Swinburne University, my alma mater, has recently started publishing podcasts covering research programs at the university. It is often very difficult to keep abreast of research goings-on without keeping a constant reading program of appropriate journals. Even a lot of the journal articles I do read are too terse for an outsider to easily penetrate. I see these podcasts as a good way for scientists and other researcher to communicate passion for their studies. Topics include.

• The Wigglez of the Universe from the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
• Towards Absolute Zero on an Atom Chip from the Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy (CAOUS)

Go here for viewing pleasure.

On a slightly different tack is the creatively off-beat Make Magazine. Make publishes a traditional dead-tree magazine that rarely makes an appearance on Australian shelves (although I think McGills carry it) and a regular podcast program. Ever wanted to make your own Rubik's cube out of dice, Jam Jar Jet! (PDFCast), or Teeny Tiny Solar Robots.

Enjoy.