Time: 37 minutes
“We have to find ways to communicate our research before we start it, while we’re doing it and then after we’ve done…What do we want to do and why? How and who is going to benefit from it? How is this actually improving society? I think it’s a great privilege to do what we do.”
– Professor Neil Gemmell
The Collective: Rae Kumar, Camila Pardo Uribe, Felice Ng, Emma Gill, Kate Holmes, Kelly Hopkinson
Episode Credits
Guest: Professor Neil Gemmell
Host: Rae Kumar
Producers: Kate Holmes, Emma Gill
Audio Engineering & Editing: Camila Pardo Uribe
Research: Felice Ng, Camila Pardo Uribe, Emma Gill, Kate Holmes, Kelly Hopkinson, Rae Kumar
Show notes: Camila Pardo Uribe, Felice Ng, Emma Gill
Audiogram by Headliner.app
You’ve heard about DNA… but what about eDNA? From tracking invasive species to sex-changing fish to cryptozoology, Professor Neil Gemmell (Geneticist, University of Otago) has explored the science of DNA throughout his academic career.
In this episode, join Masters student Rae (University of Western Australia) as she picks Neil’s brain on the Finding Nemo re-make the world is not ready for; how the COVID pandemic helped increase the public understanding of science; and the importance of building trust between scientific and local and indigenous communities. Plus, hear about how a Twitter conversation – and the excitement of Neil’s children – led to a search for the Loch Ness Monster and an unexpected exercise in science communication!
“It’s beholden to us to communicate the benefits of our research. We have to find ways to communicate our research before, during, and after we start doing it… It’s really important to maintain public funding of science and retain people’s faith in science, to be open and honest, and have these great conversations about the weird and wonderful things we find.” – Professor Neil Gemmell
For more information on Neil and team’s research, visit Gemmell Lab.
Do you think the movie world is ready for an accurate depiction of fish biology? Why is the Loch Ness Monster an enduring myth, despite scientific evidence? Let us know your thoughts below!
Episode links:
What we learn from a fish that can change sex in just 10 days (The Conversation)
Stress, novel sex genes, and epigenetic programming orchestrate socially controlled sex change (Research article in Science)
Monster hunt: Using environmental DNA to survey life in Loch Ness (The Conversation)
The Loch Ness monster: how did the myth begin? (The Week)
Loch Ness Monster may be a giant eel, say scientists (BBC)
Keywords
Genetics, Science Communication, Sex-Changing Fish, Neil Gemmell, University Of Otago, New Zealand, Loch Ness Monster, Environmental DNA, eDNA, Citizen Science, Indigenous Collaboration, Predator Control, Public Engagement, Genetic Technologies, Cultural Similarities, Storytelling, Marine Biology, Biodiversity, Research Collaboration, Science Education, Community Trust
We love hearing everyone’s stories of how they got into science communication. What about you? What brought you here? Feel free to share in the comments!
All opinions on this website are representative of individuals and are not representative of The University of Western Australia. The University of Western Australia is not liable for content herein.
