31 October 2013
Literary Dundee @ Dundee Science Festival 2013
The science that underpins science fiction will be explored during a three-event extension to the Dundee Literary Festival
that begins on Saturday.
The festival drew to a close last weekend after almost 3000 book-lovers took part in dozens of events over five days, but
a further series of talks will take place as part of Dundee Science Festival. 'Literary Dundee @ Dundee Science Festival' is
a special series of talks by authors whose books look at a variety of topics relating to science.
Neuroscientist Dr Hana Ross and illustrator Dr Matteo Farinella, who created the ground-breaking graphic novel Neurocomic,
will deliver a unique illustrated lecture about 'the most complex thing in the world' to an audience who need have no expert
understanding of the workings of the human brain.
Stuart Clark, author of The Sky's Dark Labyrinth trilogy, will examine astronomy in fiction, with specific reference to
his own work, which dramatises the lives of Galileo, Newton and Einstein. He will discuss the balancing act of incorporating
science while showing how our changing view of the Universe revolved around these three scientists and the lives they led.
Former professional astronomer Pippa Goldschmidt and former NASA employee Jessica Fox will discuss how the outer journey
of exploration is often the inner journey of the creative imagination.
Both have written books informed by their careers - Pippa's novel, The Falling Sky, centres upon an astronomer who finds
evidence contradicting the big bang theory while Jessica's Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets takes us from her
time as resident storyteller at NASA to her journey to a second hand bookshop in the south west of Scotland. The Falling
Sky was a finalist in the Dundee International Book Prize 2012.
"This is the second year we have worked with Dundee Science Festival to host these events and I'm sure they will be
every bit as popular this time around," said Literary Dundee Director Anna Day. "The line-up shows the variety of roles
that science plays in literature, and allows us to celebrate books inspired by science and reach new readers in partnership
with the excellent Dundee Science Festival.'
The Literary Dundee @ Dundee Science Festival programme is:
- Dr Hana Ros and Dr Matteo Farinella 'Neurocomic Live' - 5pm on Saturday, 2nd November.
- Stuart Clark 'Astronomy in Fiction' - 6pm on Friday, 8th November.
- Pippa Goldschmidt and Jessica Fox 'Stories in Space' - 6pm on Saturday, 9th November.
All events take place in the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, and admission is free, but ticketed.
Tickets are available by calling Literary Dundee on 01382 384413 or visiting www.buyat.dundee.ac.uk.
More information about the events is available at www.literarydundee.co.uk.
Notes to editors
Dundee Science Festival, which runs from Saturday 2nd until Sunday 17th November 2013, is a celebration of science within
Dundee and surrounding areas, providing fun, entertainment, inspiration and curiosity for all ages. Last year, over
14,000 people took part, with visitors enjoying events throughout Dundee, Angus, Perthshire, Fife and beyond.
Dundee Science Festival is supported by the Scottish Government, University of Dundee, Dundee City Council and EventScotland.
Other supporters include Medical Research Council, Skills Development Scotland, Edina Trust and The Gannochy Trust.
For more information on Dundee Science Festival, and to book events, visit www.dundeesciencefestival.org.
Alternatively, you can contact the Dundee Science Festival team via email dundeesciencefestival@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or telephone 01382 228800.
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
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
