Linnean Podcasts

In the last few decades a revolution has been brewing in zoology and evolutionary biology. Lucy Cooke introduces us to a riotous cast of animals, and the scientists studying them, that are redefining the female of the species. The bitches in her book titled "Bitch" overturn outdated binary expectations of bodies, brains, biology and behaviour. Lucy Cooke's brilliant new book will change how you think - about sex, sexual identity and sexuality in animals and also the very forces that shape evolution. Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Interviewer: Ayesha Meredith-Lewis Speaker: Lucy Cooke

Soon nothing will be untouched by the exponential growth of AI technology. It is no surprise that museum collections and biological research has already incorporated these new advancements. So, what does it mean for our interpretation of large data and might we learn something new that was not possible before such technology existed? Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Dr. Nicolas Gauthier

The increase in demand for electric vehicles has caused an increased demand for the metals needed to produced lithium-ion batteries used in these vehicles. The extraction of these metals has caused devastating damage to the natural world on a global scale. But what if we could extract metal from the ground without ruining the natural world and polluting our planet? In this podcast we explore this possibility. Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Dr. Antony van der Ent

Do you wake up to early morning Twitter? Not the app that interrupts your sleep and haunts your dreams but the sweet dulcet tones of summer birds. Birdsong, the background score that heralds tropical jungles, urban parks and gardens, and wilderness. This episode will take you to the land of the vividly coloured and luminescent sunbirds in Wallacea. But do all birds sing? Not all. This may seem unbelievable but only some birds have the anatomy to enable them to do so. In this podcast Fionn Ó Marcaigh from Trinity College Dublin takes us on a journey through the melodies of songbirds. Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Fionn Ó Marcaigh Want to know more? Read more about this Finding sunbird species in Wallacea

So much has been lost; so little remains. Few people realise that Britain harbours fragments of a globally rare habitat: temperate rainforest. This is the extraordinary tale of Guy Shrubsoles' quest to find Britain's lost rainforests – and bring them back. Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Guy Shrubsole Want to learn more about forests? Why not attend our lecture "(Hybrid) How Ancient Forests Can Save Us if We Let Them" Book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hybrid-how-ancient-forests-can-save-us-if-we-let-them-tickets-536059527477?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

The redistribution of "alien species" around the world accelerated with European colonialism. European powers were responsible for the deliberate and accidental transportation, introduction, and establishment of alien species throughout their occupied territories, and the metropolitan state. These activities left a lasting imprint on the global distribution of alien plants. The language we use today to identify, understand and communicate local ecology is often peppered with terms like 'invasives', 'aliens', 'natives'. But are there the right words, and connotations? Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Dr. Mark Spencer Want to find out more? Why not attend our lecture "The Impact of European Colonialism on Global Plant Redistribution" Book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-impact-of-european-colonialism-on-global-plant-redistribution-tickets-522649527807

In the last few decades a revolution has been brewing in zoology and evolutionary biology. Lucy Cooke introduces us to a riotous cast of animals, and the scientists studying them, that are redefining the female of the species. The bitches in her book titled "Bitch" overturn outdated binary expectations of bodies, brains, biology and behaviour. Lucy Cooke's brilliant new book will change how you think - about sex, sexual identity and sexuality in animals and also the very forces that shape evolution. Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Interviewer: Ayesha Meredith-Lewis Speaker: Lucy Cooke

Predators that hunt dangerous prey require specialized predatory tactics to avoid counter-attack. Usually, these predatory tactics reduce the probability of detection. The assassin bugs Stenolemus bituberus and S. giraffa rely on stealth or mimicry to prey on dangerous web-building spiders. Paradoxically, however, these assassin bugs tap the spiders with their antennae prior to attacking, leaving the bugs vulnerable to detection and counter-attack. Interviewer and producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Anne Wignall

Jared diamond's latest book upheaval discusses "How Nations Cope With Crisis And Change". These individual nations stories act as evidence of how crises can be overcome and stand as evidence for how we might seek to resolve global issues, such as climate change. Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Jared diamond

