Magician performing trick

If we asked you to imagine a magician’s place of work, it is unlikely you’d picture Imperial College London, a centre for science, research and education in engineering, medicine and business. However, that is exactly where Dr Will Houstoun does work, using his knowledge of conjuring to help surgeons, medics and students think about what they do and develop new skills.

In this Day in the Life event Will will offer a peek behind the curtain into the traditionally secretive world of conjuring, and share some the surprising ways he is using his skills and knowledge. And if you join us, you may even get to see a piece of magic performed live for you!

Will has a Masters degree in engineering and a PhD that explored a Victorian author’s approach to teaching people magic. He currently works exploring the ways in which conjuring can be used as a tool in a variety of non-performance contexts. Whether working with medical researchers and students at Imperial, young people with physical disabilities, or actors in West End productions and Hollywood films, Will has found that the skills and approach of the magician can be usefully applied in surprising and innovative ways.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

The Great Exhibition Road Festival is a free annual celebration of curiosity, discovery and exploration. Join us as Exhibition Road is transformed with events and activities from over 20 research and culture organisations around South Kensington including Imperial College London, Royal Commission of 1851, Discover South Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, V&A, Science Museum, Royal College of Music, Natural History Museum and many more.

This event is part of the Festival’s new online events programme, celebrating science and the arts from your home.

See all our upcoming events on the Festival website

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