Gareth Collett on a career in bomb disposal
Retired British Army brigadier general and engineer Dr Gareth Collett discusses his career in bomb disposal and the move from the army to academia.
Movies might have us believe that bomb disposal comes down to cutting the right wire. In fact, explosive devices are complex and varied - and learning how to dispose of them safely involves intense training, as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure.
This was the world of Dr Gareth Collett, a retired British Army Brigadier General and engineer, specialising in bomb disposal; whose 32-year military career took him around the world, including heading up major ordnance clearance projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the army, Gareth became a university lecturer 鈥� but following his diagnosis with bladder cancer, started researching a possible link between bomb disposal veterans and higher rates of urological cancers.
In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Gareth discusses this ongoing research, dealing with PTSD - and why he just can't watch Oscar-winning movie The Hurt Locker...
Presented by Jim Al-Khalili
Produced by Lucy Taylor for 蜜芽传媒 Studios
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- Tue 23 Sep 2025 09:00蜜芽传媒 Radio 4
- Wed 24 Sep 2025 21:00蜜芽传媒 Radio 4
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The Life Scientific
Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.