Look up - is there anything harder than trying to pin down a cloud? But a young chemist and future metereologist did the very exact thing - he categorised clouds for the world. His name was Luke Howard (1772-1864). Through out his life, Howard, a quaker and self-taught naturalist, gazed at clouds - his cloud taxonomy still holds strong today for the millions of cloud lovers around the world. Padma speaks with science historian and lecturer Dr Richard Hamblyn (Birkbeck University), who also wrote 'The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies', about Howard, the history of cloud taxonomy, and how clouds continue to hold centrestage in our imagination. This episode is a special release to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Howard's birth. There is a dedicated and enthusiastic group of cloud lovers in Tottenham (https://www.tottenhamclouds.org.uk/) that is celebrating by launching the Lordship Recreation Ground as the first official "Cloud Appreciation Park" in London. Enjoy the sky! Director and Interviewer: Padma Ghosh Speaker: Dr Richard Hamblyn Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

We are currently living through an energy crises, but what actually is an energy crises? What does it mean for our future? and what is being done to help us get through it? We speak with researcher, activist and climate change communicator, Peter Harper, who has spent his entire life thinking about these questions. We also speak with Elree Winnett Seelig, who is a Managing Director and Head of Environmental, Social and Governance for Citi's Markets business, to understand what is currently being done and what still could be done to resolve this crises. To go deeper into this conversation watch our panel discussion here: https://youtu.be/58rnM-BuqCo Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Speakers: Elree Winnett and Peter Harper

Owls have evolved sensitive hearing facilitated by a facial disc, and flight that is quieted in part by a leading-edge comb on their wing. This comb is a series of modified barbs, or serrations, which project up from the outermost primary feathers on the leading edge of the wing. Here we explore the evolution of comb and facial disc morphology. Speaker: Christopher J. Clark Interviewer and Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

The specimen, nicknamed “Dolly”, was discovered in southwest Montana, USA, and dates back to the Late Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era (approximately 150 million years ago). This specimen may provide the first evidence of a unique respiratory infection in a dinosaur. In this podcast we dive deep into the dirt to discover the details of this dinosaur's sore throat. Speakers: Cary Woodruff Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

Two temporarily sited artworks by leading contemporary artists Ivan Morison and Heather Peak were unveiled on 19 August in Bristol. Overstory, a pair of site-specific suspended structures featuring microscopic imagery of trees, will hang above Broadmead highlighting the importance of urban tree cover. Overstory gives a view into the microscopic world of trees and asks visitors to celebrate and consider how they are folded into our lives through their presence around us, their functions within our shared ecosystems, the stories they tell, and the role we can all play in creating and protecting natural spaces in our cities. The artwork has been produced and curated by PONY, and commissioned with The Natural History Consortium, being delivered as one of the activities under the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority's Love our High Streets project. Ivan Morison and Heather Peak's previous works in Bristol include Black Cloud in 2009 and I lost her near Fantasy Island. Life has not been the Same in 2006. Trees have underscored the artists' practice for over 20 years, and the artwork's title is inspired by the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winning novel by ecological author Richard Powers; focusing on the deep importance of trees and the fight to preserve them. Although a work of fiction, the book delves into the science of trees and the realities of their endangered existence. Overstory encourages the public to look consciously at the trees around them, they may be surprised by what they see, and are naturally drawn towards. Visitors to Broadmead can learn how to create, protect, and explore woodlands and forests in the region; and are encouraged to venture outside this summer and discover the local parks, wildlife reserves, and older neighbourhoods to experience the diversity of native trees around Bristol and the stories they tell about the City.

Cosmo Sheldrake, a multi-instrumentalist musician, composer and producer brings us into a musical conversation with nature. In this podcast, we explore how sound and music is not only a vehicle for us to communicate stories about the natural world, but can in itself be a method of investigation. Cosmo also shares with us his journey with climate activism, how it has shaped him and his subject matter of music. This podcasts includes snippets of Cosmo's music, that he has kindly shared with us. He hopes that it will inspire you to listen more closely to the natural world and forge a greater connection to it and its needs. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This podcast series will bring you stories from around the world that explores how the impacts of climate change are woven into every aspect of our lives. Through out the series we will be meeting some of the amazing people who are studying these changes, its impacts and trying to find solutions to help reduce the impacts of our changing climate. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Cosmo Sheldrake Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

