Interviews on wonder, curiosity and creativity
Scott studied history at the University of Cambridge and is the host of an iTunes Top-100 daily history podcast. He is an award-winning history teacher who was nominated for the UK's national Teaching Awards and short-listed for the BBC/Historical Association History Teacher of the Year award. Author of "366 days". He currently lives in Romania with his wife and two children.
A PhD at the Cavendish Laboratory on the molecular theory of polymer flow was jointly supported by the textile company Courtaulds, with whom he had worked as an undergraduate. This experience set a course of finding deep science problems arising out of industrial collaboration that has lasted ever since. In 2018 he took up a new chair in natural philosophy at the University of York.
Neil is a science presenter on both stage and screen. He uses demonstrations in his live performances to create, or sometimes re-create moments of mystery. He performs at a variety of events, including festivals, theatres and corporate functions.
Tim Hunkin trained as an engineer, but then became a cartoonist (drawing a strip for the Observer called ‘The Rudiments of Wisdom’ for 15 years). His next career was in television (writing and presenting three series called ‘The Secret Life of Machines’ for Channel 4). He then worked for museums, curating and designing exhibitions and building interactive exhibits. Since 2001, he has mainly been making arcade machines for his ‘Under the Pier Show’ amusement arcade on Southwold pier and ‘Novelty Automation’ in London.
Dr. Marty Jopson is an accomplished scientist. Although he has a PhD in plant cell biology and a Natural Sciences (Botany) degree from Cambridge university, he is comfortable explaining the whole gamut of scientific subjects. He has been involved in making science television programmes for over twenty years. In that time he has worked extensively behind the camera but also in front as the long standing (8 years +) science presenter on the BBC1 flagship programme, The One Show. When not on television, Marty performs his distinct brand of much acclaimed, hair-raising and flammable science on stage at science festivals around the country. He is the author of two popular books on “The Science of Everyday Life” and “The Science of Food”.
James is a communications and engagement officer at a bioscience research institute and a freelance science communicator and trainer. He’s been writing and presenting science shows since 1995.
Professor in the Department of Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Japan. Designer of exquisite optical illusions.
A versatile, globe-trotting magician, performing for private clients around Europe, at public events, and on cruise liners. For 3 years Steve was The Magic Circle’s Honorary Secretary, looking after the interests of 1,500 members worldwide.
Words on Wonder 