A new drama to be broadcast today on Radio 4 draws on the expertise and insights of University of Liverpool Professor of Climate Impacts, Andy Morse.
The Mosquito is a new satire from award winning writer Anita Sullivan. Set at a fictional COP (Conference of the Parties) in Paris, the drama centres around a talking mosquito, a British cabinet minister and the transmission of dengue virus.
Professor Morse’s input to the programme began was initiated by OKRE (Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment), an organisation funded through Wellcome to connect the entertainment industry with academic researchers.
The production team involved script writer Anita Sullivan, BBC Producer John Norton, Professor Andy Morse from the University’s School of Environmental Sciences and Omnia El Omrani, a Climate and Health Policy Fellow with Imperial College London.
They began working together a year ago and went through several competitive rounds before the play was commissioned.
Professor Morse’s research expertise focuses on applying current weather and climate forecast information for humanitarian well being through the use of application models and methodologies.
On contributing to the new Radio 4 drama, Professor Morse said: “Being part of the process was an amazing experience and understanding how much work goes into producing a script was eye opening. I am delighted that the play is being broadcast on Radio 4 and during COP 29 which has climate change and health as its theme.”
The Mosquito stars Robert Bathurst, Laila Alj and Audrey Brisson and will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 2.15pm today (Tuesday, 12th November) BBC Radio 4 – Drama on 4, The Mosquito