Dr Jane Gregory is a senior lecturer in science and technology studies at University College London, and is an expert on outsiders in science…
Outsiders such as Fred Hoyle who is credited with the widely accepted theory that heavier elements are created in stars, but who also held some scientifically heretical views. It was he who coined the term ‘Big Bang’, not to support, but to take the piss (ahem), out of the idea that the universe had a beginning. He also argued that evolution doesn’t depend on the natural selection of random variations, but that it is driven by genetic material falling to Earth from outer space.
Full Disclosure:
Jane Gregory co-supervised my undergraduate dissertation when I was a boy (its title: ‘Greening the Yuppie: Rational choice theory and environmental behaviour’ or something). Thus it was slightly odd to be back, especially since many of our previous conversations had revolved around the question of wether I’d actually done any work (or not). In spite of this she kindly agreed to an interview…