With Sumit Paul-Choudhury, Prof Kawal Rhode, Dr Vicky McGuinness and Tom Hunter.

 

“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”

So said science fiction writer, futurist, and King’s alum, Sir Arthur C. Clarke as the second of his famous Three Laws. We’ll invite our expert panellists to take their own small steps into the impossible, imagine the brightest technological and cultural futures emerging from today’s cutting-edge research, plus explore how storytelling and public engagement can help bring those futures closer to reality.

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Sumit Paul-Choudhury is the author The Bright Side, an exploration of the psychology, philosophy and practice of optimism, and works on alternative histories, social experiments and applied speculations through his creative studio, Alternity. He previously worked as Editor-in-Chief for New Scientist, and served as founding creative director for New Scientist Live, the world’s most exciting festival of ideas and discovery.

Prof Kawal Rhode is Head of Integrated Engineering Education at King’s. His research interests include medical robotics, 3D printing in healthcare and biomedical engineering. He is also an avid fan of science fiction, video games, and collecting vintage technologies.

Dr Vicky McGuinness works at King’s as part of King’s Innovation Catalyst. She supports SHAPE researchers (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) in developing partnerships with external organisations, with a focus on fostering and supporting equitable interdisciplinary and public engagement with research collaborations through local and international projects and partnerships.

Tom Hunter (chair) is the director of the Arthur C. Clarke Award science fiction book of the year, named for writer, futurist, and King’s College London alum, Sir Arthur C. Clarke.