The Team
Dr Rob Bell
The term “mad scientist” may well be appropriate for the CSIRO’s Dr Robert Bell. He’ll tackle a hot vindaloo to explain chillies, eat a raw fish to better understand dolphins or spend a day on the slopes to better comprehend the physics of skiing (someone’s got to do it!). A madcap but dedicated scientist, Dr Rob gives his all to uncovering and explaining the ways and whys of our ever amazing world.
Growing up on a pineapple farm on the Sunshine Coast, Rob became passionate about the environment, and in particular the impact humans have on it and its resources.
Dr Rob, achieved his Bachelor of Science with Honours plus his PhD in the area of Materials Chemistry (awarded in 2000) at the University of Queensland, where he also held the prestigious title of “President – The Chocolate Appreciation Society” with over 700 sweet-toothed members.
Formerly Dr Rob was a science education officer for the CSIRO, enticing and educating our young minds in the many and varied fields of science, perfect training for SCOPE.
Julia Cleghorn
As soon as Julia learnt to talk, she was asking questions about the world around her.
Since then, she has done everything possible to find out the answers. Her love of science started at an early age and she has been questioning, and answering, and talking ever since.
Originally from Melbourne, Julia received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne before heading to the Nation's Capital to join the circus; well, the Science Circus that is. As part of this travelling group, she brought the fascinating and often explosive world of science to every corner of Australia.
Julia currently presents the weekly Scope experiments where she uses everyday stuff to make, demonstrate and explain all things science.
Ted Petrie – Newscaster
Ted Theodore Petrie has been a familiar face to Australian television audiences for over 30 years.
Legend has it that this icon of TV journalism was born with a microphone in his hand and that his first words were his now immortal catch cry, "It's great to be with me."
Ted began his career as the rural reporter for the Launceston Times but he had far greater ambitions and it wasn't long before he had become the news anchor of Newcastle Tonight on UHF channel 31. Nominated 16 years a row for the Logie for best regional news anchor*, Ted has read the autocue on some of the biggest stories of our time including The Berlin Wall coming down and Bec and Lleyton's wedding. Ted now continues his very unique, award nominated newscasting style on Channel Ten's Scope.
* Ted's 16 nominations without a win is a record that experts believe will never be beaten
The Scientists
The real stars of Scope are the scientists and experts themselves who present stories about their research and discoveries in a simple, informative and fun way.
