Lucy Hawking

Lucy Hawking
Name	Lucy Hawking
Birth date	2 November 1970
Birth place	London, England
Occupation	Journalist, Author, Educator
Nationality	British
Alma mater	University of Oxford
Parents	Stephen Hawking, Jane Wilde Hawking

Lucy Hawking. A British journalist, author, and science educator, she is widely recognized for her work in making complex scientific concepts accessible to young audiences. The daughter of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and author Jane Wilde Hawking, she has carved a distinct career through her writing and public engagement. Her most notable contributions are the co-authorship of the "George" series of children's science adventure books, created in collaboration with her father.

Early life and education

Lucy Hawking was born in London and grew up in Cambridge, where her father was a fellow at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Her early life was marked by the increasing international fame of Stephen Hawking and the progressive nature of his motor neuron disease. She attended The Perse School in Cambridge before studying modern languages at University of Oxford. Her studies focused on French and Russian literature, providing a foundation in narrative and communication that would later inform her writing career. After graduating, she initially pursued journalism in New York City, writing for numerous publications including The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, and The Guardian.

Career

Hawking's career shifted significantly from journalism to science communication and fiction. Her pivotal project began in 2007 with the publication of George's Secret Key to the Universe, the first in a series of children's books co-written with her father and astrophysicist Christophe Galfard. These books weave adventure narratives with explanations of concepts like black holes and the Big Bang, featuring illustrations by Garrick Parsons and later scientific input from researchers at the California Institute of Technology. Beyond the "George" series, she has authored novels for adults, including Jaded and Run for Your Life. She has also served as a director for the Stephen Hawking Foundation, which supports cosmology research and motor neuron disease charities, and has been a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge's Centre for Theoretical Cosmology.

Personal life

Lucy Hawking is the daughter of Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde Hawking, and has two brothers, Robert Hawking and Timothy Hawking. She was married to journalist Alex Mackenzie Smith, with whom she has a son. The family dynamics, particularly the challenges and triumphs of life with her father's condition, were later dramatized in the Academy Award-winning film The Theory of Everything, based on Jane's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. Hawking has been an advocate for various charitable causes, including those related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and scientific literacy.

Publications

Her publications prominently feature the "George" series, which includes titles such as George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt and George and the Big Bang. These books have been translated into over 40 languages and are celebrated for their integration of real science from leading figures like Kip Thorne. Her adult fiction includes the novel Jaded, a satire of London media life. She has also contributed to and edited several anthologies and collections focused on science and society, often participating in projects with institutions like the Royal Society.

Media appearances and public engagement

Hawking is a frequent speaker and moderator at major science and literary festivals worldwide, including the Cheltenham Science Festival and the Hay Festival. She has given talks at prestigious venues such as the Royal Institution and the Sydney Opera House. Her television and radio appearances include programs on BBC Radio 4 and documentaries for the BBC concerning her father's life and work. She has also been involved in producing and presenting content for the European Space Agency and has participated in panel discussions at events like the Starmus Festival in Tenerife.

Awards and recognition

While not a recipient of major literary prizes herself, the "George" series co-authored by Lucy Hawking has received widespread acclaim for its educational value. She was awarded an honorary fellowship from Goldsmiths, University of London. Her work has been recognized by scientific and educational bodies for successfully engaging children with astrophysics and cosmology. In 2021, she was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in acknowledgment of her contributions to science communication.

Category:British journalists Category:British science writers Category:English children's writers Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford Category:People from London Category:People from Cambridge