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Brady John Haran (born 18 June 1976) is an
Australian-British independent film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
maker and
video journalist
Video journalism or videojournalism is a form of journalism, where the journalist shoots, edits and often presents his or her own video material.
Background
A predecessor to video journalism first appeared in the 1960s in the USA, when reporters h ...
who produces
educational videos and documentary films for his
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
channels, the most notable being ''
Periodic Videos
''Periodic Videos'' (also known as ''The Periodic Table of Videos'') is a video project and YouTube channel on chemistry. It consists of a series of videos about chemical elements and the periodic table, with additional videos on other topics i ...
'' and ''
Numberphile
''Numberphile'' is an educational YouTube channel featuring videos that explore topics from a variety of fields of mathematics. In the early days of the channel, each video focused on a specific number, but the channel has since expanded its s ...
''.
Haran is also the co-host of the''
Hello Internet
''Hello Internet'' is an audio podcast hosted by educational YouTube content creators Brady Haran and CGP Grey. The podcast debuted in 2014 and released 136 numbered episodes and 18 unnumbered episodes until February 2020, when the last episod ...
''
podcast
A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio or video files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing ...
along with fellow educational
YouTuber
A YouTuber is an online personality and/or influencer who produces videos on the video-sharing platform YouTube, typically posting to their personal YouTube channel. The term was first used in the English language in 2006.
Influence
Influent ...
CGP Grey
CGP Grey is an American-Irish educational YouTuber, podcaster, and live streamer who creates short explanatory videos on subjects including politics, geography, economics, sociology, history, and culture. In addition to video production, Gre ...
. On 22 August 2017, Haran launched his second podcast, called ''The Unmade Podcast'', and on 11 November 2018, he launched his third podcast, ''
The Numberphile Podcast'', based on his mathematics-centered channel of the same name.
Reporter and filmmaker
Brady Haran studied journalism for a year before being hired by ''
The Adelaide Advertiser
''The Advertiser'' is a daily tabloid format newspaper based in the city of Adelaide, South Australia. First published as a broadsheet named ''The South Australian Advertiser'' on 12 July 1858,[Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...]
, United Kingdom. In Nottingham, he worked for the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
, began to work with film, and reported for ''
East Midlands Today
''East Midlands Today'' is the BBC's regional television news programme for the East Midlands.
The programme is broadcast on BBC One from studios at the BBC's East Midlands broadcasting centre in Nottingham, also home to Radio Nottingham. The ...
'',
BBC News Online
BBC News Online is the website of BBC News, the division of the BBC responsible for newsgathering and production. It is one of the most popular news websites, with 1.2 billion website visits in April 2021, as well as being used by 60% of the U ...
and BBC radio stations.
In 2007, Haran worked as a filmmaker-in-residence for Nottingham Science City,
as part of an agreement between the BBC and the
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public university, public research university in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It was founded as University College Nottingham in 1881, and was granted a royal charter in 1948. The University of Nottingham belongs t ...
.
His "Test Tube" project started with the idea of producing a documentary about scientists and their research, but he decided to upload his raw footage to YouTube; from that point "Periodic Videos" and "Sixty Symbols" were developed.
Haran then left the BBC to work full-time making YouTube videos.
YouTube channels
Following ''Test Tube'', Haran decided to create new YouTube channels.
In his first five years as an independent filmmaker he made over 1500 videos
and in 2012, he was the producer, editor, and interviewer behind 12 YouTube channels. Haran frequently collaborates with well-known academics and professionals. Haran's videos are often in the format of a casual interview in which Haran and an expert discuss subjects relevant to their work.
''The Periodic Table of Videos''
Started in June 2008, ''Periodic Videos'' is a series of videos about
chemical elements
A chemical element is a species of atoms that have a given number of protons in their nuclei, including the pure substance consisting only of that species. Unlike chemical compounds, chemical elements cannot be broken down into simpler sub ...
and the
periodic table
The periodic table, also known as the periodic table of the (chemical) elements, is a rows and columns arrangement of the chemical elements. It is widely used in chemistry, physics, and other sciences, and is generally seen as an icon of ch ...
. Working with Professor
Martyn Poliakoff
Sir Martyn Poliakoff (born 16 December 1947) is a British chemist, working on gaining insights into fundamental chemistry, and on developing environmentally acceptable processes and materials. The core themes of his work are supercritical fluid ...
, Haran's videos explaining chemistry and science for non-technical persons have received positive recognition.
Together, they have made over 500 short videos that cover the elements and other chemistry-related topics. Their YouTube channel has had more than 159 million views. Also, Haran and Poliakoff authored an article in the ''
Nature Chemistry
''Nature Chemistry'' is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio. It was established in April 2009. The editor-in-chief is Stuart Cantrill. The journal covers all aspects of chemistry. Publishing formats include p ...
'' journal and an essay on
''Science'' journal discussing the impact of ''The Periodic Table of Videos''.
