AWARD-winning Richard Dawkins joins the bill at the bluedot Festival this summer for a special talk entitled Science In The Soul.

Although the festival, which runs from July 19 to 22, boasts an impressive musical line-up, including headliners The Chemical Brothers, The Flaming Lips, Future Islands and The Blue Planet In Concert with The Hallé, Jodrell Bank Observatory will also play host to some of the biggest names in science.

This year’s Dot Talks explore quantum mechanics, the search for extraterrestrials, black holes, cyborgs, solar flares, climate change, the invisible universe, Doctor Who and beyond.

Regarded as one of the greatest and most controversial thinkers of his time, evolutionist and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins continues to challenge society’s views on religion.

His 14 books include the bestsellers The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene, which was voted as the most inspirational science book of all time last year.

His latest book, Science in the Soul, will form the basis of his talk at the bluedot festival.

Also joining the lineup is Erica Wagner, who will bring to life her book Chief Engineer: How To Build the Brooklyn Bridge which was named one of Amazon’s Best Science Books of 2017.

Daniel M Davis will discuss ‘The Beautiful Cure: Harnessing Your Body's Natural Defenses’ (which has been shortlisted for several awards), exploring discoveries about the immune system, while James Thompson will talk around ‘Art in Place of War: Creative Responses to Conflict Around the World’.

Also added to the Science and Culture line-up are Jim Wild, Richard Betts, Mike Garrett, Tim Allcock & Rachel Platonov, Jon Copley, Monica Grady, Richard Battye, Kevin Warwick, Philippa Browning, Rene Breton, Paul Vanezis, Peter Crocker, Steve Roberts, Julia Steinberger and Anna Scaife.

They join a host of names including author and broadcaster Dallas Campbell, Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics Tim O’Brien, Tamsin Edwards (lecturer in Physical Geography at King’s College London), writer and broadcaster Alice Roberts and Alice Eldridge (cellist, researcher and educator who brings her ‘Learning to Listen to Biodiversity’ to bluedot this year).

Also on the bill is Professor of Immunology at the University of Manchester Dr Sheena Cruickshank, physicist and engineer Libby Jackson, biologist and conservationist Professor Dave Goulson Suzie Imber – the winner of BBC2’s ‘Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?’ and astronomer Stephen Wilkins.

In the shadow of the Lovell Telescope, bluedot will explore the latest scientific discoveries from outer space and our planet.

There will be talks from world-class scientists and thinkers, discussion of key issues such as climate change and the exploration of space, combined with an opportunity to ask the Big Questions of leading researchers.

All backed up by a full family-friendly programme of hands-on science experiments and interactive shows.

Full weekend camping tickets are on sale and start from £169 outright cost or a £43.50 payment plan. Boutique camping offers a selection of luxury accommodation options for those who prefer an extra touch of comfort.

The full bluedot programme will be announced in the coming months. For more information and to buy tickets, visit discoverthebluedot.com