Homer vs Hooke: Literature or Science?

Join us for this special lecture by UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow, Professor Nick Athanasou on Robert Hooke, who was a brilliant, but rather abused scientist, as he was not of rich or noble background, but a great experimental scientist. He was one of the first to build a microscope and the first to use the term “cell” to describe what he saw in biological specimens.

This talk will compare the skills required to write literary, as opposed to scientific, works and will draw on Professor Athanasou’s and others’ experience of doing both. Professor Athanasou will discuss similarities and differences between these two disciplines and the relative merits and rewards of following one or other (or both) careers.

Nikos (Nick) Athanasou is a short story writer, novelist, musculoskeletal pathologist and research scientist. He was born in Perth and grew up in Sydney. Both his parents emigrated from the Greek island of Castellorizo. He studied at Sydney High School, Sydney University, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and Oxford University where he is Professor of Musculoskeletal Pathology and an Emeritus Fellow at Wadham College. He works as a diagnostic pathologist and carries out research into diseases of bone, joint and soft tissues. He has written two collections of short stories, Hybrids and Late Hybrids and three novels, The Greek Liar, The Person of the Man, and Palindrome (all published by Brandl & Schlesinger). He has also written numerous medical/scientific papers and medical books.

Professor Athanasou will participate in ‘Totally Lit – Adventures in the Port City’ during his visit to Perth. Inspired by place, culture, community and story, ‘Totally Lit’ will activate Fremantle/Walyalup with a program of live literature events and original, immersive experiences for audiences of all ages. Visit totallylit.au for details.