Howard Burton

An illuminating examination of Sofonisba Anguissola's iconic masterpiece as a window into the artist's full oeuvre while painting a detailed picture of Sofonisba's journey and the world she lived in to become one of the most accomplished female artists of her time. At a time when women were typically regarded as objects or madonnas to be represented in art, Sofonisba Anguissola (1532/5-1625) was something very different indeed: a highly respected painter and teacher who interacted with the likes of Michelangelo and Anthony van Dyck, and whose remarkable portraits were enthusiastically sought by many of the most powerful figures of the age. The Chess Game by Sofonisba is a remarkable group portrait of three of her sisters and a maid. It is widely considered to be one of her most compelling and innovative artworks: a painting whose many subtle levels of meaning offer a fascinating window on Sofonisba, her family, and contemporary 16th-century values.

A detailed examination of The School of Athens, unveiling its rich symbolism and the subtle levels of meaning to provide viewers with a profound sense of the elaborately constructed beauty and harmony of this extraordinary masterwork by Raphael.

Five scientists (Carol Padden, Victor Ferreira, Martin Monti, Ellen Bialystok, Greg Hickok) explore the question of what language is, from investigations on bilingualism and its relation with neuroplasticity to what it means to have an impairment when using sign language.

Three theoretical physicists (Freeman Dyson, Artur Ekert, Nima Arkani-Hamed) and one philosopher (James Robert Brown) reflect on different aspects of "mathematical Platonism" - the belief that numbers and mathematical concepts somehow have an existence independent of space, time, and us.

We hear from a broad cross-section of scientists (13 in total) who give their thoughts on the pros and cons of the way researchers engage with the general public. Researchers featured in this compilation: Nima Arkani-Hamed, Claudia de Rham, Freeman Dyson, Joanna Haigh, Justin Khoury, Nick Lane, Tony Leggett, Jenny Nelson, Stephen Scherer, Paul Steinhardt, Jill Tarter, and Scott Tremaine.

Five renowned scholars (Barbara Fredrickson, Philip Zimbardo, Diana Deutsch, Roy Baumeister and Chris Frith) explain the driving factors which led them to study psychology and become professional psychologists.

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Thirteen professional physicists provide a spectrum of fascinating glimpses into the excitement and frustrations of life at the front lines of physics research.

Fascinating insights from marine biologist Edie Widder, ORCA, and business professor Andre Hoffman, University of Michigan, about the different paths they followed to become environmental scientists.

Five top physicists (including 2 Nobel Laureates) highlight a number of current mysteries at the forefront of contemporary theoretical physics.

Five of today's leading theoretical physicists (Nima Arkani-Hamed, Freeman Dyson, Roger Penrose, Paul Steinhardt, Scott Tremaine) share their own personal approaches to problem-solving.

Fourteen experts give us an inside glimpse of life inside the community of professional physicists.

Nine top physicists (Nima Arkani-Hamed, Claudia de Rham, Freeman Dyson, Scott Tremaine, Tony Leggett, Justin Khoury, David Politzer, Joanna Haigh, Paul Steinhardt) share valuable, candid advice to young and aspiring students who are motivated to become scientists.

Three researchers (Josiah Ober, Richard Janko, Susan Wolf) shed light on different aspects of the Classical Greek World, from the workings of Athenian democracy, to Aristotle's philosophical method, to the place of religion in Classical Athens after the Peloponnesian War.

An in-depth conversation with Ellen Bialystok, Professor of Psychology at York University, who is a world-leading expert on the effects of bilingualism on cognitive processes across our lifespan.

David Politzer, Nobel Laureate in physics, Joseph Curtin, award-winning violinmaker/acoustician, Diana Deutchs, psychologist, and neuroscientist Jennifer Groh give their different, yet reinforcing, perspectives on the science of sound and music.

A comprehensive film based on rigorous research providing a detailed, unprecedented look into the extraordinary life, achievements and legacy of Raphael (1483-1520), one of history's most prolific and influential artists.

Five top researchers (Nima Arkani-Hamed, Freeman Dyson, Roger Penrose, Paul Steinhardt, Scott Tremaine) take us behind the scenes to give us a picture of what life at the frontier of physics research is really like.

Five accomplished scholars (David Cannadine, Linda Colley, David Hollinger, Maria Mavroudi, and Jay Rubenstein) describe how certain personal experiences were crucial in triggering their interest in history and inspiring them to become historians.

Five of today's most accomplished theoretical physicists describe their formative interactions - both direct and indirect - with the legendary American physicist Richard Feynman.