What do parasites see when they look at the world around them? And how is a changing climate modifying the environments they thrive in? As our climate shifts and changes, parasites too are on the move constantly looking for new hosts and new prospects. For parasites, it is the gold rush. We talk to Prof. Daniel Brooks about how climate change is expanding the reach of parasites and what options or tools we have to combat their impact us and ecosystems. As the COVID pandemic shows, there are many hidden ambushes waiting to happen. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Prof. Daniel Brooks Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

Climate change is already affecting our food security and will continue to do so for many years to come. Some have suggested that urban farming could be an actual viable alternative option to provide entire cities with enough food. Simply put, as things stand, this is probably not the case, but perhaps there are other reasons to consider it as a valuable practice. We enter this podcast with an open mind to all possible options as we talk with Chris Smaje, author of A Small Farm Future, who offers an alternative to urban agriculture that could prove to be helpful for Britons future food security. We also talk with Pamela Warhurst who argues that apart from sustenance, there are many other important reasons for us all to be involved with the growing of at least some of our food. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This podcast series will bring you stories from around the world that explores how the impacts of climate change are woven into every aspect of our lives. Through out the series we will be meeting some of the amazing people who are studying these changes, its impacts and trying to find solutions to help reduce the impacts of our changing climate. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Chris Smaje, Pamela Warhurst Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

Capitalism has woven itself into every thread of our lives, including how we value nature. Today, money is how we transact, how we live, how we prosper, and to think that capitalism as an idea is really not that old. And yet, it is judging the value of our planet and everything within it. Its magnetic hold over the planet means that it is now a global belief system, which has its hand deep within climate and ecological crises. In this podcast Mustafa Zaidi, who has spent three decades in the field of finance with experience from multiple angles - as advisor, asset manager, and an entrepreneur building a multi-billion dollar business, tackles how capital is the currency with which we are trading the natural world. We are also joined by Amoni Kitooke, Director and Deputy Director of the Cross Culture Foundation of Uganda, who provides us with a refreshing human-centred perspective of how we could value nature in a far more meaningful way.  The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Mustafa Zaidi, Amoni Kitooke Presenter: Padmaparna Ghosh Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

The impacts of climate change that are being felt around the world is a stark reminder that we are all connected. In this Linnean Future podcast, Prof. Tom Oliver, author of The Self Delusion: The surprising Science of How we are Connected and Why That Matters, explores how people, animals, plants and the planet we live on are all intimately linked, and that to resolve this confounding problem of severe climate change, we all need to be allies.  The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions.The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Dr. Tom Oliver  Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

Many of us are familiar with the biblical story of Noah's Ark, the wooden boat that preserved all life in Earth in ‘pairs'. Thanks to the floating rescue of all species in ‘reproductive twos', Noah was able to repopulate Earth. But that was a fable. Or was it? Many scientist have come to realise that we can no longer conserve many species of plants and animals in their natural habitats at the current rate of endangerment to their survival. So scientists have begun to create their own “arks”. In this podcast we speak with Prof. Mike Bruford and Dr. Elinor Breman about their “rescue boats”; and with Prof. Gretta Pecl about the great migration of animals as they too seek an ark in which they can survive. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Prof. Gretta Pecl, Prof. Mike Bruford, Dr. Elinor Breman Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

Climate change is rapidly altering ecosystems around the world. This is resulting in many species becoming maladapted to the ecosystems in which they evolved. How are organisms choosing their partners in such a rapidly changing world? Are the organisms able to predict what future ecosystem might be like? How would they do this, if they could? And, even if they could, would they be able to choose the “correct” mate accordingly? This Linnean Future podcast episode asks Carlos Botero, assistant professor of biology who specializes in ‘Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Extreme Environments', how various organisms might cope with and adapt to repeated environmental change. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Asst. Prof. Carlos Botero Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

One size can never fit all. So, is it fair that all countries should have Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050? And if they have to, what is the most just path for the whole world to achieve Net Zero in the 28 years? Join us as we discuss Net Zero 2050 with Prof. Navroz Dubash, who explores the complexities and specificities of different nations' global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and illustrates possibilities for innovation and collaboration within and between nations. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Prof. Navroz Dubash Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier Tags: Justice, Climate justice, Net Zero, Carbon Neutral

