Alison Bashford
Professor of history at the University of New South Wales and author of Decoding the Hand, exploring the history of science, medicine and palmistry.
Best podcasts with Alison Bashford
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13 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 53min
Telling the future and the past through the palm
Alison Bashford, a history professor at UNSW and author of "Decoding the Hand," delves into the fascinating history of palmistry and its scientific counterparts. She shares a captivating story about discovering a gorilla's handprint that ignited her research. The conversation covers the psychology of handprints, ancient beliefs linking hands to character, and the intriguing connections between palmistry and astrology. Bashford also reveals how 19th-century hand readings intertwined with social identities and examines the rise of celebrity palmists.
Nov 24, 2025 • 42min
Genes and hands: mapping character and health
Join historian Alison Bashford, zoologist Matthew Cobb, and geneticist Charlotte Houldcroft as they delve into the fascinating intersections of palmistry, genetics, and health. Bashford unveils the surprising relationship between palmistry and science, while Cobb shares insights on Francis Crick's innovative methods and his contributions to our understanding of DNA. Houldcroft explores how ancient DNA helps trace viral evolution and informs modern health strategies. Together, they highlight the beauty of interdisciplinary dialogue in decoding our identities.
