Episodes
Sunday Jul 08, 2018
Ep 53. Indigenous knowledge meets Farmer Brown with Harry White
Sunday Jul 08, 2018
Sunday Jul 08, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Harry White (LLS)
Australian landscapes have been changed drastically by agricultural practices brought here by European settlers. Some of these have had dramatic impacts on the health of ecosystems and the productivity of farms in Australian climates. One way of addressing these issues is to draw upon the expertise of Australia's Aboriginal people how have lived here for tens of thousands of years. In practice, however, this is easier said than done given the myriad of social and historical issues that continue to divide indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Harry White is a Gamilaraay elder that has spent much of his career working with indigenous communities throughout the Northern Tablelands Region of NSW. In his current role as Senior Land Services Officer for Local Land Services he works to bridge cultural and communication gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous communities to improve land management practices and provide employment, development and education opportunities for Indigenous communities.
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Ep 52. Truffle travel and primitive skills with Todd Elliot
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Monday Jun 25, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Todd Elliott (UNE)
Fungi are the unsung heroes of our natural world. Their incredible life histories make it possible for plants to grow animals to survive and are often incredibly important cultural resources. Mycologist and natural historian Todd Elliot is currently doing his PhD at the University of New England and is studying the dispersal of truffles throughout Eastern Australia.
In an interview with In Situ Science Todd talks with us about the importance of fungi as a food source and integral part of the ecosystem. He also tells us about the work he does to raise awareness of primitive skills and the importance of reconnecting with nature.
To find out more check out Todd's Website
Follow Todd on Twitter @toddfelliott1
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Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Ep 51. Leaky pipelines and chytrid fungus with Deborah Bower
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Deborah Bower (UNE)
Amphibian populations across the globe have been declining rapidly, and the most dangerous contributor to this is the chytrid fungus; a skin disease that affects frogs and salamanders. Dr Deborah Bower from the University of New England says that if we want to have any chance of saving these species then we need to conserve as much of their native habitat as possible.
In an interview with In Situ Science, Deborah chats with us about how ever expanding urban developments destroy native habitat, and asks whether we can design better cities to help our native animals. We also chat about the ‘leaky pipeline’ problem of science careers and our shared dreams of running away to become science fiction writers.
Follow Deborah Bower on twitter @deborah_bower
Visit her research website at www.deborahbower.wordpress.com
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Ep 50. Creativity, flexibility and exploration with James O'Hanlon
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Tuesday May 29, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: James O’Hanlon (UNE)
The tables have turned this episode as the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Siobhan Dennison puts In Situ Science host James O’Hanlon under the microscope to find out more about what he does and why he does it. James O’Hanlon is a behavioural ecologist from the University of New England that has a passion for studying poorly understood creatures and exploring the unknown.
In this interview James takes us through how a childhood passion for art and design led him unexpectedly to a career in scientific research, that he quickly left in a huff, before returning to it again with a new focus on science outreach and communication. He also chats about how science is actually a very creative pursuit that requires equal parts inspiration, flexibility and simply being able to count.
Follow James on Twitter @jamohanlon
Visit James’ research website at www.jamesohanlonresearch.wordpress.com
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Monday May 14, 2018
Ep 49. Peacock spiders and citizen science with Stuart Harris
Monday May 14, 2018
Monday May 14, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Stuart Harris
In the summer of 2008 Stuart Harris was out bushwalking when he spotted a small colourful spider. He decided to take a photo and put it up online on his flickr account. Little did he know that this was a peacock spider that was previously unknown to science. This marked the beginning of a long adventure for Stuart, along with a number of passionate arachnologists and explorers, that have discovered and documented numerous new peacock spider species.
Stuart Harris is now a spokesperson for citizen science and natural history with a career path worthy of an award winning documentary. The film Maratus chronicles Stuarts adventure and explores the interface of science discovery with our daily lives. In this interview with In Situ Science, Stuart discusses the impact that these discoveries, and the film, have had on his life and career.
Watch Maratus online here
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Monday Apr 30, 2018
Ep 48. Soil microbes and healthy farming with Maarten Stapper
Monday Apr 30, 2018
Monday Apr 30, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Maarten Stapper (BioLogic AgFood)
How do you know if you have healthy soil? Look for worms! Dr Maarten Stapper joins us on In Situ Science to chat about how caring for soils and healthy ecosystems can improve our farming practices. Unfortunately modern farming practices, including livestock grazing, pesticide use and synthetic fertilizer use, can actually harm our crops more than they help them.
