Originally published 22 May 2002

What happens is a unique partnership that introduces the huge audience of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld fans to leading edge science research development of the human mind.

This month two University of Warwick scientists, Professor Ian Stewart and Dr Jack Cohen have partnered with best selling author Terry Pratchett to publish two best selling books –the paperback "The Science of Discworld" and the new hardback “Science of Discworld 2” the books use the comedy fantasy setting of Pratchett’s Discworld to explain the real science of our universe.

Science of Discworld 2 weaves together a Discworld story by Terry Pratchett which examines what happens when wizards meddle with history in a battle against the elves for the future of humanity, with scientific commentary by two University of Warwick researchers (mathematician and chaos theory expert Professor Ian Stewart and reproductive Biologist Dr Jack Cohen) on the evolution and development of the human mind, culture, language, art, and science.
The three authors will be delivering a free public lecture on the content of the two books in the University of Warwick’s Arts Centre Conference room on Thursday 30th May at 3pm followed by a book-signing.

The last time Terry Pratchett visited the University of Warwick, to receive an honorary degree from the University, he reciprocated by performing a short ceremony to make Professor Ian Stewart and Dr Jack Cohen "Honorary Wizards of the Unseen University" – the Discworld’s own University. This time we are only giving him lunch so we won’t be expecting as much wizard making this time.

For further information contact:

Professor Ian Stewart
Department of Mathematics
University of Warwick
Tel 024 76 52 3740
I.N.Stewart@warwick.ac.uk

Peter Dunn, Press and Media Relations Manager,
University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 523708
or 07767 655860 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk