What is it about Quantum that resonates with the complex sense of self? How have writers explored the topics of quantum physics and identity?

Studio Quantum Artist-in-Residence Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan has been exploring this topic through the medium of poetry during her Goethe-Institut residency at Science Gallery London. To celebrate the end of the residency, she has invited writer and political activist lisa luxx and Director of King’s Quantum Dr James Millen to join her for an evening of poetry, performances and discussions.

Further speakers to be announced.

Current Speakers

Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan is an Indian-Irish writer, performer, and cultural consultant. Her work has been published by Dedalus Press, Little Island, Banshee, Stinging Fly, Poetry Ireland, and others. Chandrika participated in Science Gallery Dublin’s Rapid Residency 2021 and was the Institute of Physics Writer in Residence in 2023. One of her area of interest is communicating science through poetry, in particular investigating the intersection of technology, neurodivergence, and migrant identity.

lisa minerva luxx* is a British-Syrian writer and political activist. Their poetry, essays and fiction have been published internationally including by Poetry Review, Telegraph, New England Review, BBC Radio 4 and their short film ‘Lesbian.’ was produced by Channel 4. In 2021 their debut collection, Fetch Your Mother’s Heart received critical acclaim. They are a platinum award-winning lyricist with Maison Arts, LA. They have written three verse plays including what the dog said to the harvest which premiered at Southbank Centre. In 2025 their short story collection, Raising Sun Son, is set for release by Comma Press. They believe in transnational community organising and grassroots action as a means of liberation.

James Millen is a Lecturer in Advanced Photonics at King’s College London. From 2015 – 2018 he was a Marie Curie Research Fellow in the Quantum Nanophysics Group at the University of Vienna, working on the manipulation and cooling of nanoscale objects, with the goal of controlling them on the quantum level. In 2017 he was awarded the Institute of Physics’ Bates’ Prize, for his contributions to optomechanics. He is an editor at the Journal of Physics Communications, an Institute of Physics journal dedicated to the rapid dissemination of research based on quality, not impact. 

Studio Quantum is an international events and artist-in-residence programme from the Goethe-Institut, exploring emerging quantum technologies through the lens of art. The Studio Quantum residency programme and accompanying event series connects artists and audiences with partners in technology, culture, science and education to foster an open dialogue on the topic of quantum technologies and the arts. Studio Quantum launched last year with four successful artist residencies. In 2024, eight residencies and an accompanying events series will take place in Dublin, Johannesburg, Lagos, Mexico City, Karlsruhe, Rotterdam, Bangalore and London.

*name decapitalised intentionally