|
Free Public Lecture Series, Autumn 2009 |
|
“‘What’s in a Name? -Taxonomy and Biodiversity’ ” Saving our Experts from Extinction |
|
Birkbeck, in conjunction with the |
|
Linnean Society & Ecology and Conservation Studies Society |
This series of lectures focuses on the importance of being able to define and identify the natural world with examples of the need and uses of giving species a name, and organising them into systems of classification.
The introductory overview will review uncertainty in the numbers of species on Earth and their extinction rates, and survey how resulting problems can be addressed for effective conservation action. Following lectures will highlight the importance of taxonomy to fungi, forensics, invertebrates, and control of illegal use of endangered species. In the final session a panel of experts will review how the next generation of naturalists can be inspired and discuss how to encourage more people to enter the field of taxonomy, where there is a critical shortage.
Join the debate. All welcome. Free admission but booking essential.
The venue on 16 October is the John Snow Lecture Theatre London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppell Street. For all other dates the venue is Room B04, Birkbeck University of London, 43 Gordon Square.
Email: environmentevents@FLL.bbk.ac.uk for booking details, or telephone 020 631 6473.
All lectures are from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm on the following Fridays. Doors open at 6.00pm.
- 16 October 'Taxonomy, Systematics and Conservation Biology'
Professor Lord Robert May of Oxford, past President of the Royal Society
- 23 October 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind: our lives depend on the hidden kingdom – Fungi'
Professor Lynne Boddy, President of the British Mycological Society
- 30 October 'Control of Illegal Use of Endangered Species and Incorrectly Identified Species'
Professor Monique Simmonds, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- 6 November 'Botany, palynology, and mycology: powerful weapons in the forensic armoury'
Patricia Wiltshire, Forensic Ecologist
- 13 November 'Taxonomy, Natural History and the Digital World'
Dr Malcolm J. Scoble, Keeper of Entomology, Natural History Museum
- 20 November Panel Presentation and Discussion: 'Inspiring New Naturalists and Taxonomists'
Working with Children: Gail Bromley, Education Development Manager, RBG, Kew
Higher Education: David Streeter MBE, Reader in Ecology, University of Sussex
Professional Taxonomy: Dr Mike Fay, Head of Genetics, Jodrell Laboratory, RBG, Kew
Download Taxonomy and Biodiversity 2009 Lectures Brochure (from the Birkbeck website).
The Linnean Society of London and the Ecology and Conservation Studies Society both welcome new members. Details of the Societies and application forms will be available at the door, and online.
Find out more about the Lecture Series and our Lecture Series Archive.
