7 May 2010

Biodiversity events in the Zoology Museum

2010 is International Year of Biodiversity and this year’s programme for the Tayside Biodiversity Festival is busier than ever. The University of Dundee’s Zoology Museum is hosting three evening events as part of the festival, all of which are free and open to the public.

On Tuesday 11 May, Philosophy lecturer Dr John Mullarkey will be giving a talk entitled ‘The Philosophical Abuse of Animals: Killing with Kindness?’. He will look at why the animal has become a central figure in contemporary philosophy, and how our understanding of animals has changed the image we have of ourselves - for better or for worse.

On Tuesday 18 May, there will be an evening of short talks on the role of conservation and museums in maintaining and encouraging biodiversity. Speakers will include museum curators Cathy Caudwell (D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum) and David Lampard (the McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum) and Tanja Stephen from the University’s College of Life Sciences.

On Tuesday 25 May, Professor Chris Spray from the University’s UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science will be giving a talk entitled ‘Swanning around in Scotland’ discussing the importance of conserving our wetland biodiversity.

All events begin at 6pm in the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, Carnelley Building, with refreshments served from 5.30pm.

For further information, contact Matthew Jarron on 01382 384310 or museum@dundee.ac.uk.

For further information about the Tayside Biodiversity Festival, visit www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/Information_Events_Events2010.html.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902