Thu 23 Oct 18:45: Conserving Butterflies: Past, Present and Future
In this talk, final year PhD student Matt Hayes discusses how he combines fieldwork and studying museum specimens to research butterfly populations from the past and present.
Matt’s work is partnered with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire with whom he trials management strategies to see how species can be protected from some of the negative impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
Matt also studies the UK butterfly specimens held at the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge to see how wildlife of the past can inform modern day conservation action.
- Speaker: Matt Hayes, Department of Zoology, Cambridge
- Thursday 23 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 30 Oct 18:45: Plastics in the Environment
Claire Barlow will talk about plastics: amazing materials that have transformed our lives, but at a cost. Their durability, one of the properties that makes them so useful, means that large and small pieces of plastic waste find their way into the natural environment, causing many different problems.
We will look at where the plastic waste comes from, and investigate some of the ways in which it affects living organisms. Solutions are not easy, but there are a lot of good initiatives and there is some hope for the future.
- Speaker: Claire Barlow, Senior Lecturer in Manufacturing, IfM
- Thursday 30 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 06 Nov 18:45: Looking for the Goshawk - The Lost Raptor
Conor Jameson will give a personal, narrative account of the natural history of this mystery-shrouded bird of prey: how it lives, where it lives, and why it might be missing from our lives.
But there are increasing reports of goshawks, which at last are getting ‘out of the woods’. His search takes him to some unexpected places, at home and abroad.
The talk focuses on how this adventure turned into the essay which won him the BBC Wildlife Nature Writer of the Year, and then the book, which received awards from the Society of Authors and the Royal Literary Fund.
- Speaker: Conor Jameson, writer and naturalist
- Thursday 06 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 13 Nov 18:45: Unsung Songbirds: Vocal Communication and Cognition in Corvids
Corvids — members of the crow family including jackdaws, ravens, and magpies — are known for their remarkable behavioural flexibility and complex social lives.
Claudia will share insights from her research into how corvids communicate and make decisions, revealing the intricate ways these birds respond to and navigate their social environments.
The talk explores how vocalisations are used to maintain relationships, coordinate actions, and convey social information, and how ecological and social factors shape their cognitive processes. By examining corvids through the lens of socio-ecology, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of animal minds.
- Speaker: Claudia Wascher, Anglia Ruskin University
- Thursday 13 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 20 Nov 18:45: A Visit to the Vercors
Monica Frisch will describe discovering some of the delights of the Vercors National Park in eastern France, with its dramatic limestone mountain scenery, fascinating flora, including alpine specialities such as gentians and orchids, beautiful butterflies and some of the other natural history.
- Speaker: Monica Frisch, CNHS
- Thursday 20 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 27 Nov 18:45: History of the Little Wilbraham River
David Lomas is an active member of the Wilbraham River Protection Society as well as the CamElyOuse Catchment organisation.
He will explain the complex history of this chalk stream, its relationship to the adjacent habitats and why its survival is under threat as Cambridge continues to expand.
The Little Wilbraham River is just one example of the 29 water bodies in the Cam catchment – all of which are increasingly challenged by human activity.
- Speaker: David Lomas, retired academic, medic & engineer
- Thursday 27 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Wed 01 Oct 18:45: A Buzzing of Bees: Tales of Honeybees Through History Joint meeting with the Cambridgeshire Beekeepers' Association (NB Wednesday)
Dino Martins will talk about the relationship between honeybees and people.
Honeybees are one of the most familiar and widespread insects that are kept, managed, exploited and familiar to humanity. It is often said that ‘There is a crisis around bees’, but the reality is that overall honeybee numbers are actually increasing worldwide, the result of more intensive management, mass production and commercial trade of queens and colonies.
With examples drawn from around the world, this talk will highlight the complex, multi-faceted relationship we have with honeybees and explore how we can all play a role in better stewardship of the planet.
Joint meeting with the Cambridgeshire Beekeepers' Association (NB Wednesday)
- Speaker: Dino Martins
- Wednesday 01 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 09 Oct 18:45: The Past and Future of Natural History
Brian Eversham will present a history of naturalists over 3000 years, of trends in wildlife and the study of wildlife, and some personal thoughts on where it’s heading, and where the next generation of field naturalists might come from.
- Speaker: Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
- Thursday 09 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 16 Oct 18:45: Searching for (and finding) Snow Leopards
Peter Pilbeam will describe the trials and tribulations of searching for snow leopards in the Altai mountains in southern Siberia and in the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan. And (eventually) finding them in Ladakh in north-eastern India, in China, and in Mongolia.
