‘Outspoken’ scientist reveals his Hollywood life

Sean Carroll helps Hollywood use more believable science better in films. (Courtesy: Matin Durrani)

By Matin Durrani

This blog is a shameless plug for the latest Physics World podcast, in which I talk to Sean Carroll – the California Institute of Technology cosmologist who also serves as a science adviser to Hollywood.

I chatted with Carroll when he was in the UK speaking at the recent Cheltenham Science Festival and, in the podcast, you can find out about his favourite science-fiction films and why he thinks it’s important to get the science in such films right. Carroll also reveals who he thinks he’s most like in TV’s The Big Bang Theory.

If you don’t know Carroll, I can assure you he’s an engaging speaker, as I found out myself when hearing him deliver a public talk in Cheltenham. In fact, news emerged yesterday that the American Institute of Physics has given this “outspoken” scientist the 2014 Gemant award – an annual $5000 prize that recognizes “significant contributions to the cultural, artistic or humanistic dimension of physics”.

Carroll’s worked on a number of Hollywood films, including Thor, Avengers Assemble and TRON: Legacy. So have a listen to our latest podcast – I’d be interested to know what films you think are the best (and worst) at covering science.