Hindsight is 20/20. In retrospect, we could have always done things better. But how does this play out in the case of climate change. Does our recorded history hold lessons for us? What and how did our ancestors do when faced with climatic changes and disasters? What can we learn? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Dagomar Degroot who takes us all the way back to 1560, bridging the humanities and sciences to explore how societies have suffered – sometimes thrived - in the face of environmental changes. The Linnean Future Podcast Series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. This series brings you stories from around the world that explore the impacts of climate change on every aspect of our lives. Through the series we will be meeting researchers, practitioners, activists, lawyers, and others who are studying these climatic changes, tracking their causes and impacts, and working on solutions. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Dr. Dagomar Degroot Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

About 20,000 heads of state, diplomats and activists will convene a critical conference in the Scottish city of Glasgow – popularly known as COP26 (Conference of the Parties). In our launch episode of our Linnean Future podcast series, we hash out the long history of climate negotiations with Prof. Mark Maslin. We chart the political journey of international environmental negotiations, the challenges that COP26 faces, and what it hopes to achieve. The Linnean Future podcast series is an initiative by The Linnean Society of London in response to the ongoing planetary emergency. Twelve episodes over twelve months will bring you stories from around the world that explore the wide-ranging impacts of climate change. Over the series, we will be bringing you vivid interviews, sharp opinions, current research and field science that we hope will help explain the complex and deeply intertwined relationship between us and the planet. The Linnean Society of London is committed to Net Zero (with offsets) by 2022 and reducing its carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Speakers: Prof. Mark Maslin Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Producer: Ross Ziegelmeier

For most of us we have never seen a sea snake or even perhaps heard of such a creature but in actual fact they are an incredibly diverse group of animals. Dr. Jenna Crowe-Riddell from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide is helping us to understand these mysterious creatures. With terrestrial environments being entirely different from marine based environments one of the first questions to be answered about these water dwelling snakes is, how do they sense their world? Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Dr. Jenna Crowe-Riddell

Why have whales evolved to have such incredibly large brains? This is a question that has puzzled researchers for a very long time. New research published in the Biological Journal of The Linnean Society has shed some new light on this question and perhaps got us a little closer to the answer. In this podcast we will hear from Matthew McCurry about this research, and dive a little deeper with Hal Whitehead, into some of the more complex behaviours of whales that have contributed to these incredible creatures large brains. Interviewer: Ross Ziegelmeier Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Prof. Hal Whitehead, Dr Matthew McCurry

Octopoda appear to be from another planet with their entirely unrelatable anatomy and way of being, yet, we are uncontrollably drawn to them. In this podcast we explore what makes them "human", why we relate to them and discover that they are far older than we might have ever previously thought. Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh, Ross Ziegelmeier Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Sy Montgomery, Dr. Adiël Klompmaker

Every month Padma, our Events and Communications Manager, will highlight a historical object, personality or quirky tale from our Collections as the "Pick of the Month" episode. The full stories can be found on our website in “News” section. We hope that these short narratives will serve as trailers to the longer essays that are meticulously researched put together by our Collections staff. This month Padma goes in search of Edmond Albius (1829–80), who ought to be remembered and honoured for his critical contribution to the production of vanilla - a plant many of us know, love and can't do without! Presenter: Padmaparna Ghosh Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

Lord Howe Island is a tiny dot in the Tasman Sea. But home to a curious bunch of beetles. Come and scan the forests of this island with Professor Alexey Solodovnikov and our new host, Padma. Alexey helps us trace the history of beetle study on this island and how important island biogeography is to understanding evolution. Presenter: Padmaparna Ghosh Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Guest Speaker: Prof. Alexey Solodovnikov

