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Biology: Fieldwork – How To Collect Good Data When Practically Everything Nearby Is Trying To Eat You With Professor Ben Garrod From University of East Anglia
27th March 2023 @ 14:15 - 15:00
For many prospective scientists, the idea of fieldwork is a dreamy part of the work, and while sitting on a tropical beach sipping cocktails, recording birdsong, might sound great, it’s also not exactly your typical fieldwork experience.
After more than 20 years working in the field, biologist and broadcaster Professor Ben Garrod, from the University of East Anglia, gives a ‘tell all’ talk about the highs and lows of working in the field.
What’s it really like to live remotely for years? How can you ensure your data collection is done properly? Why is it essential to understand the local human communities more than the local wildlife communities, and when should you start to worry about that strange wiggly feeling in your chest at night in the forest?
Ben believes every biologist should give field work a go, but also that every biologist should know what to expect as part of the adventure.
Speaker Profile (Please Click): Ben Garrod is Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia. He has lived and worked around the world for the last 20 years, from working alongside coastal communities in Madagascar to protect sharks, and studying introduced monkeys across the Caribbean, to living among wild chimpanzees in Uganda, and excavating the world’s largest dinosaur in Argentina, with David Attenborough. Ben is currently helping develop new conservation methods in Western Africa to support great ape conservation.
Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.
As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.
Suitable for: Year 12 & 13 students (and equivalent) studying, or with a possible interest in studying, Biology and related disciplines.
Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students may wish to consider the topic in advance, with respect to challenges they may face or questions they have. Students can also think about questions they have about studying Biology at university level.
The IT Setup: The event will be run on Bluejeans (similar to Zoom) and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.
Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below: