Fossils and Fiction Travis Holland

Jac O’Connor is a PhD researcher in the Evans EvoLab
at Monash University. Jac undertakes a fascinating mix of research and creative work including immensely detailed 3D reconstructions of extinct animals. This conversation charts Jac's journey into and through palaeo.

Check out @PalaeoJac on Instagram for more.





---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message

Zach Vanasse, founder and director of Dinosaur Trips, discusses his journey in creating a unique travel company that offers dinosaur-themed trips. He shares his childhood fascination with dinosaurs and how it led him to combine his passion for palaeontology with his experience in the travel industry. Zach explains the offerings of Dinosaur Trips, which include visits to museums, dinosaur digs, and other attractions in various destinations. He emphasises that the trips cater to both dinosaur enthusiasts and curious travellers who want to explore destinations through the lens of palaeontology.

For more info, check out DinosaurTrips.com


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message

In this conversation, Dr. Catherine Pugh and Dr. Ross Garner discuss their chapters in 'The Jurassic Park Book' and provide new perspectives on the classic 1990s blockbuster. Dr. Pugh analyses a play called 'The Jurassic Parks' that riffs on the film and explores themes of family and grief. Dr. Garner focuses on the role of merchandise and franchising in the Jurassic Park franchise and the lack of academic attention towards it.

They also discuss the impact of Jurassic Park on dinosaur fandom and the genre of eco-horror. The conversation explores the themes of environmental impact, the future of the Jurassic Park franchise, the portrayal of dinosaurs as animals or monsters, and the use of dinosaurs as agents of punishment. The discussion also touches on the tension between realism and spectacle in the films, the changing debates and viewpoints within the franchise, and the engagement with cultural and scientific debates. The conversation highlights the unique nature of the Jurassic Park series in actively engaging with these themes on screen.

This is Part 2 of coverage of 'The Jurassic Park Book', edited by Dr Matt Melia and published by Bloomsbury.


More info:



The Jurassic Park Book https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/jurassic-park-book-9781501384844/
Cinergie Journal: 'Franchising Jurassic Park' https://cinergie.unibo.it/issue/view/1234


Dr Catherine Pugh's website https://catherine-pugh.co.uk/
Dr Ross Garner's university profile https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/garnerrp1


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message

Bronwyn Saunders, a children's author and citizen scientist, discusses her book 'Diprotodon: A Megafauna Journey' and the importance of Australian megafauna. She shares her journey as a writer and the research process she went through to write the book. Bronwyn also mentions her author inspirations and hints at future projects.



More:


Follow Bronwyn's Facebook page
Buy Diprotodon: A Megafauna Journey
We have a copy of Diprotodon to give away - drawn April 10, 2024. See the Fossils and Fiction Instagram for details.


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message

Jake Kotevski is a PhD candidate at Monash University studying Australian theropods, specifically megaraptorids. Are they just big raptors? Find out in our wide-ranging discussion about the known knowns, the known unknowns, and some speculation on the unknown unknowns. Jake also describes his journey into palaeontology and how the pieces fit together between Australia, South America, Antarctica and Asia.

Follow Jake's work on Instagram @theropods_down_under


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message

Dr Matthew Melia introduces and discusses The Jurassic Park Book, published by Bloomsbury. The Jurassic Park Book is the second in a three-part series by Matt on Steven Spielberg's biggest creature features: Jaws, Jurassic Park, and ET. Following Matt, global film specialist Peter Kramer discusses his contribution to the book. This is part one of a two-part discussion with contributors to this book.
__
More info:

The Jurassic Park Book https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/jurassic-park-book-9781501384844/
Cinergie Journal: 'Franchising Jurassic Park' https://cinergie.unibo.it/issue/view/1234
Matt Melia's profile: https://www.kingston.ac.uk/staff/profile/dr-matthew-melia-648/
Peter Kramer's profile https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/academic-staff/technology/peter-kramer/peter-kramer.aspx


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fossilsfiction/message