Doctor Who joined by DMU film lecturer for packed sci-fi convention

With sonic screwdrivers, cyborgs bent on world domination and time travel, Doctor Who has always been at the forefront of futuristic sci-fi fantasy.



And one of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s senior film lecturers will be exploring the relationship between science and the creativity of sci-fi at a huge Doctor Who convention happening this weekend.

Hundreds of Whovians from all over the world are heading to the city’s National Space Centre for Science of the Time Lords, with appearances from the Fifth Doctor Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy, the Seventh Doctor, as well as assistants Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton).

Joining them will be Dr Matt Jones, of DMU’s renowned Cinema and Television History research centre to examine what the series got right – and wrong – about technology.



He said: “Doctor Who anticipated all sorts of scientific and technological advances, from the internet and virtual reality to wearable devices and cybernetic implants. But it is also a programme that has been shaped as much by our hopes, fear and fantasies as by physics and chemistry. It is a real treat to get to talk about this with the fans, but the highlight will be having the show’s monsters on stage with me to demonstrate my ideas! That will be a first for me!”
 
Dr Jones will be giving the talks on both days at 11:45am. Visitors can also meet Daleks, see an exhibition of the changing faces of the Cybermen – who first appeared 50 years ago – meet the Cyber Legion and visit the TARDIS.

Space Centre spokeswoman Malika Andress, said: "Science of the Time Lords is now in its third year and we have even more of the Doctor's deadliest foes joining us for a 50th anniversary of the Cybermen.

"Due to a malfunction in the chameleon circuit, we have not one, but two TARDIS arriving, as well as a complete timeline exhibition of all the costumes worn over the last 50 years by the Cybermen.

"We will be looking at the science behind the Time Lords with talks, demonstrations, shows and even a special questions and answer session with the Daleks."