Libsyn Directory

Cat Irving - Human Remains Conservator

Release Date: 01/26/2022

Jack Baddams - Ornithologist + Wildlife Researcher

Specimens

In episode 047 Elle chats with Jack Baddams: Ornithologist and Wildlife Researcher whose field work is focused on the tagging of different species of birds to learn more about their lives. He shares this work on social media where he talks about the birds he rings and shows off the diversity of the natural world. Socials: Jack's Podcast 'Arrow Stork' Operation Wallacea British Ornithology Organisation Springwatch/Winterwatch- BBC Support Jack Elle Kaye socials Podcast socials wwww.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy Artwork © 2021 Madison Erin Mayfield Music Giraffes - Harrison...

Dr. Matthew Kasson - Mycologist + Plant Pathologist

Specimens

In episode 046 Elle chats with Dr. Matthew Kasson: Mycologist and Plant Pathologist who studies fungus biodiversity centered around tree diseases and fungus-arthropod interactions. Socials: Research, Sci-Comm and related press and media: Online media, Nightmare-fuel fungi exist in real life, Popular Science (PopSci) . Single author piece on the real-life fungal threats we face given all the attention fungi are getting from HBO’s The Last of Us. Feb. 3, 2023. Online media, How to keep your jack-o’-lantern from turning into moldy, maggoty mush before Halloween, The...

Jazmine Miles-Long - Taxidermist

Specimens

In episode 045 Elle chats with Jazmine Miles-Long; Taxidermist, Artist, Educator and Natural History Restorer based in Hastings UK. Jazmine calls herself an ‘ethical’ taxidermist to describe the way she produces work only using animals that have died from natural causes. Jazmine specialises in creating ethically sourced bespoke taxidermy for galleries and museums, promoting ethical practices and delivering lectures and workshops at various institutions. She aims to elevate taxidermy as a respected art form, shedding light on its scientific and cultural benefits, and also runs educational...

Dr. Samuel Mitchell - Volcanologist + Marine Geologist

Specimens

In episode 044 Elle chats with Dr. Samuel Mitchell, volcanologist, marine geologist and earth and ocean science communicator based at the University of Bristol, UK. His main research focuses on volcanic eruptions in our oceans, which has taken him across the world conducting field research on volcanoes on land and on the seafloor using oceanographic research vessels. Beyond academic interests, Samuel is an active science communicator across various social media platforms, podcast host, and chair of an international commission on submarine volcanism. Social media links Samuel's podcast and...

Leif Bersweden - Botanist, Author + Nature Communicator

Specimens

In episode 043 Elle chats with Leif Bersweden, botanist, author and nature communicator. Leif Bersweden is a writer and botanist with a lifelong interest in nature, focusing on wild plants from the age of seven. He grew up in rural Wiltshire where he taught himself how to identify the local flora, eventually becoming a botanical tutor for The Species Recovery Trust. In 2016, Leif graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biology and has completed a PhD at Kew Gardens. In a world where an interest in botany is becoming increasingly rare, he wants to help put plants back on the...

Sophie Pavelle - Science Communicator + Author

Specimens

In episode 042 Elle chats with Sophie Pavelle, science communicator and author. Sophie finds creative routes to storytelling, putting a contemporary twist on the natural history genre across wide audiences through her compelling science communication and candid approach. Sophie currently works as Communications Coordinator for Beaver Trust and presented their award-winning documentary . She is also an Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, and sits on the RSPB England Advisory Committee. Sophie co-hosts for...

Celina Chien - Intersectional Environmentalist + Visual Storyteller

Specimens

In episode 041 Elle chats with Celina Chien, intersectional environmentalist and storyteller. She combines her work as an ecologist, photojournalist and artist to harness empathy for change and to advocate for biodversity. Celina contextualises her work within the climate and biodiversity crises, whilst also discussing enviornmental and social issues. As a photographer, Celina’s documentary work has focused on exploring the nuances of environmental topics from palm oil expansion to the zoo debate to the wildlife trade. She also releases her work as fine art pieces, most recently after a...

Ben Rothery - Natural History Author + Illustrator

Specimens

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 040 Elle chats with Ben Rothery, natural history author and illustrator. He shares his journey of discovery, from growing up in South Africa to opening his art and plant haven 'Hidden Planet' in London. Ben discusses the pitfalls and postives of working across two genres -...

Tea Francis - Arachnologist

Specimens

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 039 Elle chats with Arachnologist Tea Francis. Tea is a science communicator, Arachnologist and spider advocate. Her work includes working actively with contacts in the field of arachnology and taxonomy - which is her main area of interest. She works with a handful of...

Aoife Sutton - Archaeology Researcher

Specimens

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 038 Elle chats with Archaeology Researcher Aoife Sutton. Aoife is a doctoral researcher in archaeology at the University of Bradford. Her work looks at themes surrounding 18-19th century anatomical fluid preserved specimens in Britain - including death, dying and...

More Episodes

TW: Death/Dying and Human Remains

In episode 030 Elle chats with Cat about her work caring for anatomical and pathological museum collections for nearly twenty years. She discusses the transition between working in Edinburgh City Mortuary and moving to England to further train in wet tissue collections to returning to Scotland to work with pathology specimens in Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh. We also discuss shifts in perceptions around death and dying, and what that has meant for Cat.

Cat Socials

https://thesewanderingbones.wordpress.com/contents/

https://twitter.com/AnatomicalCat

https://www.instagram.com/anatomicalcat/

Surgeons Hall

https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/

Hunterian Museum Glasgow

https://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/

Alder Hay Scandal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alder_Hey_organs_scandal

Authors Cat Mentions

Ian Rankin - https://www.ianrankin.net/