After spending fifteen years as a marine biology professor, Randy Olson decided that he was no longer interested in telling stories OF science and had become more interested in telling stories ABOUT science. Despite years of academic training, he resigned from his tenured professorship and moved to Hollywood to learn the art of filmmaking. Now, Randy is an independent filmmaker and a specialist in the art of communicating science and technical information to the public.

His book, Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style was described by Nature as "An excellent explanation of why scientists have problems communicating with the public" and Science said it “ought to be required reading in all graduate science programs.”

We are delighted to have Randy join us at IMPACT on Wednesday, February 15. His talk, "Story Telling: Clear Proof that Scientists Descended from Humans" will be both informative and humorous! Please join for this exciting event in LeCraw Auditorium, College of Management, or watch the free live webcast.

Other Events with Dr. Randy Olson

In addition to this talk, Dr. Randy Olson will also participate in a screening of his new film "Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy" followed by a panel discussion. More information about this event can be found here:

http://www.gatech.edu/calendar/event.html?nid=107371

Randy Olson’s Bio:

Once upon a time Randy Olson was a humble, mild-mannered professor of marine biology at the University of New Hampshire. But then his brain sort of turned inside out and he shifted from scientist to artist. It happened in his first year as a professor. He hit a point where he realized that after fifteen years of telling stories OF science he had grown more interested in telling stories ABOUT science.

Despite his Harvard Ph.D., four years of post-doctoral research in Australia and Florida, and years of diving around the world from the Great Barrier Reef to Antarctica, he tossed it all in, resigned from his tenured professorship and moved to Hollywood to explore film as a medium for communicating science.

Today he is an independent filmmaker and no longer considers himself a scientist, but is now fluent in the two languages of science and cinema. In addition to writing and directing his own feature films about major issues in science, he has worked with a variety of clients to assist them with the use of visual media in communicating science to the general public. Through his writings he has both related his journey, and continues his exploration into the role of storytelling in the mass communication of science.

About the Impact Speaker Series

Since 2002, the IMPACT Speaker Series has brought highly successful business leaders from a variety of industries to campus to share their experiences and give advice to students and other entrepreneurs on topics ranging from "building a venture around intellectual capital" to "successful entrepreneurship in large organizations" and "socially responsible leadership".

The weekly series provides Georgia Tech students, alumni and the Atlanta business community an opportunity to network and learn from successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and notable business and non-profit leaders. Events for the series take place in the LeCraw Auditorium in the College of Management building at 4:30 pm on Wednesdays unless otherwise noted.

The series is free and open to the public, and reservations are not required.

Cosponsors

Randy Olson's events at Georgia Tech are hosted by the Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneuship and cosponsored by the Center for Biologically Inspired Design. Additional collaborators include the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Students Organizing for Sustainability.