The Astronomer Royal and other leading scientists are confirmed to appear at Loncon 3, the 2014 Worldcon.

Loncon 3’s extensive science program will feature topics about subatomic particles, the theory and practice of geoengineering, ancient Greek technology, and the engineering practicalities behind low cost space flight.

These well-known figures will participate on panels at the convention:

• Baron Rees of Ludlow, a cosmologist and astrophysicist based at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge. He has been Astronomer Royal since 1995 and was President of the Royal Society between 2005 and 2010. Lord Rees will deliver the George Hay memorial lecture sponsored by the Science Fiction Foundation, a charity which promotes science fiction and its relationship with science.
• Dr. Tori Herridge, a paleobiologist at the Natural History Museum who delivered the 2012 Charles Lyell Award lecture at the British Science Festival and co-wrote Who Do You Think You Really Are.
• Dr. Jenny Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London, who is the editor of the webzine LabLit.com and founder of the Science is Vital organization.
• Prof. Ian Stewart, professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick and an author of popular science and science fiction books. He has been awarded the Christopher Zeeman Medal and the Michael Faraday Medal.
• Prof. David Southwood, president of the Royal Astronomical Society, Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College London, and former Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency.

The full press release follows the jump.

MEDIA RELEASE #20

Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention

14-18 August 2014 at ExCeL London

http://www.loncon3.org

[email protected]

Science stars to shine at London World Science Fiction Convention

London, 8 May 2014 – Some of the biggest names in science, including the Astronomer Royal, have been confirmed to appear at Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), which opens at ExCeL London on 14 August 2014.

The extensive Loncon 3 science programme aims to take Worldcon attendees from the farthest and earliest reaches of the universe to the depths of the human cell, from subatomic particles to the theory and practice of geoengineering, from ancient Greek technology to the engineering practicalities behind low cost space flight.

Well-known names booked to deliver specialist talks and appear on panels at the convention include:

• Baron Rees of Ludlow, a cosmologist and astrophysicist      based at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge. He has been Astronomer      Royal since 1995 and was President of the Royal Society between 2005 and      2010. Lord Rees will deliver the George Hay memorial lecture sponsored by the      Science Fiction Foundation, a charity which promotes science fiction and      its relationship with science.
• Dr. Tori Herridge, a paleobiologist at the Natural      History Museum who delivered the 2012 Charles Lyell Award lecture at the      British Science Festival and co-wrote Who Do You Think You Really Are.
• Dr. Jenny Rohn, a cell biologist at University College      London, who is the editor of the webzine LabLit.com and founder of the      Science is Vital organization.
• Prof. Ian Stewart, professor of mathematics at the      University of Warwick and an author of popular science and science fiction      books. He has been awarded the Christopher Zeeman Medal and the Michael      Faraday Medal.
• Prof. David Southwood, president of the Royal      Astronomical Society, Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College      London, and former Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the      European Space Agency.

As well as the science programme, attractions at Loncon 3 include the presentation of the Hugo Awards, the world’s leading awards for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy, and the Masquerade, live presentations showcasing spectacular costumes. The programme will present nearly a thousand individual items spread over five days, with panels, talks, workshops, quizzes, films, videos, autograph sessions, and more.

Full details of how to become a member of Loncon 3 are available at http://www.loncon3.org/memberships/

ENDS

For more information please contact [email protected]

ABOUT THE WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION

Founded in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is one of the largest international gatherings of authors, artists, editors, publishers, and fans of science fiction and fantasy. The annual Hugo Awards, the leading award for excellence in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, are voted on by the Worldcon membership and presented during the convention.

Loncon 3 is the trading name of London 2014 Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number: 7989510. Registered Office: 176 Portland Road, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 1DJ, UK.

“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, the Hugo Award Logo, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Trophy Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.