3 March 2009

'The mad science of media scare stories' - Saturday Evening Lecture 07/03/09

From bird flu to melting icecaps, the media assails us with stories of our imminent destruction. Why do they do it, why do so many people lap it up, what harm - or good - does this do to society, and how can we learn to deal more rationally with the world of risk?

The answers to these questions will be addressed by the respected journalist and author Hugh Aldersey-Williams when he delivers the next in the University of Dundee’s Saturday Evening Lectures this weekend.

Mr Aldersey-Williams’ most recent book, `Panicology’, examines the substance behind more than 40 media scares in recent years. It asks whether the reality of these stories justifies the panic they caused amongst the public or whether a potent mix of journalistic hype and scientific data has been used to manufacture fear.

Panicology’s findings will form the basis of the talk, which promises to be another fascinating instalment in a lecture series now in its 85th year and proving more popular than ever.

'The mad science of media scare stories' takes place in the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, at 6 pm on Saturday. Admission is free and all are welcome. Free tickets are available from the Tower Building reception at the University, the Borders book store at Gallagher Retail Park in Dundee, and though the University’s online store - http://www.buyat.dundee.ac.uk.

Anyone seeking further information should contact the Events office at the University - tel 01382 388046.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk