More info coming soon!

More info coming soon!

**This Fireside Chat will be hosted virtually. After you have signed up for a ticket, you’ll receive a link to the virtual event.**

Join us on our virtual Fireside sofa where TechHub Founder Elizabeth will be chatting with Gemma Milne, science and tech writer, and author of ‘Smoke & Mirrors: How Hype Obscures the Future and How to See Past It’ all about her contribution to the tech ecosystem, and the ideas behind her new book.

Event Schedule

12.30pm: Welcome and Fireside Chat with Gemma Milne and Elizabeth Varley

1.15pm: Audience Q&A

2.00pm: Event close

Uncover how the hype-machine operates in the world of science and technology. 

Join science journalist and author Gemma Milne for FUTURES Podcast LIVE, hosted by Luke Robert Mason.

Overblown promises about the future application of new scientific advances and innovative technologies grab attention. This hype can attract investors, gain the interest of the media and drive support from the general public. But there is a darker side to hype: it can mislead, distract and obscure the nuances of the scientific process. Already we are beginning to see the impact that bold claims have on our understanding of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, brain implants, cancer drugs, future foods and fusion energy. 

How can the public cut through the constant stream of information and misinformation on social media? How can scientists better communicate the nuances of their work? How can technologists ensure that hype doesn’t misdirect or even derail crucial progress?

The Interintellect is proud to present our very first European Interintellect Talks event - a series kickoff with our own Gemma Milne!

The brilliant young science journalist's debut book, Smoke & Mirrors, is a poignant, witty exploration of our culture of hype: how public opinion and even science funding are shaped by it, and how we can all learn to see through the magic tricks and focus on real progress for humanity.

We will present this urgently relevant topic through a discussion led by fellow Interintellects Thomas Arnold, Suzan Bond and Micheál Reilly - representing academia, business and technology - with an exciting Q&A with the audience afterwards.

Upon booking a ticket, you will receive an email with the intro chapter of Smoke & Mirrors!

Join us for a virtual book launch to chat about Gemma's book-writing journey and why critical thinking is key to building a better future.

Gemma Milne is a freelance science and technology journalist and author of 'Smoke & Mirrors: How Hype Obscures the Future and How to See Past It'.

We'll speak to Gemma about the process of researching, writing and getting a publisher for a non-fiction book, as well as promoting it during lockdown and building an author platform. We'll discuss how to spot hype and think more critically - both as writers and as citizens in today's society. Finally, we'll consider how to make sense of the complex, whether that's science and tech or something entirely different, and feel more empowered in tackling difficult topics

The talk will take place on Zoom. You'll receive a Zoom link 30 minutes before the start of the event.

"Stop following the news until you've read Gemma Milne's persuasive analysis of the hype and bullshit that distort our understanding of emerging science. As she shows, the starting point to grasping the genuine opportunities of AI, life sciences and climate tech is a healthy dose of critical thinking."

These words from David Rowan, founding editor of WIRED UK, encourage us all to pay attention to the recommendations in Smoke and Mirrors, https://www.gemmamilne.co.uk/book - the forthcoming new book by science and technology journalist Gemma Milne, https://www.gemmamilne.co.uk/

This 90 minute London Futurists live webinar features Gemma Milne in discussion with:

*) Jack Stilgoe, Science & Technology Studies at UCL, and Fellow of Turing Institute, https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/people/dr-jack-stilgoe
*) Jenny Kleeman, Journalist, author, and filmmaker, https://www.jennykleeman.com/

The webinar will be moderated by David Wood, Chair of London Futurists.

The world needs your voice.

In a time of confusion and hype, how can you contribute to our collective narrative?

How can you spot patterns, brush past media and political hype, and write critically about the subjects that matter the most to you?

That's Gemma Milne's job.

Gemma is a young Scottish science and tech journalist who makes a living from writing and speaking about the cultural effects of technological and scientific advancements and how we can best use these as a society.

Her approach to research and writing has led to her writing for Forbes, BBC and a number of other media. She has been invited to speak at conferences including SWSW, WOW and TEDx.

Her book Smoke & Mirrors: How Hype Obscures the Future and How to See Past It is a guide to how to push past misleading news, shed our blinkers and see the future more clearly and is out this April.

Join us as we talk to Gemma about:

• How to apply critical thinking techniques and rock-solid research methods to your book or article

• How to master a topic when you don’t have the time or expertise

• Strategies for looking at a topic from every angle to find the truth

• How to know enough about a topic to write about it

• Get past hype, noise, and Fake News to find the truth

• Gemma’s journey from finance to advertising to journalism to public speaking at conferences

• How and why to build your author platform before you’re an author

• Strategies for marketing yourself and your book before it comes out

Hello internet friends,

We’re trapped at home and you are also probably most likely trapped at home as well. So let's all get together, from the comfort of our own bunkers, and talk about something else for an hour. We invite an author in to talk about their work and answer questions from you, the audience.