BBC Ideas

Short films for curious minds

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence

How to get started with AI chatbots

Curious about AI but not sure where to start? Check out our handy guide...

More on this

How AI can improve your life - at home and work. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Can you spot an AI scam? Video
Attribution
The Open University
Should your kids be using AI in their homework? Video
Attribution
The Open University

A (very) short guide to the Universe

Made with The Open University

Made with The Open University

'Hoarding was a way to protect myself from the world'

Hoarding is often misunderstood - and it can be a symptom of deep trauma. One woman shares how hoarding impacted her life - and her road to recovery.

Latest videos

How to make meetings less rubbish. Video, 00:04:06
Attribution
The Open University
Deaf behind bars: 'I felt completely isolated' Video, 00:05:34
Attribution
The Open University
Debunking dementia: 'See the person, not the diagnosis' Video
Attribution
The Open University
How to win at online dating. Video, 00:05:36
Attribution
The Open University
How to make sure you don’t get drawn into a cult. Video
Attribution
The Open University

New on BBC Ideas

New on BBC Ideas

The 'freak accident' that changed neuroscience

A terrible accident left construction worker Phineas Gage with serious brain damage. Amazingly, he recovered - forever changing our understanding of the human brain.

Made with the Royal Society

Made with the Royal Society

What happens if the world runs out of sand?

From concrete to mobile phones, modern life has long relied on sand as a key resource. But despite huge deserts and many thousands of beaches around the world, usable sand is running out.

Latest videos

Is there really a mathematical formula for a beautiful face? Video
Attribution
Royal Society
Can we stop animals from going extinct? Video, 00:05:13
Attribution
Royal Society
Secrets of the ancient astronomers. Video, 00:04:40
Attribution
Royal Society
Where will space exploration take us in the next 50 years? Video, 00:04:47
Attribution
Royal Society
Could you cope with just a handful of sugar and one egg a week? Video, 00:04:48
Attribution
Royal Society

Made with UK Research and Innovation

What happens when your mum goes to prison? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Can (and should) we cure blindness? Video
Attribution
UKRI
What do ancient mummies smell like? Video
Attribution
UKRI

What's the weather like on other planets?

Health and wellbeing

What's the point of the menopause? Video
Attribution
Milner Centre for Evolution
How to avoid emotional burnout. Video, 00:04:13
Attribution
BBC
Three things that won’t give you cancer. Video, 00:04:07
Attribution
Science Museum
How I overcame self-harm. Video, 00:07:41
Attribution
BBC
Three ways to reduce your risk of cancer. Video, 00:04:38
Attribution
Science Museum

Inside Our Minds

Inside Our Minds

'My thoughts are like fish in a pond'

For Suiki, dyslexia is not just about difficulty reading and spelling, it affects many aspects of her life.

More on this

'I just thought I was rubbish at a lot of things' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I'm not 'just' a builder' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'Frustration is a huge part of my life with ADHD' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
I’m autistic – here’s why I decided to stop masking. Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I have no voice, but so much to say' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer

From our archive

From our archive

Dame Stephanie Shirley: In her own words

Tech pioneer Dame Stephanie Shirley has died at the age of 91. In this interview, recorded in 2019, she reflects on her incredible life.

Our latest shorts

Expand your mind with the University of Oxford

Can visualisation help you achieve a better future? Video, 00:04:32
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
17 October 2024
How to make sure gaming is good for your mental health. Video, 00:04:40
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
29 August 2024
Is it OK to track your kids? Video, 00:05:36
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
17 July 2024
The surprising benefits of exercising with friends. Video, 00:04:47
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
30 July 2024
Five things you probably didn’t know about periods. Video, 00:04:46
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
27 July 2023

Love and relationships

Supporting your wellbeing

Mind management

Mind management

What is flow and how can it help you achieve more?

How tennis players achieve 'flow' - and a few tips on how it can help you too

Latest videos

Three invaluable tools to boost your resilience. Video, 00:05:10
Attribution
The Open University
Why impostor syndrome can be a strength. Video, 00:04:03
Attribution
BBC
Five ways to distraction-proof your mind. Video, 00:04:16
Attribution
BBC
How I forgave myself for the death of my friend. Video, 00:06:32
Attribution
The Open University
What's the point of humiliation? Video, 00:04:22
Attribution
The Open University

Nature and us

Sustainable thinking

How to talk with children about climate change. Video, 00:03:36
Attribution
The Open University
Posted
13 April 2023
The secrets of the deep ocean. Video, 00:04:26
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
25 May 2022
Should we put a price on nature? Video, 00:06:22
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
1 December 2022
Will flying ever be sustainable? Video, 00:06:09
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
29 March 2023
What if everyone in the world planted a tree? Video, 00:02:48
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 February 2020

Find out more about our partners