- Speaker: Peter Pilbeam
- Thursday 16 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 23 Oct 18:45: Conserving Butterflies: Past, Present and Future
In this talk, final year PhD student Matt Hayes discusses how he combines fieldwork and studying museum specimens to research butterfly populations from the past and present.
Matt’s work is partnered with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire with whom he trials management strategies to see how species can be protected from some of the negative impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
Matt also studies the UK butterfly specimens held at the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge to see how wildlife of the past can inform modern day conservation action.
- Speaker: Matt Hayes, Department of Zoology, Cambridge
- Thursday 23 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 30 Oct 18:45: Plastics in the Environment
Claire Barlow will talk about plastics: amazing materials that have transformed our lives, but at a cost. Their durability, one of the properties that makes them so useful, means that large and small pieces of plastic waste find their way into the natural environment, causing many different problems.
We will look at where the plastic waste comes from, and investigate some of the ways in which it affects living organisms. Solutions are not easy, but there are a lot of good initiatives and there is some hope for the future.
- Speaker: Claire Barlow, Senior Lecturer in Manufacturing, IfM
- Thursday 30 October 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 06 Nov 18:45: Looking for the Goshawk - The Lost Raptor
Conor Jameson will give a personal, narrative account of the natural history of this mystery-shrouded bird of prey: how it lives, where it lives, and why it might be missing from our lives.
But there are increasing reports of goshawks, which at last are getting ‘out of the woods’. His search takes him to some unexpected places, at home and abroad.
The talk focuses on how this adventure turned into the essay which won him the BBC Wildlife Nature Writer of the Year, and then the book, which received awards from the Society of Authors and the Royal Literary Fund.
- Speaker: Conor Jameson, writer and naturalist
- Thursday 06 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 13 Nov 18:45: Unsung Songbirds: Vocal Communication and Cognition in Corvids
Corvids — members of the crow family including jackdaws, ravens, and magpies — are known for their remarkable behavioural flexibility and complex social lives.
Claudia will share insights from her research into how corvids communicate and make decisions, revealing the intricate ways these birds respond to and navigate their social environments.
The talk explores how vocalisations are used to maintain relationships, coordinate actions, and convey social information, and how ecological and social factors shape their cognitive processes. By examining corvids through the lens of socio-ecology, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of animal minds.
- Speaker: Claudia Wascher, Anglia Ruskin University
- Thursday 13 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 20 Nov 18:45: A Visit to the Vercors
Monica Frisch will describe discovering some of the delights of the Vercors National Park in eastern France, with its dramatic limestone mountain scenery, fascinating flora, including alpine specialities such as gentians and orchids, beautiful butterflies and some of the other natural history.
- Speaker: Monica Frisch, CNHS
- Thursday 20 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 27 Nov 18:45: History of the Little Wilbraham River
David Lomas is an active member of the Wilbraham River Protection Society as well as the CamElyOuse Catchment organisation.
He will explain the complex history of this chalk stream, its relationship to the adjacent habitats and why its survival is under threat as Cambridge continues to expand.
The Little Wilbraham River is just one example of the 29 water bodies in the Cam catchment – all of which are increasingly challenged by human activity.
- Speaker: David Lomas, retired academic, medic & engineer
- Thursday 27 November 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Wed 15 Oct 13:00: Bradford Hill Seminar – The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK - Professor Danny Dorling
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar ‘The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK’ with Professor Danny Dorling of the University of Oxford.
Attend in person or register to attend online at https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xt6c2C_hR7a2xOFqlKb5Dg
We like to present epidemiology as politically neutral, and public health as the science of supporting the health of the population as a whole. This is not necessarily so.
There are always choices to be made. Different academic disciplines have implicit biases and underlying beliefs, which can change over time and differ greatly between contexts. Some of the most obvious examples are between people who prefer individualistic explanations and those who see this as victim blaming.
A lack of attention to certain topics is another form of political bias. Why, for instance, are we in the UK not more concerned about how many people choose and can afford to use private health care and dentistry? Why are we not talking about how life expectancy fell in the UK after 2014? And, to what extent is our epidemiology and public health in the UK in the 2020s a reflection of UK politics?
About Professor Dorling: Danny Dorling works at the University of Oxford. His most recent three books are: “Seven Children”, “Peak Injustice”, and “The Next Crisis”. He works with road crash charity RoadPeace, Heeley City Farm in Sheffield, and the educational campaign group Comprehensive Future.
- Speaker: Professor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Large Seminar Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0SR..
