Welcome to Loncon 3

What do you look for when it comes to a Worldcon science programme? Up-to-date science, delivered by world experts in their fields? Thorny scientific and real-world issues discussed by knowledgeable panelists? The relationship between science and science fiction explored by great writers, great scientists and by those experienced in both? And the unexpected – the unknown unknowns that add an extra frisson to any convention.

We're bringing all this and more to Loncon 3.

London is one of the world’s great scientific cities. Two of the world’s top ten universities are within its boundaries, and two more are within easy reach; so we have direct access to many of the world’s best scientists. London is also the home to the Royal Society, the world’s first science academy, so we can call on the scientific past as well as its present and future.

The Loncon 3 science programme aims to take 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 who will 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.

And that’s just scratching the surface. Whether you’re interested in science or not, a professional or an amateur, young or old, we will have something for you.

Dave Clements