Specimens

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 009, Elle chats with Madison about leaving her background in Biological Sciences to become a Scientific Illustrator, moving to Australia where she begun training as a preparator and taxidermist and her thoughts on sci-art as a tool for conservation outreach. Show Notes and Further Reading  Madison Erin Mayfield www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield www.madisonerinmayfield.com www.twitter.com/MEMIllustrationmayfield Purchase Specimens Merch – Designed by Madison https://www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch Elle Kaye/Specimens www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod Field Museum, Chicago https://www.fieldmuseum.org/ Sibley Field Guides https://www.audubon.org/sibley-field-guides Certificate in Natural Science Illustration at the University of Washington https://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/natural-science-illustration   Further Reading on Scientific Illustration  https://www.fi.edu/blog/scientific-illustration-what-is-it#:~:text=These%20artists%20draw%20or%20render,accurate%20representations%20of%20the%20subject. Queensland Museum, Brisbane https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/ California State University Monterey Bay Science Illustration Course https://csumb.edu/scienceillustration/ Guild of Natural Science Illustrators https://www.gnsi.org/ Madison's Book Recommendations for Beginners wanting to get into Scientific Illustration Scientific Illustration by Phyllis Wood The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Music Giraffes – Harrison Amer via PremiumBeat.com Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield Concept/Title © 2020 Elle Kaye

Dakota Gould, an award-winning taxidermist specializing in custom form taxidermy, shares her fascinating journey from aspiring archaeologist to recognized expert in her field. She discusses the interplay of art and science in taxidermy, emphasizing the importance of anatomical accuracy and firsthand animal observation. Dakota also reflects on her emotional experiences at the World Taxidermy Championships and the industry’s evolving perception, particularly after the documentary 'Stuffed.' Her passionate connection to nature and family dynamics adds depth to her unique vocation.

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 007, Elle speaks with Simon Moore about his incredible wealth of professional experience, the conservation techniques he has helped to develop, the specimens he has worked with over the years and the inside world of a museum conservator. Show Notes, IG Links and Further Reading Simon Moore Website http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/   Simon Moore Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Natural-History-Conservation-119346798095177   Elle Kaye IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy   Specimens Pod Socials www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod www.linktree.com/specimenspod   NEW Specimens Pod Merchandise https://www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch   Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield http://madisonerinmayfield.com/   The Natural History Museum https://www.nhm.ac.uk/   UK Guild of Taxidermists https://www.taxidermy.org.uk/   SPNHC – The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections https://spnhc.org/   Natural History Sciences Association https://natsca.org/   NATSCA Biological Curators Group https://natsca.org/biology-curators-group-newsletter   Japanese Tissue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tissue   The National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/   Beatrix Potter Cabinet of Natural History Specimens http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/BeatrixPotter.htm   Grant Museum UCL https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/grant-museum-zoology   Peacock Jumping Spider Dancing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qkzwG2lLPc   The World of Spiders – W.S. Bristowe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14893920-the-world-of-spiders   Brian Hargreaves - Illustrator https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Hargreaves#:~:text=Brian%20Hargreaves%20FRSA%2C%20FRES%20(1935,for%20his%20depictions%20of%20Lepidoptera   Music Giraffes – Harrison Amer via PremiumBeat.com   Edited and Produced by Elle Kaye Concept/Title © 2020 Elle Kaye  

TRIGGER WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES DEATH, HUMAN REMAINS, SUICIDE, MISCARIRAGE, STILLBIRTH AND SELF-HARM. Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 006, Elle chats with Lara-Rose about becoming an APT, working for an NHS mortuary, her experience during the Covid-19 pandemic and her passion around the subject of maternal death. Show Notes, IG Links and Further Reading Lara's Instagram www.instagram.com/deathbeforeduckface Lara's Twitter https://twitter.com/OnTheArrow Alder Hay Scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alder_Hey_organs_scandal AAPT Website https://www.aaptuk.org/  Human Tissue Act https://www.hta.gov.uk/policies/human-tissue-act-2004 'Stiff' - Mary Roach https://www.waterstones.com/book/stiff/mary-roach/9780141007458 Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/mbrrace-uk https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/downloads/files/mbrrace-uk/reports/MBRRACE-UK%20Maternal%20Report%202018%20-%20Web%20Version.pdf Further Reading https://www.bma.org.uk/bma-media-centre/deeply-worrying-ons-data-highlights-need-to-protect-bame-communities-from-covid-19-warns-bma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidential_Enquiry_into_Maternal_Deaths_in_the_UK Five X More https://www.fivexmore.com/ MBRRACE and the disproportionate number of BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) deaths - AIMS Scientific Journal https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/mbrrace-bame Racial Bias in Pain Assessment - PNAS Scientific Journal  https://www.pnas.org/content/113/16/4296 Post-Mortem Cancer Study  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/cancer-news/press-release/2016-05-13-post-mortem-cancer-study-goes-national  Cancer Research PEACE Study https://www.wired.co.uk/article/cancer-research-peace-study Lara/APT Job Profiles https://www.prospects.ac.uk/case-studies/senior-anatomical-pathology-technologist-lara-rose-iredale   https://sciencecouncil.org/showcasing-science-life-of-an-apt/ Louis Theroux - 'Mothers on the Edge' Documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00052dk  Elle Kaye IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield http://madisonerinmayfield.com/ www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield Specimens Podcast  www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod Music  Harrison Amer - Giraffes via Premium Beat Edited and Produced by Elle Kaye Title/Concept © 2020 Elle Kaye   

