Dive into the minds of the great thinkers, with new BBC/OU radio series

Posted on 13 January 2026 • TV and radio

Discover the surprising moments that sparked amazing ideas with the new series of BBC Radio 4’s Human Intelligence.

The returning series of this OU-BBC co-production is broadcast on consecutive weekdays  at 13.45pm on BBC Radio 4 and on BBC Sounds and reveals the trailblazers of history and the lightbulb moments that set them on the road to discovery.

Join Naomi Alderman as she explores brilliant minds and ideas. From political theorists to scientists to inventors, authors and artists. Our world is based on their ideas and innovations. But how did they do their work, what did they struggle with, where did they find their dedication, creativity, and inspiration?

The first week focuses on Exiles – thinkers who dared to differ, including Marie Curie, Karl Marx, and Ovid.

Academic consultants from a wide range of disciplines

Karl Marx’s ideas caused revolutions, toppled governments, and re-made the political map of the world. He was exiled again and again – fleeing Prussia for France, then to Brussels, eventually living in London where he completed his masterwork Capital. How did exile influence his thinking?

Later episodes will see Naomi uncovering the background behind famous Perfectionists, such as artist Leonardo da Vinci, followed by a look at Recluses, including writer Emily Bronte and poet Li Qingzhao.

The series is produced by BBC Studios in partnership with The Open University.

There are 15 episodes (15 minutes each) in total.

Academics from wide-ranging disciplines at The Open University are involved in the series which covers the famous thinkers, scientists and adventurers:

EXILES

• Karl Marx – Professor Jon Pike
• Ishi – Dr Maria Nita
• Marie Curie – Dr Ilias Kounatidis
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz  – Dr Mara.Fuertes-Gutierrez
• Ovid – Dr Astrid Voigt
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz  – Dr Mara.Fuertes-Gutierrez

 

PERFECTIONISTS

• Brunel  – Emeritus Professor June Barrow Green
• Simone Weil – Professor Sophie Grace Chappell
• al-Khwarizmi – Dr Brigitte Stenhouse
• Leonardo Da Vinci – Dr Amy Barnes
• Martha Graham – Professor Inma Alvarez

 

RECLUSES

• Emily Bronte – Dr Shaf Towheed
• Ibn Khaldun – Dr Zhraa  Alhaboby
• Montaigne – Professor Sophie Grace Chappell
• Li Qingzhao – Dr Qian Kan
• Nikolai Tesla – Dr Robert (Bob) Everett

This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with support from STEM and WELS with particular relevance to:

R14 | BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities | Open University;

BSc (Hons) Combined STEM degree | Open University | R28

And BA (Hons) Language Studies | Open University | Q30

Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast and Partnerships

• Academic Consultants – see above
• Media Fellows –   Dr Emily Bullock, Dr Zhraa Alhaboby, Dr Andrew Potter and Dr Alex Twitchen
• Senior Broadcast Project Manager – Caroline Green
• Broadcast Project Manager – Poppy Ross
• Digital Content Producer – Patrick Kearney

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect to discover a flipbook looking at the surprising and sometimes strange ways that some famous people come up with their most innovative ideas.