SynBio in Science Fiction: the interplay between fiction and reality

June 29, 2023

From Star Trek to The Last of Us, mainstream science fiction media has inspired generations of people to take up an interest in STEM. Science fiction writers often imagine new technologies, scientific concepts, and even entire worlds that scientists may not have previously considered. It can provide a platform for authors and scientists to explore and test the potential consequences of technology without the risks and limitations of the real world. Authors rise to the challenge of accurately portraying scientific concepts and ideas in an ethical manner all while keeping us entertained. This task is even more timely as the emergence of synthetic biology blurs the line between science fiction and science fact as we increasingly have the power to design life and steer the course of evolution. 

To further explore the interplay between science and science fiction, we are excited to announce that we will host an online interview with British-Canadian author Cory Doctorow. Cory is a multi-talented author publishing non-fiction, graphic novels, and science fiction. His science-fiction books include his latest “Red Team Blues” as well as “Walkaway” and “Radicalized”, which explore themes such as the impact of technology on society, environmentalism, and social justice. Hosting the event is Larissa Shasko, Larissa Shasko is a PhD of Public Policy candidate at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy with the University of Saskatchewan. She studies public perception of low-dose radiation exposure, with a focus on public engagement through media. 

Please join us on June 29th at 7 p.m. EST to participate in this lively discussion around the interplay of synthetic biology and science fiction

Would YOU like to know more about Cory Doctorow and Larissa Shasko?

Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction author, activist, and journalist. His latest book RED TEAM BLUES, a technothriller about finance crime; his latest nonfiction book is CHOKEPOINT CAPITALISM (with Rebecca Giblin), about creative labor markets and monopoly. He is the author of the international young adult LITTLE BROTHER series. He is also the author HOW TO DESTROY SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM, nonfiction about conspiracies and monopolies; and of RADICALIZED and WALKAWAY, science fiction for adults, a YA graphic novel called IN REAL LIFE; and other young adult novels like PIRATE CINEMA. His first picture book was POESY THE MONSTER SLAYER (Aug 2020). His next novel is THE LOST CAUSE (November 2023). His next nonfiction book is THE INTERNET CON (September 2023), a nonfiction book from Verso about monopoly and radical interoperability. He maintains a daily blog at Pluralistic.net. He works for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is a MIT Media Lab Research Affiliate, is a Visiting Professor of Computer Science at Open University, a Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of North Carolina’s School of Library and Information Science and co-founded the UK Open Rights Group. Born in Toronto, Canada, he now lives in Los Angeles. In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. In 2022, he earned the Sir Arthur Clarke Imagination in Service to Society Awardee for lifetime achievement.

(taken from https://craphound.com/bio/)

Larissa Shasko is a Ph.D. of Public Policy candidate at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy with the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently researching how social media and science fiction can help increase interest in learning about nuclear energy and climate change among women and younger age groups. Her thesis project looks at digital visual science fiction storytelling about the end of the world using Instagram. Larissa’s interest in science communication was sparked through her background in climate change research and activism, particularly during her youth. Through the creation of her science fiction Instagram character Atomic_Eve and her research into the public engagement potentials of zombies, superpowers, and apocalyptic narratives, she hopes to find solutions to a very challenging gap of participation among young people, particularly younger women, in nuclear energy policy decisions.

Larissa has presented her research at conferences around the world and is a fellow of the Nuclear Energy Agency’s NEST Program (Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology). She is currently located in Regina, Saskatchewan where in addition to her research activities, she is active in the arts community as a dance artist and is a proud mother of two young daughters.