with curiosity, rich sound, sharp writing, and a sense of discovery. I am a fan. - Stephanie Curtis, Program Director at MPR News

Host

Marnie Chesterton

Length

00:59:00

On-Air Promos

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Marnie Chesterton

Host, Unexpected Elements

Marnie Chesterton is the presenter on Unexpected Elements on the BBC World Service. She has two decades of experience of working in audio, predominantly in science and health programmes. She spent 7 years making science and environment output for Radio Netherlands Worldwide, and has been with the BBC since 2013, producing science radio and podcasts for the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. Her background is in anatomy, but she’s drawn to the magic of Dark Matter, and loves telling stories about how the world fits together.

Unexpected Elements airs weekly and is available via ContentDepot

Air window: Fridays 5:00 a.m. ET - Thursdays 11:59 p.m. ET

Please refer to the Rundown for full details.

  • 0:00 - 1:00 - Billboard 1
  • 1:00 - 6:00 - Newscast 1 & 2
  • 6:00 - 19:00 - Segment A
  • 19:00 - 20:00 - Cutaway 1
  • 20:00 - 29:00 - Segment B
  • 29:00 - 30:00 - Cutaway 2
  • 30:00 - 30:30 - Billboard 2
  • 30:30 - 32:30 - Newscast 3
  • 32:30 - 45:00 - Segment C
  • 45:00 - 46:00 - Cutaway 3
  • 46:00 - 59:00 - Segment D
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Broadcast Rights

Full broadcast rights for this program can be viewed and downloaded here. Prior to carrying this series, stations must confirm carriage with American Public Media.


Questions about carrying BBC World Service or your affiliation?