“Harnessing a sharp comedy sensibility to an arsenal of fascinating facts, she’s a treat for anyone who matches a sense of humour with an inquiring mind”
Helen is an award winning performer and popular-science writer. A regular, distinctive voice on BBC Radio 4, her debut show, It Is Rocket Science, won numerous accolades. Helen's innovative and quirky approach to matters factual has enjoyed rave reviews from critics and the public alike. Some career highlights include compering the first live comedy night at CERN, touring with Brian Cox and Robin Ince, having an episode of National Geographic's StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson devoted to her work on pop culture and science, and being appointed as an Innovation Fellow by WIRED magazine in recognition of her original, influential blend of science and comedy.
“factually accurate but funny”
BBC RADIO 4 AND PODCASTS
Comedy
Helen created, co-wrote (with Miriam Underhill) and presented two major Radio 4 series. It Is Rocket Science (3 series: 12 episodes) took a comic, and scientifically-accurate, look at space exploration. Big Problems With Helen Keen (2 series: 8 episodes) examined how technology can help tackle humanity's greatest challenges.
This work attracted various accolades, including being runner up in the Sir Arthur Clarke Space Achievement Media Award, and winner of the Women in Science and Engineering Media Award and the Association of British Science Writers' Royal Society Radio Prize.
“...a sort of stand up version of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
Documentaries
Helen's Radio 4's documentary debut, Finding Your Voice, dealt with selective mutism. The programme held gain widespread media coverage for this challenging condition and was a runner up in the MIND Media Awards.
In The Far Future, Helen interviewed people who prepare for the distant future by asking the question: If society ends, how can be pass our information and wisdom on to our distant descendants?
“a delicate and lovely programme”
Podcasts
The UK Space Agency commissioned Helen to present and produce podcasts featuring interviews with astronauts including Helen Sharman and Chris Hadfield and space professionals to celebrate Tim Peake's first voyage to the International Space Station.
“Her welcome new comedy series... ambitious... tender”
PHD RESEARCH AND RELATED WORK
In September 2019 I started studying for a PhD at the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health, University of Exeter. I was diagnosed as an adult with mild ASC and I'm working with other autistic people via an 'engaged research' process. My work focuses on how autistic people experience loneliness and connectedness to others; my research supervisors are Prof Manuela Barreto and Prof Kerrie Schaefer.
In August 2020 I was commissioned by BBC Radio 4 to make a one-off programme about autism diagnosis in adulthood, particularly as it relates to women, those assigned female at birth, and non-binary people. This was based on a series idea developed by me and Rami Tzabar. Producer Deborah Cohen and I spoke to autistic people who were diagnosed at different stages of adulthood to hear their stories of how the diagnostic process affected them, and how it could be improved for different underserved populations. I also interviewed autism researchers (some of whom are also autistic) about why a data gap exists when it comes to work with adults, and how the involvement of autistic people is changing the nature of autism research.
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BOOKS
In 2016 Helen wrote The Science of Game of Thrones (published by Coronet in the UK). Described as a myth-busting, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, fun-filled literary expedition through the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, it has since been translated into numerous languages,
The book formed the basis for an episode of National Geographic's television show StarTalk, with Helen joining host Neil deGrasse Tyson to discuss her work. Excerpts - including a discussion of wildfire - were adapted for TIME magazine.
Helen has also co-created live shows and panel discussions around the book, and presented these at several venues, including The Royal Institution, The Edinburgh International Science Festival and QEDCon,
“A breezy, funny, but thoroughly researched survey of fantastic wonders.
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“...the mad scientist’s guide to Westeros . . perfect for GoT fans”
LIVE WORK
Helen's debut show, It Is Rocket Science, previewed at the Buxton Fringe, was nominated as Best Show, and won the Best Individual Comedy Performer award. After a successful Edinburgh Fringe run, the show embarked on a nationwide tour of festivals before being commissioned for BBC Radio 4.
Subsequently Helen has created several inventive solo comedy shows. Mixing science, history and personal experience on diverse topics such as 19th Century Arctic exploration, and the future of robots, she has performed sets based on these shows at venues ranging from European Space Agency to the Natural History Museum to the Hammersmith Apollo. Helen was appointed the UK's first Comedian in Residence at a scientific institution (Newcastle's LIFE), where she co-produced and compered 10 sell-out shows featuring academics from a wide variety of disciplines, and recorded possibly the world's first planetarium show with jokes in. She continues to develop innovative, pioneering performance ideas.
“***** Perfect... highly intelligent, accessible stand-up” ”
CORPORATE WORK
Helen creates and curates events, produces bespoke presentations, and delivers entertaining lectures for companies, agencies, and organisations across the arts and scientific sectors, in the UK and internationally.
“totally engaging manner... educational, informative, surprising and great fun ... received a universal positive response”
“Keen strikes the perfect balance between presenting potentially dull facts and keeping the comic pace going”
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