An evening with Professor Richard Dawkins

World-renowned science broadcaster and author Professor Richard Dawkins will give a public lecture at the University of St Andrews this week (Thursday 10 March 2005).

As part of National Science Week (11-20 March 2005), the activity is being hosted in conjunction with the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science).

The lecture – which is free of charge – will be held in Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews – 7.30pm – doors open at 6.45pm. No tickets required. For further information, please contact the Admissions department – telephone 01334 463324 or email ed- [email protected].

Professor Dawkins and his wife, former Dr Who actress Lalla Ward, will present a ‘double act’ consisting of readings from his latest book, The Ancestor’s Tale. It is a history of life, written in the form of a Chaucerian pilgrimage, from the present to the remote evolutionary past. The pilgrims are all species of living creatures. On their backward journey, they meet the human pilgrims at a series of 39 rendezvous points. After each rendezvous, some of the pilgrims have the opportunity to tell a tale. Among the tales to be read will be the Gorilla’s Tale, the Hippo’s Tale and the Barnacle’s Tale. After the readings, Professor Dawkins will answer questions from the audience.

Richard Dawkins FRS is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. His eight books include The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil’s Chaplain and, most recently, The Ancestor’s Tale.

Major prizes awarded for his scientific work include the Cosmos International Prize (Japan) and the Kistler Prize (USA). He lives in Oxford with his wife and daughter.

Full details of University of St Andrews/National Science Week events at www.st- andrews.ac.uk/admissions/nsw2005.sh tml

Issued by Beattie Media

On behalf of the University of St Andrews

For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/NSW-dawkins View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk