Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

‘A Life Scientific’

Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Physics and Professor in the Public Engagement of Science, University of Surrey, interviewed by Sarah Thompson, Professor of Physics, University of York

 Thanks to his frequent appearances in television documentaries and his radio series The Life Scientific, Jim Al-Khalili, OBE, is one of the best known scientists in Britain, often seen interviewing his fellow scientists about their lives and work.  In turn Sarah Thompson will interview Jim about his own journey from Baghdad, where he was born, and his wide-ranging career which has included explaining how Dr Who can travel through time.

Report

Quantum mechanics was central among Jim Al-Khalili’s interests when graduating at the age of 24 with a PhD in nuclear reaction theory. In this interview he touched on the somewhat competitive relationship between experimentalists and theorists – himself being among the latter. A current interest is quantum biology and he has collaborated for many years in developing revolutionary ideas that are now being accepted internationally as valid concepts worthy of research.

He retains an abiding interest in teaching, endeavouring always to put on a performance. During the interview his mini-lecture on Borromean systems, a form of molecular interlocking, made a very complicated subject quite understandable. Best known as a scientific broadcaster, he is proud of the fact that his peers say ‘he is still a physicist’ despite his celebrity.

These days, Jim derives most enjoyment from his writing.

Ken Hutson