Martyn Poliakoff
Sir Martyn Poliakoff (born 16 December 1947) is a British chemist, working on gaining insights into fundamental chemistry, and on developing environmentally acceptable processes and materials. The core themes of his work are supercritical fluid ...
received the
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a learned society (professional association) in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemistry, chemical sciences". It was formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the Chemical Society, the Ro ...
Nyholm Prize for Education in 2011 for work taking chemistry education to a wider audience; this included his work with Haran on ''The Periodic Table of Videos''.
''Sixty Symbols''
''Sixty Symbols'' is Haran's YouTube channel for
physics
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which r ...
and
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...
. The first video was released in April 2009, with the original run of videos focusing on
commonly used physics notations.
Since then, videos on topics such as the
greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when energy from a planet's host star goes through the planet's atmosphere and heats the planet's surface, but greenhouse gases in the atmosphere prevent some of the heat from returning directly ...
, the
age of the universe
In physical cosmology, the age of the universe is the time elapsed since the Big Bang. Astronomers have derived two different measurements of the age of the universe:
a measurement based on direct observations of an early state of the universe, ...
, and several on
black holes
A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light or other electromagnetic waves, has enough energy to escape it. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can def ...
have been released.
''Numberphile''
Started in October 2011,
''Numberphile'' features videos that explore educational topics from a variety of
fields of mathematics. It is currently Haran's most subscribed channel. In the early days of the channel, each video focused on a specific number, but the channel has since expanded its scope, featuring videos on more advanced mathematical concepts such as
Fermat's Last Theorem
In number theory, Fermat's Last Theorem (sometimes called Fermat's conjecture, especially in older texts) states that no three positive integers , , and satisfy the equation for any integer value of greater than 2. The cases and have been k ...
and the
Riemann hypothesis
In mathematics, the Riemann hypothesis is the conjecture that the Riemann zeta function has its zeros only at the negative even integers and complex numbers with real part . Many consider it to be the most important unsolved problem in ...
. Haran maintains the ''Numberphile2'' channel as well, which features extra footage from the main channel, as well as ''The Numberphile Podcast''.
''Objectivity''
Haran launched the YouTube channel ''Objectivity'' in late 2014. The videos feature the discussion and handling of historic objects and manuscripts, often from the archives of the
Royal Society
The Royal Society, formally The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, is a learned society and the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences. The society fulfils a number of roles: promoting science and its benefits, re ...
, though other historic museums and organizations have also been featured. Haran is the on-camera presenter for the channel, in contrast to his other channels where he is a behind-the-camera presence. Keith Moore, the Head Librarian of the Royal Society, is prominently featured.
''Deep Sky Videos''
''Deep Sky Videos'', started in October 2011, is Haran's astronomy-focused channel.
It is similarly formatted and has some of the same contributors as ''Numberphile'' and ''Sixty Symbols''. In September 2022, the channel finished a series of videos on each of the 110
Messier object
The Messier objects are a set of 110 astronomical objects catalogued by the French astronomer Charles Messier in his ''Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d'Étoiles'' (''Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters'').
Because Messier was only int ...
s, which had been a goal of the channel since January 2012.
Other YouTube channels
''Computerphile'' is the sister channel to ''Numberphile'', featuring videos about
computer science
Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to Applied science, practical discipli ...
. Haran is minimally involved in the channel's video creation, with most being directed and produced by Sean Riley.
Haran continues to maintain the ''Test Tube'' channel, now titled ''nottinghamscience'', as a place to post extra footage and outtakes from ''Periodic Videos'' and ''Sixty Symbols''. He also runs channels for his podcasts ''Hello Internet'' and ''The Unmade Podcast''. Haran has several channels that have been inactive for several years, which are ''Words of the World'', ''Backstage Science'', ''Psyfile'', ''PhilosophyFile'', ''Bibledex'', ''FavScientist'', and ''foodskey''. ''Brady Stuff'' is Haran's channel for personal videos and is a self-described "dumping ground for clips that don't quite fit anywhere".
Podcasts
''Hello Internet''
In January 2014, Haran launched the podcast ''Hello Internet'' along with co-host
CGP Grey
CGP Grey is an American-Irish educational YouTuber, podcaster, and live streamer who creates short explanatory videos on subjects including politics, geography, economics, sociology, history, and culture. In addition to video production, Gre ...
, another YouTube educational content creator. The podcast peaked as the #1
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
podcast in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
It was selected as one of
Apple
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple fruit tree, trees are agriculture, cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, wh ...
's best new podcasts of 2014. ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'' included the podcast among its 50 best of 2016, naming episode 66 ("A Classic Episode") its episode of the year. The paper described the podcast as having "in-depth debates and banter that is actually amusing".
The podcast features discussions pertaining to their lives as professional content creators for YouTube, as well as their interests and annoyances. Typical topics include technology etiquette; movie and TV show reviews; plane accidents;
vexillology
Vexillology ( ) is the study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general.Smith, Whitney. ''Flags Through the Ages and Across the World'' New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975. Print. The word is a synthe ...