TRIGGER WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES REMAINS OF BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL, AND ALSO HUMAN FETUSES AND MISCARRIAGE  Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 005, Elle chats with Gerard about inadvertently committing criminal offences through his artistic practice, discovering diaphonization and skeletal articulation, and his recent work as a science educator across Australia.  Show Notes, IG Links and Further Reading Gerard's IG www.instagram.com/articulated_imagination  Gerard's Website www.gerard-geer.com Gerard's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gerardgeer.art/ Literature https://www.theboneman.com/bone-building-books Workshops https://gerard-geer.com/workshop Brumby (for the UK folk) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brumby Elle Kaye IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield http://madisonerinmayfield.com/ www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield Specimens Podcast  www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod Music  Harrison Amer - Giraffes via Premium Beat Edited and Produced by Elle Kaye Title/Concept © 2020 Elle Kaye 

TRIGGER WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES REMAINS OF BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL, AND ALSO HUMAN FETUSES AND MISCARRIAGE  Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 005, Elle chats with Gerard about inadvertently committing criminal offences through his artistic practice, discovering diaphonization and skeletal articulation, and his recent work as a science educator across Australia.  Show Notes, IG Links and Further Reading Gerard's IG www.instagram.com/articulated_imagination  Gerard's Website www.gerard-geer.com Gerard's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gerardgeer.art/ Literature https://www.theboneman.com/bone-building-books Workshops https://gerard-geer.com/workshop Brumby (for the UK folk) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brumby Elle Kaye IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield http://madisonerinmayfield.com/ www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield Specimens Podcast  www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod Music  Harrison Amer - Giraffes via Premium Beat Edited and Produced by Elle Kaye Title/Concept © 2020 Elle Kaye 

TRIGGER WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES DEATH AND REMAINS BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 004, Elle chats with Lauren about becoming a pet mortician, coping with her death anxiety, and her experience in death positive situations such as a living funeral. Show Notes, IG Links and Further Reading  Lauren’s Website http://www.preciouscreaturetaxidermy.com/ Lauren’s IG www.instagram.com/preciouscreature Steady Waves End of Life Care – Living Funeral Ceremonies https://steadywaveseol.com/ Bolivian Funeral Celebrations https://frazerconsultants.com/2017/10/cultural-spotlight-bolivian-funeral-traditions/ Día de los Muertos https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/mexico/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico/ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/ Further reading on cultural practices that honour the dead https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/03/160314-pictures-death-ritual-funeral-burial-ceremony-people-culture/ https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/00000153-3e1f-d365-a5d3-3f5f4a300000 https://www.britannica.com/list/7-unique-burial-rituals-across-the-world https://ideas.ted.com/11-fascinating-funeral-traditions-from-around-the-globe/ Elle Kaye IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield http://madisonerinmayfield.com/ www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield Specimens Podcast  www.instagram.com/specimenspod www.twitter.com/specimenspod

Join entomologist Susan Askew, a lepidopterist who specializes in insect conservation and education, as she shares her unique journey from childhood fascination to creating art with sustainably sourced insects. Discover the whimsical world of moths and butterflies, and learn why we shouldn't fear insects. Susan discusses overcoming misconceptions and explores the importance of integrating insect education in schools. Join her in advocating for conservation efforts and fostering a deeper appreciation for these often-overlooked creatures!

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens. In episode 002, Elle chats with Sarah about her experience as an ecologist, working as a natural history restorer, and her work with orphaned wildlife in South Africa. Show Notes, Instagram Links and Further Reading RSBP https://www.rspb.org.uk/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/langford-lowfields/?fbclid=IwAR1J-3VjT4eLiUQyqdimZwnIJWeulqTP3I_VuYSTxN4hMsmg_jcT2wXdCN8 BIRDWORLD https://birdworld.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2z3s3McqM_Sn1WzUngudfX4UZMbD0ke4k-s4_SyCTqyAymNYYE7EDZ_MY EMEC Ecology http://www.emec-ecology.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0VSWYC4Oo_JBjg_jGUSpbvtUJgknQENy4VP8wmdV39NcKHGlodutlMoLg DANES http://www.danes-insects.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1qAWchrNLH72B7XOzLBYMsQaqJMe7EsxpkRAGJY0juglymEzshdciVOiM Nottinghamshire Wildlife https://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/?fbclid=IwAR19JtHRWdEJRZvh3hJY6MUc3SgXoTxiGsn9IVsxW8PwBSbEf0dvzkunBRQ Bird 'JIZZ' definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jizz_(birding) African Conservation Experience https://www.conservationafrica.net/?fbclid=IwAR0-MDHDUULBdmzpuKWh2MxDMKXlcVOz9Y3CtPva371caVQz-KWs4sAwP1Q Nottingham Natural History Museum https://wollatonhall.org.uk/hall-and-museum/natural-history-museum/ Access Artefacts Nottingham https://nottinghammuseums.org.uk/learn/access-artefacts/ UK Guild of Taxidermists https://taxidermy.org.uk/ Art of Taxidermy Piglet Taxidermy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yl9aNLWsD4 Sarah Burhouse www.instagram.com/birdhousetaxidermy https://birdhousetaxidermy.co.uk/ Elle Kaye/IG www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy www.instagram.com/specimenspod Artwork © 2020 Madison Erin Mayfield  http://madisonerinmayfield.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield/ Music - Giraffes by Harrison Amer via PremiumBeat Edited and Produced by Elle Kaye     

Ken Walker, a three-time world champion taxidermist with over 40 years of experience, dives deep into the art and science of taxidermy. He shares his journey from rural Canada to creating a life-size Sasquatch model and explores the ethical dimensions of his craft. Ken discusses modern techniques that blend artistry with science, emphasizing the importance of community and resilience in the field. He also reflects on the emotional connections of taxidermy and the intricate processes behind his work, revealing the profound relationship between life, death, and nature.