- Series: Bradford Hill Seminars; organiser: Paul Browne.
Wed 15 Oct 13:00: Bradford Hill Seminar – The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK - Professor Danny Dorling
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar ‘The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK’ with Professor Danny Dorling of the University of Oxford.
Attend in person or register to attend online at https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xt6c2C_hR7a2xOFqlKb5Dg
We like to present epidemiology as politically neutral, and public health as the science of supporting the health of the population as a whole. This is not necessarily so.
There are always choices to be made. Different academic disciplines have implicit biases and underlying beliefs, which can change over time and differ greatly between contexts. Some of the most obvious examples are between people who prefer individualistic explanations and those who see this as victim blaming.
A lack of attention to certain topics is another form of political bias. Why, for instance, are we in the UK not more concerned about how many people choose and can afford to use private health care and dentistry? Why are we not talking about how life expectancy fell in the UK after 2014? And, to what extent is our epidemiology and public health in the UK in the 2020s a reflection of UK politics?
About Professor Dorling: Danny Dorling works at the University of Oxford. His most recent three books are: “Seven Children”, “Peak Injustice”, and “The Next Crisis”. He works with road crash charity RoadPeace, Heeley City Farm in Sheffield, and the educational campaign group Comprehensive Future.
- Speaker: Professor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Large Seminar Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0SR..
- Series: Bradford Hill Seminars; organiser: Paul Browne.
Wed 15 Oct 13:00: Bradford Hill Seminar – The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK - Professor Danny Dorling
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar ‘The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK’ with Professor Danny Dorling of the University of Oxford.
Attend in person or register to attend online at https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xt6c2C_hR7a2xOFqlKb5Dg
We like to present epidemiology as politically neutral, and public health as the science of supporting the health of the population as a whole. This is not necessarily so.
There are always choices to be made. Different academic disciplines have implicit biases and underlying beliefs, which can change over time and differ greatly between contexts. Some of the most obvious examples are between people who prefer individualistic explanations and those who see this as victim blaming.
A lack of attention to certain topics is another form of political bias. Why, for instance, are we in the UK not more concerned about how many people choose and can afford to use private health care and dentistry? Why are we not talking about how life expectancy fell in the UK after 2014? And, to what extent is our epidemiology and public health in the UK in the 2020s a reflection of UK politics?
About Professor Dorling: Danny Dorling works at the University of Oxford. His most recent three books are: “Seven Children”, “Peak Injustice”, and “The Next Crisis”. He works with road crash charity RoadPeace, Heeley City Farm in Sheffield, and the educational campaign group Comprehensive Future.
- Speaker: Professor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Large Seminar Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0SR..
- Series: Bradford Hill Seminars; organiser: Paul Browne.
Wed 24 Sep 14:00: Advancing Neuroinclusion: Best Practices Round Table
Advancing Neuroinclusion: Best Practices Round Table
24 September 2024 | 2pm
Venue: Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman St, Cambridge CB1 7AF (How to find us)
Attend Online: Join the live Zoom Webinar
More information: events@slcu.cam.ac.uk
Join colleagues from across academic, research, and professional services for a collaborative round table exploring best practices in supporting neurodiverse staff, students and visitors. This session will spotlight practical strategies, lived experiences, and institutional approaches that foster inclusive, supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals working in higher education and research settings.
Please join us in this round table to discuss how we can support neurodiverse colleagues and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Ask a question of the panel
Please use this form to pre-submit questions you would like the panel to address. Provide as much context as you can so the panel can respond effectively.
Panellists
Dr Kelsey J.R.P Byers John Innes Centre
Kelsey Byers (any/all pronouns) is a Group Leader at the John Innes Centre (Norwich, UK) where they lead a team studying the role of floral scent in animal pollination and flowering plant evolution. Originally from the USA , Kelsey has lived in several countries and conducted research in several more. As a multiply-disabled and multiply-neurodivergent human (ASD, ADHD , Auditory Processing Disorder), Kelsey advocates for the inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent individuals in STEM fields, particularly in field biology.
Dr Amanda Brunton CCTL , University of Cambridge
Amanda has a particular interest in accessibility in teaching and is passionate about creating a welcoming learning environment for her students. She runs the Autism and ADHD -Friendly Writing Retreats for PhD students across the university. Amanda’s background is in Early Modern English history and literature, and she holds a PhD in English Literature.
