Timandra Harkness BigTimages

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Science writer, broadcaster, comedian and co-host of Radio 4’s FutureProofing series, Timandra examines the effects of all areas of technology. She is the author of Big Data: does size matter? and has written for Wired, the Guardian and the Telegraph.


Biography

 Timandra Harkness is a science writer, broadcaster, and comedian. She has performed maths standup, presented on Radio 4, and written a book; Big Data: does size matter?

After performing improvised and stand-up comedy, hosting cabaret, and touring with a tented circus, Timandra formed the first comedy science double-act in the UK with neuroscientist Dr Helen Pilcher.

Now a regular writing and presenting on Radio 4, Timandra has fronted documentaries such as Data, Data Everywhere, and Personality Politics. She co-hosts FutureProofing, with Leo Johnson, which sees her looking at the future of everything from language to war, ageing to food. She’s also the resident reporter on social psychology series The Human Zoo.

Away from the microphone and since winning a competition in the Independent with a piece on goat-borrowing, she has written for publications including the Telegraph, Guardian, Sunday Times, Evening Standard, WIRED, Men's Health, and Significance (the journal of the Royal Statistical Society). Her book Big Data: does size matter? gives a history of data collection and collation, how it’s changing the world, and its shortcomings from politics to health to smart cities.

Combining unusual facts with insight and humour, Timandra looks at how the future will affect business and society. As well as looking at big data, she tackles AI and robotics, and considers topics around our relationship with science and technology.

On stage, Timandra has appeared in and co-written Your Days Are Numbered: the maths of death and Science Burlesque, which brought the Cheltenham Science Festival its first audience that included a hen party.

 

 

Videos

The JLA Speakers Breakfast

JLA+ Stream: 2021 Predictions

More Details

Agent Recommendation

Whenever she hears ‘the government has access to your intimate details, AI is already smarter than everybody you know,’ Timandra arches an eyebrow and says ‘Well, OK, maybe.’ That’s not a casual remark, it’s because she’s a serious scientific investigator set on distinguishing truth from myth. But she’s also a part-time stand-up, hence the fun she has conjuring up a reality show for robots. She’s a fascinating, illuminating, real life wizard.  

JLA Agent Lizzie Carr
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Book

Book written by Timandra Harkness

Contact

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JLA Presents


Event - 30/04/2024 - 9:00 am

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani and Anne-Marie Imafidon

We were joined at 87 Barts Close by three brilliant speakers on a panel that delved into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence. Over the hour our panellists de-mystified AI, speaking about AI’s immense promise for enhancing our lives, alongside the apprehension it has generated regarding job security, privacy infringement, and ethical considerations.

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

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Event - 06/02/2024 - 9:00 am

Speakers Breakfast

Looking Ahead to International Women’s Day

Speakers
Samira Ahmed, Eniola Aluko, Julia Gillard, and Alex Mahon

We were joined by four fantastic speakers to look ahead at International Women’s Day. With the theme of this year’s event being #InspireInclusion, we were lucky enough to hear from four women who have each blazed a trail in their respective fields: CEO of Channel 4, Alex Mahon; the former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of Kings’ Global Institute of Women’s Leadership, Julia Gillard; one of the leading voices in football, Eniola Aluko MBE; and broadcaster and journalist, Samira Ahmed.

Location

Bishopsgate Institute, London

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