Science hawk : Alan Alda’s all talk

Dalhousie Building, Dundee University, June 21

Alan Alda is recognised around the world for his role as Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce of the 4,077th mobile army surgical hospital (M*A*S*H).

Younger viewers might recognise him as as Republican senator and presidential nominee Arnold Vinick in the hit US political drama, The West Wing.

But as well as being an award-winning actor, director, screen writer and author, he is also a passionate ambassador for the communication of science, and his work in that field will be recognised on June 21 when he receives an honorary degree from Dundee University.

Later that day, at 6pm, An Evening With Alan Alda, chaired by author and broadcaster Dr Adam Rutherford, will focus on his passion for communication and his zeal for exploring new knowledge and technology.

“I was always curious as a child, and in my early 20s I started reading everything I could about science,” says Alan.

As host of US TV show Scientific American Frontiers, he interviewed thousands of scientists, and developed a knack for helping them communicate complex ideas in ways a wide audience could understand.

That got him wondering if those techniques held a clue to better communication for the rest of us.

Today he is a visiting professor at Stony Brook University where he is a founding member and advisor to the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, where scientists learn communicative skills to help the layperson understand science better without all the jargon.

“My goal is to see communication taught to all students of science and medicine as part of their normal education,” he says.

“At the Alda Center, we’ve developed an effective way to help people be better communicators and I want to see it spread around the world.”

Alan, who counts Marie Curie and physicist Richard Feynman as his scientific heroes, is no stranger to awards but is thrilled to be recognised by the university.

“I feel touched and honoured,” he says. “Who knew my life would bring me here for this very kind recognition for what I’ve tried to do?”

Alan’s latest book If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating chronicles how he found inspiration in everything from cutting-edge science to classic acting methods to help people communicate and relate more effectively.

Entry to An Evening with Alan Alda is free.

Read more about Alan Alda’s career in tomorrow’s Courier Weekend magazine and at www.thecourier.co.uk. www.alanalda.com www.dundee.ac.uk

Alan Alda is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm for science with the Dundee audience.