David Kirby

Biography

Dr. Kirby received his PhD in Molecular Evolutionary Genetics from the University of Maryland at College Park and has several publications in scientific journals including Genetics and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). He worked for several years as an Assistant Professor in American University''s Department of Biology. In 2001 he decided to leave bench science to explore the relationship between science, media, and the public. To achieve this goal he undertook a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cornell University''s Departments of Science & Technology Studies and Communication. After this re-training postdoc he spent a year teaching science communication classes at Duke University before taking a position at the University of Manchester in the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine where he is now a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication Studies. Several of his publications address the relationship between cinema, genetics and biotechnology including essays in New Literary History, Literature and Medicine, and Science Fiction Studies. He is also exploring the collaboration between scientists and the entertainment industry and has publications in Social Studies of Science and P_ublic Understanding of Science_ on this topic. His research on the collaboration between scientists and the entertainment industry can be found in his recent book Lab Coats in Hollywood: Science, Scientists and Cinema published by MIT Press. Since its release, the book has received positive reviews in over 20 newspapers, magazines and journals including Nature, Science, Film Comment, Times Literary Supplement, and BBC Focus Magazine. His current research explores the role of forensic science in televisual storytelling. He is also beginning a book project examining the relationship between science, religion, and movies.

Biology, Medicine and Health (BMH) Domains

• Population Health & Ecosystems