Dr Julie Bailey University of Cambridge
Julie is an experienced educator, researcher and specialist mentor, supporting neurodivergent and disabled students to success in their studies and beyond. Following a career in secondary education and sixth form leadership, she returned to the University of Cambridge where she completed an MEd and PhD in higher education neurodiversity inclusion. Julie has lived experience of neurodivergence and was the founding chair of governors for The Cavendish School, an innovative specialist, state-funded school for autistic children and young people in and around Cambridge. She currently combines multiple student support, teaching and research roles, with a particular interest in the use of AI in supporting inclusion.
Dr Kate Hughes Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Kate Hughes (she/her) is a veterinary pathologist at the University of Cambridge Veterinary School. She teaches veterinary students in years 4, 5 and 6 of the course, in both traditional teaching settings, and in small groups during practical clinical rotations. Her interests include understanding how the physical teaching environment impacts student learning, and understanding the needs of neurodivergent students when designing teaching and learning activities.
Dr Eva Hellmann Chaired by Dr Eva Hellmann Training and Inclusive Support Manager, University of Cambridge
- Speaker: Dr Kelsey J.R.P Byers (John Innes Centre), Dr Amanda Brunton (CCTL, University of Cambridge), Dr Julie Bailey (University of Cambridge) and Dr Kate Hughes (Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge)
- Wednesday 24 September 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University Auditorium - 47 Bateman Street and online (contact events@slcu.cam.ac.uk for Zoom link).
- Series: Sainsbury Laboratory Seminars; organiser: Kathy Grube.
Wed 24 Sep 14:00: Advancing Neuroinclusion: Best Practices Round Table
Advancing Neuroinclusion: Best Practices Round Table
24 September 2024 | 2pm
Venue: Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman St, Cambridge CB1 7AF (How to find us)
Attend Online: Join the live Zoom Webinar
More information: events@slcu.cam.ac.uk
Join colleagues from across academic, research, and professional services for a collaborative round table exploring best practices in supporting neurodiverse staff, students and visitors. This session will spotlight practical strategies, lived experiences, and institutional approaches that foster inclusive, supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals working in higher education and research settings.
Please join us in this round table to discuss how we can support neurodiverse colleagues and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Ask a question of the panel
Please use this form to pre-submit questions you would like the panel to address. Provide as much context as you can so the panel can respond effectively.
Panellists
Dr Kelsey J.R.P Byers John Innes Centre
Kelsey Byers (any/all pronouns) is a Group Leader at the John Innes Centre (Norwich, UK) where they lead a team studying the role of floral scent in animal pollination and flowering plant evolution. Originally from the USA , Kelsey has lived in several countries and conducted research in several more. As a multiply-disabled and multiply-neurodivergent human (ASD, ADHD , Auditory Processing Disorder), Kelsey advocates for the inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent individuals in STEM fields, particularly in field biology.
Dr Amanda Brunton CCTL , University of Cambridge
Amanda has a particular interest in accessibility in teaching and is passionate about creating a welcoming learning environment for her students. She runs the Autism and ADHD -Friendly Writing Retreats for PhD students across the university. Amanda’s background is in Early Modern English history and literature, and she holds a PhD in English Literature.
Dr Julie Bailey University of Cambridge
Julie is an experienced educator, researcher and specialist mentor, supporting neurodivergent and disabled students to success in their studies and beyond. Following a career in secondary education and sixth form leadership, she returned to the University of Cambridge where she completed an MEd and PhD in higher education neurodiversity inclusion. Julie has lived experience of neurodivergence and was the founding chair of governors for The Cavendish School, an innovative specialist, state-funded school for autistic children and young people in and around Cambridge. She currently combines multiple student support, teaching and research roles, with a particular interest in the use of AI in supporting inclusion.
Dr Kate Hughes Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Kate Hughes (she/her) is a veterinary pathologist at the University of Cambridge Veterinary School. She teaches veterinary students in years 4, 5 and 6 of the course, in both traditional teaching settings, and in small groups during practical clinical rotations. Her interests include understanding how the physical teaching environment impacts student learning, and understanding the needs of neurodivergent students when designing teaching and learning activities.
Dr Eva Hellmann Chaired by Dr Eva Hellmann Training and Inclusive Support Manager, University of Cambridge
- Speaker: Dr Kelsey J.R.P Byers (John Innes Centre), Dr Amanda Brunton (CCTL, University of Cambridge), Dr Julie Bailey (University of Cambridge) and Dr Kate Hughes (Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge)
- Wednesday 24 September 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University Auditorium - 47 Bateman Street and online (contact events@slcu.cam.ac.uk for Zoom link).
- Series: Sainsbury Laboratory Seminars; organiser: Kathy Grube.