Rebecca Kilner

Professor Rebecca Kilner, an evolutionary biologist at Cambridge, discusses how the absence of seasons would dramatically alter animal life, emphasizing the impact on breeding and cooperation among species. Aidan McGivern, a senior weather presenter at the Met Office, provides a simulated forecast for a world without tilt, envisioning expansive deserts and tundras. They explore how these changes could affect evolutionary trajectories and whether dinosaurs would thrive differently in a seasonless Earth. The conversation is a fascinating blend of climate science and evolutionary theory.

Rebecca Kilner, a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Cambridge and director of the Museum of Zoology, discusses her fascinating studies on burying beetles and their unique behaviors. She shares insights on how these beetles utilize mouse carcasses for nesting, shedding light on social behaviors and evolution. Rebecca also reflects on her journey from researching cuckoo birds to beetles, the challenges of motherhood in academia, and the importance of diversity in science, all while emphasizing the dynamic nature of evolutionary study.