MARK STEVENSON
Mark Stevenson’s life is an exercise in balancing accessible entertainment and extreme geekiness.
His early career saw him simultaneously work as an expert in prime number cryptography while fronting a pop band, enjoying brief notoriety in Japan, France and much to his surprise, Chile. The videos still embarrass him. In his spare time he wrote a national newspaper column.
Mark then took to stand-up comedy, deriving almost all of his material from the annals of scientific and mathematical research. “Smart doesn’t have to be dull or for those with an education,” he says. “There’s something great about working Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem into a set on a Tuesday night in Swindon.” He was soon writing for Talkback Thames, fulfilling a regular joke writing contract and is currently collaborating on two plays about truth as well as writing ‘An Optimist’s Tour of the Future’ – a popular science book for people who don’t read popular science books, as well as providing a funnier read for those who do.
Continuing to balance entertainment with more formal vehicles Mark is also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of both Flow Associates, the UK’s most respected cultural learning consultancy and ReAgency, an agency for science communication talent. He has recently been elected a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce.
A passionate advocate for science, an innovative approach, a great sense of humour and the ability to make the mundane seem much more interesting – Royal College of Surgeons
An unashamedly intelligent comedic talent – The Irish Independent
Extremely funny, scientifically relevant and a consummate professional – University of Bristol Medical School
A unique talent for communicating science in a funny, charming and accurate way. Highly recommended – Dana Alliance for the Brain
Tall – Lichfield Mercury
For more information visit www.optimistontour.com
BIBLIOGRAPHY: An Optimist’s Tour of the Future, Penguin USA; Profile UK, 2011
