Carl Elliott Smith

Research topic: Frontlines of science and how bruit as part of the sonic narrative can augment journalism literary devices in science podcasts

Supervisors: Dr Richard Murray, Dr Caroline Graham  and Dr Natalie Collie

Research interests: journalism, podcasting, science journalism, sound design, broadcast journalism

Qualifications: BSc (Genetics), BJ (Hons, 1st)

Publications

Books

Ryan, J., & Smith, C. (Eds.) (2024). Best Australian Science Writing 2024. NewSouth Press.

Book chapters

Smith, C., & de Kruijf, P. (2025, forthcoming). Mystery seismic waves that rippled around Earth for nine days caused by Greenland Tsunami: Study. In Kean, Z., & Taylor, T. (Eds.), Best Australian Science Writing 2025. NewSouth Press.

Smith, C. (2023). Antimatter: How the world’s most expensive — and explosive — substance is made. In Lu, D. (Ed.), Best Australian Science Writing 2023. NewSouth Press.

Smith, C. (2020). How well prepared are we to deal with a catastrophic asteroid strike? In Phillips, S. (Ed.), Best Australian Science Writing 2020. NewSouth Press.

Smith, C. (2019). A pest in paradise. In Nogrady, N. (Ed.), Best Australian Science Writing 2019. NewSouth Press.

Smith, C. (2018). Bionic eyes, arms and spines are no longer science fiction. In Pickrell, J. (Ed.), Best Australian Science Writing 2018. NewSouth Press.

Peer-reviewed articles

Grealy, R., Herruer, J., Smith, C. L., Hiller, D., Haseler, L. J. & Griffiths, L. R. (2015). Evaluation of a 7-gene genetic profile for athletic endurance phenotype in Ironman Championship triathletes. PLoS One, 10(12). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696732/

Rowland, S. L., Damien, A., Giuliani, K. T. K., Harrison, J., Ieremia, M. T. N., Ramakrishna, M., Smith, C. L. E. & Wilson, C. B. G. (2014). The free energy interviews: Scientists and journalists collaborate in a cross-disciplinary research journey. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Information, 22(5). http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/CAL/article/view/8338/8474

Grealy, R., Smith, C. L., Chen, T., Hiller, D., Hasler, L. J., & Griffiths, L. R. (2013). The genetics of endurance: Frequency of the ACTN3 R577X variant in Ironman World Championship athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16(4). http://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(12)00187-9/pdf

Other selected outputs

The Demons in AI’s Data (digital comic, 2025) – Experimental narrative digital comic exploring the impacts of biased AI data.

Pacific Scientific (multimedia, 2023) – From volcanoes to secretive vaults, isolated islands to idyllic coastlines, Pacific Scientific takes you deep into the region to meet the scientists and communities living and breathing science and research.

Strange Frontiers (multimedia, 2023) – Meet the scientists working in unusual, hard-to-reach and off-limits parts of the world in this audio documentary series for ABC RN’s Science Show.

From a snowy alpine lair, lasers pierce the night (online & photojournalism, 2023) – Part of the Strange Frontiers series that showcases narrative journalism techniques and photography.

Chimeras in Medicine (audio, 2022) – A two-part series on ABC RN’s Health Report about medicine's use of animals for human tissue and organ transplantation.

Patient Zero (multimedia, 2021) – Senior Producer for this Eureka Prize-winning ABC podcast series about disease outbreaks, where they begin, how they happen, and how we can stop the next big one.

The Apocalypse (multimedia, 2019) – A multiplatform exploration of potentially apocalyptic natural disasters, and what we’re doing for the next big one on ABC RN’s Science Friction.

A Pest in Paradise (online & photojournalism, 2019) – Part of an ABC–BBC prodcution called "The Chase", explore the immense rat eradication effort underway on this uninhabited island.

Forgotten Women of Australian Computing (multimedia, 2019) – Meet the pioneering women of the early days of computing whose names were omitted from the history books for this ABC RN’s Science Friction series.

Bionic Bodies (multimedia, 2017) – A Walkley Award-winning deep dive into the world of bionic body parts, and how they might transform healthcare for ABC RN’s Science Show.

Energy Futures (Multimedia, 2015) – Come face to face with the alternative energy generation technologies that could power Australia’s future in this four-part audio series for ABC RN’s Science Show.

Short & Curly (Multimedia, 2015) – The much-loved, long-running ethics podcast for kids helps children, families and classrooms explore life’s curliest question.