Why Is It So?

Why Is It So?
Title card (2015 - Present)
Genre	Science communication Science journalism
Presented by	Dr Anna Oakley
Country of origin	Novella Islands
Original language	English
Production
Running time	60 minutes
Production companies	Logistics and production coordination: Novellan National Media Directorate Cinematography: Stagehand Film
Release
Original network	Science One
Original release	27 January 1971 - Present

Why Is It So? is a Novellan science communication and journalism program, broadcast by the Novellan National Media Directorate on Science One. One of the longest-running programs produced under the Directorate's programming umbrella, it has aired weekly since 1971, bringing innovations in science and technology to laypeople in an easily digestible manner. The stated objective of the program is to "provide an engaging and informative avenue for experts to discuss scientific and technological discoveries, their implications, and the ethical and political considerations that accompany them".

Format

Each episode runs for 60 minutes (although occasionally, special episodes are produced with a feature-length runtime of 120 minutes), with the entire episode centred around a specific topic area. The format is relatively consistent, with three main acts.

Setting the theme

In the beginning of each episode, the program's host - currently Dr Anna Oakley, a former surgeon, and now a popular science communicator - starts by laying out the topic to be discussed, explaining any potentially unintuitive concepts at a basic level (so that each episode is accessible to both the young, and those without a rigorous educational background), and posing a set of broad hypothetical questions.

Expert discourse

Various professional experts - from academics and researchers, to active industry practitioners, and rarely, students - are invited based upon their specific knowledge on the field being discussed, to give their views and provide a deeper insight than may be gleaned from a general science communicator. The number of guests can vary from episode to episode, from as few as just one, to as many as seven; on average, three guests appear per episode. To be invited to present on Why Is It So? is a high honour, representing the achievement of becoming a veritable subject matter expert, and many will commute internationally to accept the opportunity to appear. This portion takes the majority of the program's airtime, and often includes interesting practical demonstrations, where possible and appropriate.

Rounding out the discussion

Finally, to close out each episode, the program's host will attempt to relate back each of the expert's opinions and discussion to the set of questions posed in the opening act. Where possible, a conclusion is drawn or recommendations are made, based upon the information presented. Other times, the hypothetical scenarios are more open-ended, are left for the audience to consider in their own time.

Hosts

Years	Host
1971 - 1974	Dr Andy Stephenson
1974 - 1979	Dr Morgan Fry
1979 - 1989	Dr Melissa Preston
1989 - 1995	Dr Isaac Hart
1995 - 2011	Dr Kate Mars
2011 - 2015	Dr Samantha Spencer
2015 - Present	Dr Anna Oakley

Notable episodes

Year	Episode	Topic	Guest Experts
1981	Episode 46	Quantum Mechanics	Dr Sean Anderson ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology) Dr Alice Jenkins ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology) Dr Mark Stirling ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology)
1997	Episode 22	Climate Change	Dr Bethany O'Neill ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology) Dr Emma Porter ( Novella Islands University of Humanities) Professor Martin Taylor ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology)
2003	Episode 10	The Human Genome	Dr Claire Roberts ( Novella Islands Institute of Public Medicine) Dr Mark Collins ( Opthelian Imperial College) Professor Jack Williams ( Novella Islands University of Humanities)
2011	Episode 37	Exoplanets	Dr Michel Riou ( National Center for Astronomical Observation) Dr Richard Meyer ( Novella Islands Bureau of Aerospace Operations) ABC
2012	Episode 11	Artificial Intelligence	Professor David Huxley ( Opthelian Imperial College) Dr Sarah Lewis ( Novellan Institute of Science and Technology) Professor Johnathan Smith ( Novella City School of Law)
2021	Episode 32	EPISODE TITLE GOES HERE	Professor Hiranur Aksoy ( Jean-Philippe Salaun National Open University) Professor Amaya Morse ( University of Carville) KERLIAN PROFESSOR GOES HERE ( KERLIAN INSTITUTION GOES HERE)