Category Archives: Science fiction

In which climate apocalypse feels inevitable

Here in England, we are braced for an historic heat wave. The Met Office has issued its first ever ‘Red Warning of Extreme Heat‘ for much of the UK, with temperatures set to reach a new record of 40 degrees … Continue reading

Posted in Policy, Science fiction, Staring into the abyss | 2 Comments

In which I imagine a dystopian future

Despite my dedication to promoting the Lab Lit genre, I’ve always been an avid science fiction fan too. I admire how a good dystopian tale can transport you into a terrifying alternative future so convincingly that when you emerge from … Continue reading

Posted in LabLit, Science fiction, Writing | Comments Off on In which I imagine a dystopian future

In which I am still largely at large: another mother in academia

Blogging appearances to the contrary, I am still alive, clinging gamely to some semblance of work-life balance as a new mother in academia. Not so new anymore, I realize, as Joshua hurtles, one milestone at a time, toward his first … Continue reading

Posted in LabLit, Science fiction, Students, Teaching, The profession of science, Women in science, Writing | 10 Comments

In which fantasy informs reality – and saves the planet

The discussion about what fiction can do for science is best encapsulated by the often heard, emblematic plea: Where’s my bloody jetpack, then? Okay, so the technorati may still be earthbound on Segways while they wait for the price of … Continue reading

Posted in LabLit, Science fiction, Writing | 10 Comments

In which I am not worthy

I am still pinching myself. The good folks from the Edinburgh Book Festival have invited me to get up on stage with one of my favorite authors, Neal Stephenson, to discuss the importance of science fiction on science fact. The … Continue reading

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, Science fiction, Writing | 8 Comments