Sounds are used by animals for a large variety of purposes, from finding prey and recognising mates to communicating with each other about food, threats and territories. Many animals, from mammals, birds and fish to insects and numerous groups in between, use acoustics, vocalisation and other ways to make and hear sound. It is without doubt that sound is an important driver in evolution, but has often been overlooked in taxonomy for the simple reason that it does not preserve well in traditional natural history collections. We still wonder what the song of the dodo would have been like. With increases in video and sound recordings of animals and the study thereof, sound plays an increasing role in distinguishing between different species. Thus, in this age of extinction the recording of animal sounds has never been more important. What you are about to hear is a number of field recordings, all collected for the purpose of evolutionary research. Some of the sounds you will hear are from bats, birds, cicadas, crickets and frogs. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Presenter: Padmaparna Ghosh

Take a tour through the Society's historic collections with our book, L: 50 Objects, Stories & Discoveries from the Linnean Society of London. Written by staff, curators, researchers and Fellows of the Linnean Society, the book showcases 50 of the Society's most well-known and rarer treasures, including books, manuscripts, specimens and artwork dating from the late 15th century to today. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Interviewer: Padmaparna Ghosh Speakers: Leonie Berwick & Isabelle Charmantier

In this podcast, Mark Spencer tells us about the work being done to combat the illegal trade of orchids. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Mark Spencer (Curator of Botany at The Linnean Society of London)

In this podcast, Mark Spencer tells us about Coralline Algae, the canaries of the sea. He explains what indicator species are and their importance to us in trying to understand our changing planet. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Mark Spencer (Curator of Botany at The Linnean Society of London)

In this podcast, Mark Spencer tells us about Linnaeus' issues with fungi. He also shares a story with us about a fungus that is not pretty but is fascinating. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Mark Spencer (Curator of Botany at The Linnean Society of London)

It's Gilbert White's 300th birthday this year and to celebrate his contribution to our understanding and love of nature, Stephanie West shares a short story with us about this great naturalist's work and some of the connections he made throughout his life. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Stephanie West (UK Biodiversity Training Manager, Angela Marmont Centre, NHM)

Professor Stella Sandford asks "Is it obvious that what is ‘obvious' is always true?". In this Podcast Stella explores the history of the knowledge of plant sex to see if things really were as obvious as Linnaeus suggested. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Prof. Stella Sandford (Professor of Modern European Philosophy at Kingston University)

In this podcast, Mark Spencer tells us about the first time he worked with the plant specimens from the Linnean herbarium. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Mark Spencer (Curator of Botany at The Linnean Society of London)

In this podcast, Suzanne Ryder tells us about a Giant beetle, Dynastes hercules! This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Suzanne Ryder (Curator of Insects at The Linnean Society of London)

In this podcast, Mark Spencer tells us about the work of Peter Artedi and his connection to Carl Linnaeus. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Mark Spencer (Curator of Botany at The Linnean Society of London)

Professor Stella Sandford visits Linnaeus' private library to find his book on Aristotle's writings about animals. In this podcast Stella explains the importance of Aristotle's writings and explores what his work means to us now. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Prof. Stella Sandford (Professor of Modern European Philosophy at Kingston University)

In this podcast, Suzanne Ryder tells us about a deadly killer, The Hornet Robberfly! This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Suzanne Ryder (Curator of Insects at The Linnean Society of London)

In the summer of 1732, the Swedish botanist and physician Carl Linnaeus journeyed through Lapland. His travel account is not only often cited as the earliest first-hand account of Lapland by a naturalist and ethnographer, but also known as a founding piece of Swedish literature. With its lively first-person narrative, keen eye for empirical detail and animated portrayal of rural and nomadic life, it gives the impression of entering a new world. But Linnaeus was far from being the first to report on Lapland. Nor was he alone during his trip. In this three part podcast series we learn about this journey through Lapland the discoveries made and the people that Linnaeus met along the way. All of the objects discussed are currently on display in the Library at The Linnean Society until the end of April 2020

In the summer of 1732, the Swedish botanist and physician Carl Linnaeus journeyed through Lapland. His travel account is not only often cited as the earliest first-hand account of Lapland by a naturalist and ethnographer, but also known as a founding piece of Swedish literature. With its lively first-person narrative, keen eye for empirical detail and animated portrayal of rural and nomadic life, it gives the impression of entering a new world. But Linnaeus was far from being the first to report on Lapland. Nor was he alone during his trip. In this three part podcast series we learn about this journey through Lapland the discoveries made and the people that Linnaeus met along the way. All of the objects discussed are currently on display in the Library at The Linnean Society until the end of April 2020

