The Science of Discworld

Saturday 12^th January 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

A presentation by Prof. Jack Cohen, co-author of the ‘Science of Discworld’  books

The Science of Discworld is a trilogy (with a fourth title expected soon) of popular science books written by Terry Pratchett in collaboration with mathematician Ian Stewart and biologist Jack Cohen.

Each book combines a Discworld-based story by Pratchett interwoven with chapters on real world science by Stewart and Cohen. In this highly entertaining presentation, Professor Cohen will help us to view the science underpinning our world (‘Roundworld’) from a completely different perspective.

Join us for a talk that will appeal to everyone with an interest in science, as well as to fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

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Apes, Angels and Ancestors

Saturday 14th May 2.00pm

Moordown Community Centre Coronation AvenueMoordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW


Even people who accept the evolution of lower animals often struggle to believe our human ancestors also evolved from lower creatures, and turn instead to stories of divine creation. Most scientists find it equally difficult to believe we are not related to the rest of the natural world by descent because we are so similar in all our systems, including our brains.

In this fascinating presentation, distinguished biologist and author Jack Cohen explains how ‘the ape with the curious mind’ arose from creatures that were “just animals”.

Everyone welcome – Free entry

Dr Jack Cohen is an internationally known reproductive biologist who writes, lectures and campaigns to promote public awareness of science. He has written popular biology textbooks, more than 100 research papers, and books exploring complexity, chaos and simplicity with co-author, mathematician Ian Stewart. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on hypothetical alien biology and has designed alien creatures and ecologies for top science fiction writers including Terry Pratchett, Harry Harrison and Larry Niven. He is frequently heard on radio and has participated in several TV programmes including for the BBC’s flagship science series, Horizon.