Behind the Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums

Far less than 1% of all collections are on display in the world’s natural history museums, and they consistently top the polls for the most popular tourist attractions. Yet we don’t often stop to think about what they tell us about our world, how crucial they might yet be to saving life on earth, or their role in honestly reframing social histories. What is the science is being done behind the scenes? What is chosen for display and why? Who collected it? What has been left out? Can they tell us new stories for the 21st century?

Nature’s Memory is the first book to explore both the scientific and social relevance of the world’s natural history museums while offering an illuminating insider’s guide to visiting them. Along the way, there are many surprises, such as Dippy isn’t what you think. He/she is made up of bones from at least of six different dinosaurs and has the wrong head. In fact, we don’t actually know for sure what a Diplodocus head really looks like.

Join Jack Ashby, award-winning author and Assistant Director of the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge, and Professor Rebecca Kilner FRS, Head of the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge for a conversation about the stories in the new book. After the talk there will be a chance to explore the Museum’s galleries and to buy a signed copy of Nature’s Memory: Behind the Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums.

The event takes place in the Zoology Lecture Theatre in the Department of Zoology, next to the Museum. 

Doors open at 5.45pm. The event starts at 6pm to 7pm and there will be a chance to visit the Museum shop and galleries between 7pm and 7.30pm. 

This event is ticketed. Tickets are FREE, please book in advance. Book your FREE ticket here