Name: Ian Simmons
Age: 49
Institution: The Centre for Life
Subject studied: Biological Sciences
Job title: Science Communication Director
Why did you decide to become a scientist?
- It seemed to be where all the fascinating stuff was happening, and while it seemed perfectly possible to enjoy the arts without studying them, with science you really needed to get the qualifications
Who is your science idol?
- Richard Feynman – he was curious, funny, imaginative, brilliant, would always stand up to authority when it needed to be done, and he really knew how to party,
Which scientific discovery/invention impresses you the most?
- Tesla Coils, every time, I am just a complete sucker for the massive lightning bolts they produce.
How did you become involved with Cafe Sci and what benefits does it bring you?
- I saw Duncan Dallas talk about them and thought ‘I could do that’ so did. I went back to Norwich and set up a Café there, and then when I moved to Wales got a grant to set up five across the country, and helped run the Cardiff one
What kinds of subjects have you covered at Cafes?
- All sorts of things in the cafes I’ve run, from Creationism to science and politics. I like to have newsy, controversial issues in my cafes rather than more erudite academic ones that some tend towards. I’ve spoken myself on things like creationism, swine flu, genetics and aliens at various cafes
What subjects would you like to cover?
- I haven’t done stem cells yet, and as scientists here at Life work extensively with them we do a lot about them, but I haven’t yet spoken at a café on them
(Finish the sentence) In 100 years time my subject area will be different because........
- ...every time we think we know most things, we find out we don’t.
Anything else you would like to say?
- If you want a science café and don’t have one locally – go set one up, it’s easier than you think!
