Influential populariser of science; bestselling author and storyteller, Lucy Hawking is the daughter of Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Chairperson of the Stephen Hawking Foundation. Lucy Hawking makes science accessible and entertaining to young people through her “George” book series of fantasy adventure novels based on real science. Written in collaboration with world-leading scientists including her father, the late Professor Stephen Hawking.
As well as editing the text for her father’s final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Lucy wrote the afterword for the posthumous book and recorded the audio version for Audible and Radio 4. Lucy has also made documentaries for BBC Radio 4 about the impact of technology on different aspects of human life. She is currently working on a series of podcasts for Audible about the future of the human race in space.
In addition, Lucy Hawking was the creator of the Principia Space Diary with Curved House Kids for the UK Space Agency. Principia Space Diary represents an innovative educational concept for primary students which allowed them to write their own book about astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Lucy Hawking sheds light on the universal law of cosmic sustainability as discovered by her father: nothing is lost, only transformed. She will touch upon her father’s life and work and how they ended up working together to write a series of books for kids, which includes an explanation of how the universe began and how stars form – leading to the remarkable conclusion that we are all formed from the recycled products of stars.
She has toured the world, giving popular talks on physics, astronomy and cosmology to young audiences. She was an invited guest speaker at NASA’s 50th birthday celebrations where she gave a talk on engaging young people in science and education. Lucy is also the winner of the Sapio Prize for Popularizing Science 2008.
“If you have a question, you must ask it. It doesn’t matter if you think ‘Oh, I wonder if they’ll think I’m silly.’ Don’t worry, ask the question … because that’s what scientists do, they ask questions. So always ask because you never know where the answer might lead.”
Holding 32 honorary degrees from UK and foreign universities, Lucy Hawking has received numerous honours including the Legion d’Honneur from the French Government, an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians, The American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, and The Australian Medical Research Society Medal. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.