The Chemist's Comedy Club: How to Make STEM Funny—and Go Viral Doing It
Imagine a world where scientists and engineers are the stars of comedy clubs, regaling audiences with jokes about molecular structures and algorithmic glitches. Sounds absurd? Not for Freya McGhee, a former chemistry student turned stand-up comedian who has made a name for herself by poking fun at the very field that once left her floundering.
McGhee's journey from lab to stage is a testament to the power of creativity and self-deprecation in STEM education. With over 4 million views on Instagram, her stand-up sets have become a sensation, tackling topics like the perils of academic research, the absurdity of scientific jargon, and the struggles of balancing work and life as a scientist.
We caught up with McGhee at her London home to talk about what it takes to make STEM funny. As we sipped tea in her cozy living room, surrounded by science textbooks and comedy scripts, she shared the story of how she went from being a chemistry student on the brink of disaster to becoming a viral sensation.
The Chemistry Nightmare
"I was like, 'I don't know what to do anymore,'" McGhee recalls, chuckling wryly. "I felt like if someone else did it, they might get further along with it, but for me, it definitely didn't work." Her thesis dissertation, a complex project on single-molecule magnets, had flopped spectacularly. The results were inconclusive, and she was left feeling defeated.
But McGhee's passion for science never wavered. She had always loved learning about chemistry as a kid, and her interest in the subject only grew stronger during her university years. However, as she delved deeper into research, she began to realize that applying scientific concepts wasn't quite her forte. "I liked learning science more than I liked doing it," she admits.
From Lab to Stage
It was during this tumultuous period that McGhee discovered stand-up comedy. She enrolled in a class at the University of Brighton and, much to her surprise, found that making people laugh came naturally. The transition from lab coat to mic wasn't seamless, but McGhee's quick wit and sharp observations about science soon won over audiences.
Her breakthrough moment came when she tackled the topic of academic research in a stand-up set. "I started talking about how scientists are always saying things like 'We've made a groundbreaking discovery!' when really it's just some guy who's been staring at a graph for three days," McGhee says, laughing. The joke resonated with her audience, and soon she was fielding requests to perform at science festivals and comedy clubs.
The Science of Comedy
So what makes STEM subjects ripe for comedy? According to McGhee, it's the inherent absurdity of scientific jargon and the tendency for scientists to take themselves too seriously. "Science is full of ridiculous words like 'synergistic' and 'paradigmatic,'" she says with a grin. "It's just begging to be poked fun at."
But making STEM funny isn't just about mocking science; it's also about highlighting its relevance to everyday life. McGhee's comedy often touches on the human side of scientific research, from the struggles of balancing work and family to the ethics of emerging technologies.
The Future of STEM Comedy
As we wrap up our conversation, McGhee reflects on the impact she hopes her comedy will have on the scientific community. "I want to show people that science doesn't have to be boring or intimidating," she says. "It can be funny, relatable, and even sexy."
With her viral success and growing popularity, McGhee is poised to become a leading figure in STEM comedy. Her message of self-deprecation and creativity is inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers to find their inner comedian.
As we part ways, I ask McGhee what's next for her. Will she continue to make waves in the world of stand-up, or will she return to academia? The answer is clear: "I'm going to keep making people laugh about science," she says with a smile. "And who knows? Maybe one day we'll have our own comedy club for scientists."
The Chemist's Comedy Club may be a fictional concept, but Freya McGhee's journey proves that with creativity and humor, even the most complex subjects can become accessible and entertaining. Who knows what other STEM comedians are out there waiting to be discovered?
*Based on reporting by Wired.*
