Linnean Learning

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

Global warming affects every aspect of our lives including the food that we eat. Our attempts to slow the impact of global warming may not be enough and therefore we need to start looking towards the foods that we may have to eat in the near future. In this episode we go from the highly trendy neighbourhoods of Dalston, London, to rural South Africa and back again to London, Kew Gardens, to explore the potential of succulents as a future food. Speakers include; Gynelle Leon, the owner of the first cacti and succulent dedicated shop, called Prick; Dr Olwen Grace, senior research leader on desert plants from Kew Gardens; and Ernst Van Jaarsveld Master Botanist at Babylonstoren farm, South Africa.

For many years the people of Nepal have been harvesting mad honey, named so because of the effects it has on the human body when consumed. Although this honey and its effects on human physiology have been known for many years, the ecological purpose of the pollen that causes these effects, is less clear. In this episode we go on a journey to Nepal with Abdullah Saeed to discover this mad honey for ourselves. Professor Phil Stevenson also joins the conversation in order to explain how his research is helping us to understand the true purpose of the pollen.

Coralline algae are important habitat formers. Rhodoliths/mäerl are unattached forms of coralline algae that interlock to form extensive beds that support high levels of biodiversity. This ability to interlock is dependent on their 3D structure. However their structure is highly influenced by the environment and therefore environmental changes that would affect the ability of coralline algae to maintain their 3D structure would ultimately affect the ability of coralline algae to form these complex habitats. In this podcast we are joined by Prof Juliet Brodie, Dr Leanne Melbourne and Dr Frederica Ragazzola who are investigating the effects that climate change is having on these organisms, in addition to what can be done to save them. Dr Leanne Melbourne who features in this podcast has just completed her PhD at the University of Bristol on the effect of climate change on coralline algae. She will also be giving a lecture on the 5th of December at the Linnean Society where she will be explaining her resear

With Halloween nearly upon us, we take a look at our fears and the natural world. In this 2 part series, “Small Fears and Consciousness”, we are joined, in part one, by Dr. Jeffrey A. Lockwood. He is the author of The Infested Mind: Why Humans Fear, Loathe, and Love Insects. In this interview he explores, in great depths, as to why it is that we fear these tiny creatures so much. If Dr. Lockwood’s closing comment, regarding the consciousness of insects, is one that sparks your imagination be sure to listen to Part 2.

With Halloween nearly upon us, we take a look at our fears and the natural world. In this second half of this two part series, “Small Fears and Consciousness”, we are joined by Louis B. Rosenberg, CEO of Unanimous AI and Dr. Clint Perry, research Fellow at Queen Mary University London. In these interviews we investigate the underlying neural mechanism of learning in bees, in an attempt to unravel the phenomena of consciousness and create a safe and secure Artificial Intelligence. To find out more about our fears of these small and conscious creatures listen to part 1.

The carpological collection is a complement to Smith's herbarium, which has plants collected by Smith and donated to him by important naturalists of the late 18th and early 19th century: Carl Linnaeus the Younger (son of Carl Linnaeus), Robert Brown, John Ellis and Joseph Dalton Hooker, amongst others. It contains many type specimens. The carpological collection contains the parts of a plant that could not easily be pressed on a herbarium sheet: seeds, fruits and branches. In this podcast Dr Maria Zytaruk explores the seed packets of this collection and explains how it adds an extra layer to the historical understanding of 18th–19th century botany. Further reading about this collection can be found here: https://www.linnean.org/the-society/news/2018/05/02/2-may-2018-conserving-the-carpological-collection Speaker: Dr. Maria Zytaruk Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

Myths, magic and medicine each offer a very different way in which we can make sense of the world, but are they actually really all that far apart? In this podcast we explore where these schools of thought overlap. This podcast features Valerie Thomas, Medical Herbalist; Julian Harrison, specialist on medieval manuscripts and Lead Curator of the exhibition, Harry Potter: A History of Magic; and Professor Monique Simmonds OBE who is a botanist and deputy keeper of the Jodrell Laboratory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Speaker: Valerie Thomas, Julian Harrison, Monique Simmonds Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

In forensic cases, flies and beetles give clues about the “time since death”, the location, as well as season of when a crime has occurred. In this podcast, we invited Dr Mark Benecke FLS, to tell us about some of our specimens that he uses to uncover facts from crime scenes. Dr Mark Benecke FLS is head of International Forensic Research, Consultant and an Officially Certified and Sworn-in Expert for Biological Stains in Criminal Cases. Speaker: Dr Mark Benecke FLS Produced by: Ross Ziegelmeier

We (humans) are inextricably bound to the flora on earth, yet our futures seems to be among the stars! So, in order for us to survive in space we are going to, ironically, need to take earth with us, but how? In this podcast we learn about how plants put us among the stars and will enable us, in the not too distant future, to explore galaxies far, far away. Speakers include Dr. Sandy knapp, Head of the plants Division of the Natural History Museum; Lucie Poulet, Research Associate and PhD candidate at the Institute of Space Systems; and Angelo Vermeulen a space systems researcher, biologist and artist. Produced By: Ross Ziegelmeier