In the 19th century, naturalists like Charles Darwin were voyaging across the world with the aim of documenting the natural world. Specimens collected on these voyages were shipped back to the colonial capital, to be housed and studied in museums there, often thousands of miles from where they were uncovered. 200 years on, these same extractive research practices continue in palaeontological research, shaping the way we understanding ancient life and how it evolved. In this presentation, we will explore some key examples of 'scientific colonialism' and examine the impact that the legacy of colonialism has on modern science, as well as discuss what steps are being taken to ensure that future research is more equitable than in the past.

This Darwin Day lecture will be given by Dr Emma Dunne, a postdoctoral researcher in palaeobiology at the University of Birmingham.

This event will be held virtually on Zoom. Please use the form below to register and we will send you a Zoom link.