Ep49: Experimental Words (Part 1)

November 28, 2017 in Season 3

Image credit: Experimental Words/Sam Illingworth/Dan Simpson

What happens when you bring scientists and poets together to form unique performance pieces? This episode looks at one project that’s doing exactly that.

Exposing people to different practices, and different languages - that’s a really great way of enabling them to expand their own mindset

Photograph of Experimental Words training day. — Image credit: Jess Wade

Dr Sam Illingworth is a scientist, and a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at Manchester Metropolitan University. Dan Simpson is a poet, performer and producer. Together they are Dr. Illingworth & Mr. Simpson, working to produce spoken word projects that combine cutting-edge research and spoken word.

Experimental Words is one of those projects. In different cities around the UK they pair up poets with scientists and challenge them to produce unique pieces for public performance. This episode I document taking part in one of those events, and talk to Dan and Sam about their motivation for the project. I also talk to some of the poets and scientists taking part in the event.

You can find out more about Dr. Illingworth & Mr. Simpson and Experimental Words on their website. Sam’s personal site is here, Dan’s is here, and they also tweet @samillingworth and @dansimpsonpoet respectively.

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