Dr Maarten Stapper now runs his own agricultural consultancy that helps farmers transition towards organic farming practices whilst maintaining their productivity. He believes very strongly in the role of organic farming, not only for improving our environment, but also human health. Martin also talks openly about the industries behind science and farming that may be actually hindering progress in agricultural research.
Find out more on Maartin's company website BioLogic AgFood
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Sunday Apr 15, 2018
Ep 47. Sexy siestas and shooting for the stars with Dr Karl
Sunday Apr 15, 2018
Sunday Apr 15, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is perhaps Australia’s most prolific and well known science communicator. He has written over 43 books, and has appeared regularly on on national radio for over 30 years. In an interview with In Situ Science we chat about the immense amount of research and hard work that goes in to building up Dr Karl’s broad range of expertise.
We then delve into his mind and chat about everything from the science behind what makes people attractive and why world peace can lead to economic inequality. We also get some sneak peeks into his upcoming book and what a day in the life of Dr Karl is like. His latest book Karl the Universe and Everything covers topics from the science behind artificial uteruses to the search for life on other planets.
Vist Dr Karl’s website at www.drkarl.com and follow him on Twitter @doctorkarl
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Sunday Apr 01, 2018
Ep 46. Eurovision, cake and ant-mimicking spiders with Mariella Herberstein
Sunday Apr 01, 2018
Sunday Apr 01, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Mariella Herberstein (MQ)
‘There are many Maries out there… But there’s only one Mariella, and thats me.’
- Mariella Herberstein
In addition to her research Mariella Herberstein is well known for her role as a mentor to emerging scientists in biological sciences. In an interview with In Situ Science she discusses how important a collegiate and positive research environment is to making good science happen.
She also tells us about her current research projects in the mysterious lives of spiders. Currently she is working with a team of researchers to understand why and how some spiders mimic ants. She also really likes Eurovision...
Follow Mariella on Twitter @MarieHerberstei
Find out more about her research on the Behavioural Ecology Group website.
Keep up to date with the latest Eurovision gossip at http://www.thescienceofeurovision.website
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Music: ‘Strange Stuff’ by Sonic Wallpaper - www.sonicwallpaper.bandcamp.com
Sunday Mar 18, 2018
Ep 45. Wing Threads: Flight to the Tundra with Milly Formby
Sunday Mar 18, 2018
Sunday Mar 18, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST: Milly Formby (Wing Threads)
To raise awareness for shorebird conservation, zoologist and illustrator Milly Formby has formed an epic plan; she will circumnavigate Australia in a microlight aircraft. This journey is roughly the same length as one of the worlds most important seabird migration routes, the East Asian-Australian Flyway.
Milly is a multi-talented scientist, artist, and explorer. After beginner her career in visual arts as a tapestry weaver, she made the career transition to become a research scientist. In an interview with In Situ Science, Milly Formby describes the life changing moments that led her to directing her whole life towards the pursuit of this new goal. Find out more about Milly's journey and donate to support her cause at www.wingthreads.com
Also check out Milly's artwork and online store at www.millyformby.com
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Monday Mar 05, 2018
Monday Mar 05, 2018
“Born too late to explore the earth. Born too early to explore the stars”
- Anonymous
Modern scientists often have the strange feeling that they have been born in the wrong era; that they are the ‘middle children’ of history. They read enviously about the exploits of explorers past, sailing boldly into uncharted waters, and worry that they may never be able to undertake those same legendary journeys. But the truth is that scientists are explorers everyday; they explore the uncharted waters at the boundary of human knowledge. By studying the phenomena that occur all around us every day they are uncovering more and more information about the building blocks of our universe.
Dr Matthew Bulbert (AKA Dr Bulby) is a behavioural ecologist from Macquarie University with an insatiable desire for exploration. In an interview with In Situ Science he recounts his journeys throughout Papua New Guinea, Africa and Australia in search of rare and poorly understood animals. He explores new paradigms in biology by describing and studying animal behaviours that have never been studied before.
Find out more about his research through his lab’s website www.conflictecology.com or follow him on Twitter @MBulbert
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