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Inspiring Science 2013: Ideas in the Bath

1,406 views · Published 18 March 2013 · 1:30:18 · Indexed 29 September 2026

Channel: British Library · 2013 · Science & Technology

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Ideas in the bath? Serendipity, Chance and Science was an evening event at the British Library, 11 March 2013 featuring a discussion by a panel of distinguished British scientists. 

Four interviewees from the project 'An Oral History of British Science' (Professor Cyril Hilsum, Professor Dame Julia Higgins, Professor Mike Baillie and Professor Chris Rapley) came together to discuss how serendipity had touched their careers, in areas as diverse as electronics engineering and dendrochronology, with historian of science Dr Charlotte Sleigh to add a historical perspective.

After an hour, the subject was thrown open to the audience, who asked the panel questions such as how they might better encourage serendipity in scientific developments.

For audio and video interview extracts from these interviews, and others interviewed for An Oral History of British Science, visit the Voices of Science website: www.bl.uk/voices-of-science

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