;
futurology
Futures studies, futures research, futurism or futurology is the systematic, interdisciplinary and holistic study of social and technological advancement, and other environmental trends, often for the purpose of exploring how people will li ...
; and the differences between Grey's and Haran's personalities and lifestyles. Grey's and Haran's opinions and comments on feedback usually starts the next episode of the podcast. As a result of their conversations, Haran has been noted for reappropriating the term "," among other words, to refer to the unauthorised rehosting of online media.
The podcast has an "official" flag called the Nail & Gear which was chosen from five candidates with a
postal vote
Postal voting is voting in an election where ballot papers are distributed to electors (and typically returned) by post, in contrast to electors voting in person at a polling station or electronically via an electronic voting system.
In an ele ...
by the podcast's audience using an
alternative vote
Instant-runoff voting (IRV) is a type of Ranked voting, ranked preferential Electoral system, voting method. It uses a Majority rule, majority voting rule in single-winner elections where there are more than two candidates. It is commonly referr ...
system.
The podcast is currently on indefinite hiatus.
''The Unmade Podcast''
In August 2017, Haran launched ''The Unmade Podcast'' along with co-host Tim Hein, a close friend of Haran.
The podcast features a discussion between the two about "ideas for podcasts that they will never make".
Most episodes last for approximately 40–75 minutes and each host is given the opportunity to pitch two podcast ideas in total. Hein and Haran then proceed to discuss these ideas in a light-hearted and often comedic manner. Along with the regular episodes, the podcast also has occasional 'special episodes'. These are usually, but not always, an opportunity for the hosts to attempt to actually create a podcast from an idea previously put forward on the show. A notable exception to this was the Antarctica special episode which departed from the usual format for Haran to discuss his recent visit to Antarctica with Hein. As of December 2020, there have been twenty special episodes including the Antarctica special.
''The Numberphile Podcast''
In November 2018, Haran launched ''The Numberphile Podcast'', in which he speaks with various mathematicians in a longer-form version than the YouTube channel. Unlike with his others, Haran is the sole host of this podcast.
Personal life
Brady Haran lives in
Bristol
Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
, UK. His wife is
Kylie Pentelow
Kylie Ann Pentelow (born 29 June 1979) is an English journalist and television news presenter. She is a presenter of ''ITV News West Country'' and the ''ITV Weekend News''.
Education and career
Pentelow was educated at the Sir Christopher Hatt ...
, with whom he has a son.
Awards
* 2004 – BBC Ruby Television Awards Silver
* 2005 – BBC Ruby Television Awards Gold for 'Best Audience Generated Content'
* 2007 – BBC Ruby Television Awards Silver for work on the
real life
Real life is a phrase used originally in literature to distinguish between the real world and fictional, virtual or idealized worlds, and in acting to distinguish between actors and the characters they portray. It has become a popular term on th ...
soap opera ''Alexandra Road''
* 2008 –
The Stevie Award (International Business Award) for 'Best Public Information/Interactive and Multimedia' for The University of Nottingham website test-tube.uk
* 2008 –
IChemE Petronas Award for 'Excellence in Education and Training' for ''The Periodic Table of Videos''
* 2008 – European Excellence Award for 'Podcast' for ''An Element for Christmas''
* 2011 –
''Science Magazine'''s Prize for 'Online Resources in Education' for ''The Periodic Table of Videos''
* 2011 – Creativity International Platinum Award for 'New Media' for ''The Periodic Table of Videos''
* 2012 –
Webby Award
The Webby Awards are awards for excellence on the Internet presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a judging body composed of over two thousand industry experts and technology innovators. Categories include ...
for 'Reality Online Film & Video' for ''The Periodic Table of Videos''
* 2016 –
Kelvin Medal for ''Sixty Symbols'' (with Michael Merrifield and Philip Moriarty)
* 2016 –
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt., Litt.D., Latin: ' or ') is a terminal degree in the humanities that, depending on the country, is a higher doctorate after the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or equivalent to a higher doctorate, such as the Doctor ...
(
Honorary degree
An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hono ...
) – University of Nottingham
* 2017 – ''
Radio Times
''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
'' Radio and Podcast Champion
* 2021 –
Medal of the Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...
for service to the broadcast and on-line media.
Publications
* (with Martyn Poliakoff)
*
* (with Martyn Poliakoff)
*
*
*
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Haran, Brady John
Australian film directors
Australian documentary filmmakers
Australian journalists
Australian emigrants to England
Australian expatriates in the United Kingdom
Australian podcasters
Australian YouTubers
British podcasters
British journalists
People from Adelaide
1976 births
Living people
Recipients_of_the_Medal_of_the_Order_of_Australia
Online edutainment
BBC people
Mathematics popularizers
Science communicators
Male YouTubers
Educational and science YouTubers