Eduard Punset: A Charismatic Scientific Advisor

Eduard Punset is controversial, charismatic and innovative. He is a writer, economist, politician, and one who has made science popular. Thanks to his show Redes,  which aired for almost two decades,  millions of Spaniards became interested in science.

He made it possible for science to reach Spanish homes. A large part of the population sees science as something strange, incomprehensible and boring. However, thanks to him, it slowly but surely became both entertaining and enjoyable for many of them.

The punch benefits from the audience’s curiosity.  He simplifies what seems difficult, and makes it attractive. Although it may seem like everyone likes this, he actually gets criticized because of it. In addition, many people tend to believe that Eduard Punset is a researcher, even if he is not.

Eduard Punset has done things that many do not. He has very strong political convictions. He always chooses new technologies and the most controversial theories of science. Not only that, but he has always made sure that people are well informed about them. He is without a doubt an incredible teacher.

His life

Eduard Punset was born in Barcelona in 1936. He was the son of a rural doctor in Tarragona. From a young age, he showed great interest in studying and learning about different things. He was very interested in learning about the world in general, and making discoveries.

Eduard Punset traveled to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he attended North Hollywood High School . Here he learned English. When he returned to Spain, he took a degree in law at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid . After that, he became involved with the Communist Party, still under the dictatorial regime.

During this era he met Jorge Semprún, with whom he deeply agreed. As a result of the problems that the dictatorship unleashed, Punset decided to go into exile and continue his studies abroad. His bilingualism allowed him to continue his studies in economics in London, England. He also traveled to France, where he graduated from the École pratique des hautes études.

Eduard Punset and politics

Not long after completing his studies, Eduard Punset began working as a writer in economics for the BBC. He was CFO of the Latin American edition of The Economist . In addition  , he worked as an economist  at the International Monetary Fund in the United States and Haiti. After Franco’s death, Eduard Punset returned to Spain and committed 100% to politics.

He was appointed Minister of Finance by the Government of Catalonia. In the 1980s, he carried out the great work of opening Spain to the world while he was Minister of Relations with the European Union, but left after a few months.

While in the European Parliament, he took part in the process of economic transformation of Eastern European countries after the fall of the Berlin Wall. After several other attempts at politics, he decided to retire in 1995.

His work as a consultant in science

During the next phase of his life, Punset dedicated himself to working on important topics and new technologies. He was an Advisory Professor of International Marketing at ESADE. In addition, he was president of the Instituto Tecnológico Bull , and professor of innovation and technology at IE Business School . He also worked as a consultant in important sectors and companies, and wrote several books on economics and social analysis.

The creation of Redes,  the scientific television program, in 1996, was an important milestone in the career of this already brilliant professional man. The program was on the air for 18 years. During that time, Eduard Punset interviewed great personalities from the scientific world, in 600 episodes in total.

The program covered various topics. It aired episodes that many even saw as masterpieces because of the information they offered around neuroscience, positive psychology, new educational technologies, the psychology of emotions, and many more fascinating topics. This was a very positive stage in Punset’s life – in fact  , he wrote most of his books during this time.

He is one of the most respected and criticized characters in Spain. There is no doubt that during his television career, he aroused the scientific curiosity of many people. He is a brave man who focuses on everything that is new. He has been able to translate the most complex scientific concepts into easy-to-understand language for the audience.