What is the Comedy Research Project?
The Comedy Research Project aims to prove the hypothesis that science can be funny. Preliminary data suggests that their hypothesis may be true.

Who are the Researchers?
Dr. Helen Pilcher, a freelance scientist, and Timandra Harkness, a freelance science writer. They first met in a seedy, smoke-filled room behind a pub while performing stand up comedy, and were very surprised to be reunited at the Royal Society, at a meeting on stem cell research.

Do their methods stand up to scientific scrutiny?
During each show a control audience is locked in an identical, adjoining room without comedians. The Comedy Research Project then assesses whether this audience has laughed more or less than the experimental audience. The CRP audience is not, however, protected by Home Office animal welfare regulations.

What is a typical audience? Do you have to be a bit of a nerd to understand the jokes?
To date, the Comedy Research Project has successfully induced laughter at stand up comedy clubs, science festivals, private events for science-savvy audiences, and science events for teenagers. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is assumed.

Just how funny can a show about nitric oxide and multiverse theory actually be?
"A lot funnier than you'd expect. They give you the scientific proof that Elvis discovered relativity and Einstein wrote 'Jailhouse Rock'. I laughed until my lachrymal glands overproduced and I suffered an intercostal rupture." Toby Murcott, Editor Einstein TV.
"This is just what science needs." Fran Lowery, Radiographer.