What scientists actually
watch on YouTube 

We asked colleagues which YouTube channels about science and scientists they watch, what these channels are useful for, and what they would recommend to others in the community.

Compilation and editing by Olya Vvedenskaya and Vladimir Shitov

- Which YouTube channels do scientists watch - for science and for fun? 

- Which channels are actually useful for staying up to date or learning something new?

- And which ones are worth recommending to others in the research community? 

YouTube channels for scientists, in English:

Two Minute Papers - Started with quick two-minute explainers on new scientific papers - hence the name - but now includes updates on tech trends too. Short, sweet, and insightful. 

Sabine Hossenfelder - A physicist with a PhD. She breaks down science and tech news in a clear, no-nonsense way. Simple, but not simpler than necessary.

Oxford Mathematics - Full-length lectures straight from Oxford’s math department. If you're into deep dives, you're in for a treat. Bring coffee.

Dr Andy Stapleton - Reviews AI tools for scientists and shares life advice from the trenches of academia.

Hu-po - Streams and videos on coding, machine learning, and more. Bonus: lots of cats in the thumbnails. What else do you need?

OpenBioML - Explores the intersection of machine learning and biology. Rare uploads, but high-quality and worth waiting for.

Applied Algebraic Topology Research Network - For fans of very niche content - workshops and talks on computational topology. They also have a community!

Stanford MedAI - Covers machine learning, programming, and AI with clarity.

Yannic Kilcher - Yannic makes videos and writes articles about machine learning, programming, and AI. Sometimes wears cool aviator glasses.

Valence labs - Webinars with top-tier guests discussing everything from algorithms to academia. They also have a community.

AI Coffee Break - Bite-sized, beautifully made videos on AI, machine learning, and the realities of scientific life. Well-crafted visuals, low-stress learning.

YouTube channels in English about science (not just for scientists):

Robert Miles AI Safety -Talking about the risks and ethics of artificial intelligence long before it was trendy. Recommended by colleagues from AI Safety Quest.

WelchLabs - Quirky and brainy videos that blend math, science, and imagination. Known for a legendary series on complex numbers.

3blue1brown - Stunning visuals + deep math = pure magic. Even complex topics feel understandable - and kind of poetic. 

Grant Sanderson - The personal channel of the creator of 3blue1brown. Interviews, podcasts, lectures.

Andrej Karpathy - Deep dives into AI and neural networks from one of the field's brightest minds - and best communicators.

CrashCourse - Well-produced video courses on everything from biology to history. Fast-paced, info-packed, and way more fun than your high school textbooks.

Kurzgesagt - Gorgeous animations meet big science questions. German precision with a global audience. 

PBS Space Time - The final frontier - explained with style. Complex physics and cosmology in digestible, brain-expanding chunks. 

Veritasium - Science, tech, curiosity, and the occasional plot twist. Always evolving, always thought-provoking. 

minutephysics - Fast, clever explanations of physics. Like snacks for your brain. 

minuteearth - Same format as minutephysics, but focused on life, biology, and Earth itself. Educational and wholesome. 

Journey to the Microcosmos -  A love letter to microscopic life. Though no longer updated, the back catalog is mesmerizing. One of the creators has a new channel too!

Acapella science - Yes, it’s science. Yes, it’s a cappella. Yes, it’s delightful. You’re welcome.

YouTube channels in German (great for the whole family):

Die Maus - Classic German kids' show that explains how the world works. Narrated by a grandpa with a charming voice. Great for language learners and lifelong learners alike.

MaiThinkX -  Science communication from a chemist-turned-YouTuber. Covers everything from hard science to hot topics. 

Dinge Erklärt - The German-language version of Kurzgesagt. Same high-quality animations, same existential joy. 

Terra X - Historical and archaeological deep dives. Always engaging, often epic. 

Arte documentaries - Beautifully shot, thoughtful documentaries. Covers a wide range of subjects. 

Quarks - Explores science and society, often with a focus on health and human behavior. Think science with a social conscience.

Galileo - Not strictly science, but informative and fun nonetheless. A mix of lifestyle, tech, and trivia.

Scicomm YouTube channels in Russian (as recommended by our community):

Панчин - A scientist on a mission to bust myths and fight fraud. High production quality and sharp insights. Sometimes travels around and gives lectures in person. 

Зыгмантович - Short, punchy videos on psychology - with strong opinions and evidence-based insights. 

Ольга Косникова и Страшная химия - A food chemist demystifies myths about food and consumer products. Watch before your next grocery run.

Все как у зверей - A modern, Russian-language take on The Life of Mammals. Features thoughtful comparisons between animal and human behavior. English subtitles available for some videos - show your English-speaking friends the video about altruism and patriotism among animals.

Elevated - A journey through culture and, occasionally, its absence. A refreshing break from STEM-heavy content - perfect for dringing tea and getting cultured.

Почему мы еще живы? - “Why are we still alive?” asks this brilliantly titled channel. Expect science-based conversations on disease, health, and human survival. 

Канал проекта Lab.Mouse - A bioinformatician chats with fellow scientists about everything from biology to... whatever comes up. Informal, smart, and honest.

Ученые жены - A Russian-language podcast about women in science. Inspiring and important voices from across disciplines. Finally!

Did we forget to mention someone? Let us know!

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