‘Putting the Science in Fiction’ Interfaculty Symposium on Science and Entertainment, University of Manchester
Wednesday 25th April 9:30am to 5pm

Interdisciplinary Workshop, organised by Geoff Ryman (EAS/Centre for New Writing) and David Kirby (CHSTM)

Many people look suspiciously at science in fictional media and may ask themselves: Why don’t the creators of fiction ever talk to real scientists? In fact, those who write novels, produce television shows, and create movies do speak with scientists on a regular basis. This workshop explores how science provides challenges and opportunities for the creators of fiction. By bringing together leading entertainment professionals, novelists, communication scholars, and scientists the workshop will forge new relationships between the scientific community and the arts/entertainment community. One goal of the workshop is to begin discussions about creating a ‘Science and Entertainment’ collaboration programme in the UK equivalent to the Science and Entertainment Exchange run by the National Academy of Sciences in the US.

Confirmed speakers include:
Stephen Baxter, Author of the Manifold trilogy and the Xeelee Sequence
Ken MacLeod, University of Edinburgh, Scholar and Author of the Fall Revolution series and the Engines of Light trilogy
Alastair Reynolds, Scientist and Author of the Revelation Space series,Pushing Ice and House of Suns
Geoff Ryman, University of Manchester, Scholar and Author of Air,The Children’s Garden, and The King’s Last Song
Ra Page, Founder & Editorial Manager of Comma Press
David A. Kirby, University of Manchester, Author of Lab Coats in Hollywood
Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, University of Oxford, Author of Science on Stage
Phil Manning, University of Manchester, Paleontologist, Science Consultant for Bizarre Dinosaurs and Fossil Detectives
Justina Robson, Author of Silver Screen, Natural History and theQuantum Gravity series
Simon Ings, Author of Editor of New Scientist’s Fiction Magazine Arc
Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester, Professor of Zoology
Tim O’Brien, Jodrell Bank, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics

Putting the Science in Fiction is sponsored by the University of Manchester’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts, Faculty of Life Sciences, and Centre for New Writing.

There is no cost for the workshop, but spaces are limited so you will need to book a place by contacting scienceinfiction.manchester@gmail.com

Website: http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/cidra/events/cidracollaborations/putting-the-science-in-fiction/