Author Archives: Natasha Little
What should we eat to save the planet?
Barbara Knowles is senior science policy adviser at the Society of Biology, and loves the landscapes, food and natural treasures created by traditional farming. Hardly a week goes by without another academic paper telling us to eat less meat, and to intensify agriculture sustainably to feed the growing population, protect biodiversity or reduce greenhouse gas … Continue reading
Changing the world
Barbara Knowles is senior science policy adviser at the Society of Biology and compiles its science policy newsletter. She also volunteers for an NGO in Transylvania which focuses on conserving and understanding biodiversity, landscape and high nature value farming. Scientists working in biodiversity conservation and sustainability science go through stages of despair and recovery while … Continue reading
When science makes sweet music
Jon Kudlick is the director of membership, marketing & communications at the Society of Biology. You can’t carry out, plan or even suggest a science-based public engagement activity without someone saying the word “evaluation” a million times over. And there are two good reasons why. Firstly, with so many different factors to consider when doing … Continue reading
Urban rust fungi: investigating a curious plant parasite
James Iremonger is a third year microbiology student at Heriot Watt University and is currently undertaking a summer mycology project funded by the BSPP. I’ve just finished my first week studying rust fungi with Dr. Stephan Helfer, a senior scientist and mycologist at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE). We have been working in … Continue reading
Pacifying Paxman
by Anthony Martinelli Over the course of my life, I have achieved a couple of things on which I reflect with a particular sense of pride. The most recent was an appearance on television last Monday evening, when I had the privilege of captaining my College’s team on University Challenge, a program I have watched … Continue reading