In the summer of 1732, the Swedish botanist and physician Carl Linnaeus journeyed through Lapland. His travel account is not only often cited as the earliest first-hand account of Lapland by a naturalist and ethnographer, but also known as a founding piece of Swedish literature. With its lively first-person narrative, keen eye for empirical detail and animated portrayal of rural and nomadic life, it gives the impression of entering a new world. But Linnaeus was far from being the first to report on Lapland. Nor was he alone during his trip. In this three part podcast series we learn about this journey through Lapland, the discoveries made and the people that Linnaeus met along the way. All of the objects discussed are currently on display in the Library at The Linnean Society until the end of April 2020

In this podcast, Suzanne Ryder explains the importance of museum collections and why the collections held by The Linnean Society are of particularly importance. This podcast is part of a larger series that asks each of our curators to share stories with us about our precious natural history collection. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Speaker: Suzanne Ryder (Curator of Insects at The Linnean Society of London)

In the late 1800s, Frank Edwards, a Victorian gentlemen, found himself shanghaied aboard the whaling ship the Abram Barker. Frank kept a daily diary of his year out at sea, in which he gives a detailed account of the ship's activities and his own personal struggles. Given to us by his descendants, the diary is now in the safe keeping of The Linnean Society of London's collections. This podcast outlines the historical views held about whales as ‘monsters' and as a valuable Victorian commodity. It also delves into the worrying impact whaling has had on global whale populations, lingering even today, and what the uncertain future holds for these giant creatures of the sea. Co-produced and directed by: Ross Ziegelmeier and Leonie Berwick Voice actor (Frank Edwards): William Ewart Speakers: Ruth Edwards and Mark Peter Simmonds OBE Choir: Owl Parliament

Last summer, Linnean Learning visited the Green Man Festival in Wales to showcase the Museum of Lost Species. This fictional museum contains the life stories of different species that have become extinct due to human activity. We asked happy festival goers to listen to the stories and tell us how it made them feel. This podcast contains the stories of the Bramble Cay Melomys, the West African Rhino and the Rabbs Fringe-Limbed Tree Frog, as well as the reactions of the people at Green Man Festival. Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier Script written by: Joe Burton Voice artist: Elisa Jones

Coral reefs are crucial for both the survival of humans and marine organisms. However, due to climate change, coral reefs are now under threat and are on the brink of collapsing. This podcast takes us on a journey around the world to find out more about these amazing organisms, their importance to the planet and what is being done to try and save them. Speakers: Zack Rago, Prof. James Crabbe, Prof. Peter Harrison, Prof. Madeleine Van Oppen Presented by: Ross Ziegelmeier Produce by: Ross Ziegelmeier

This podcast was produced for an escape room activity for the 2019 Burlington House Summer courtyard late: "Experience life in Movile Cave, Romania. Be careful, if you don't successfully answer the series of clues, you may be locked in forever...." In this podcast Dr Rich Boden walks us through this mysterious cave and explains why it is so important in helping us to understand the history of our planet's chemistry. Speakers: Dr Rich Boden Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

In this podcast we will try to uncover the origins of our fear of plants. We will begin with our most basic fear – the fear of being hurt by some of the most dangerous or just plain irritating plants. We will then move into the intangible fear of the imagination as we explore the horrors that wait for us if carnivorous plants where to grow the size of men. We will then hear from a scientist about the evolutionary origins of these feared plants and how they are becoming extinct. Speakers: Dr Marina Hurley, Dr Dawn Sanders, Dr Emily Bourke Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

The Linnean Society of London is home to the astonishing collection of Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. This work is on the flora of India and Nepal, which includes brilliant watercolours painted by Indian artists. In this podcast we learn about how Dr Mark Watson is now making use of this collection to inform is research. Dr Mark Watson has over 30 years of experience in floristics, plant systematics, botanical nomenclature and biodiversity informatics. Speaker: Dr Mark Watson Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier