Wildlife expert puts Teesside University research in the spotlight
The dark world of the illegal wildlife trade will be explored by forensic scientist Dr Desiré Dalton in the second of Teesside University’s Spotlight series.
Dr Dalton, who has a wealth of experience working with wildlife, will share how international crime syndicates use sophisticated methods to take advantage of transport networks, the internet and social media to trade in animals and plants.
Hidden in Plain Sight examines the magnitude of this practice and looks at what is being done to curb this illicit trade and protect animals and their habitats.
- Hidden in Plain Sight can be heard at The Regent Cinema in Redcar, at 6.30pm on Tuesday 21 May.
In the first of the Spotlight series, which launched this month, an audience packed into The Link in Stockton, where there were enthralled by forensic scientist Dr Rhys Williams, who gave a fascinating talk entitled Demystifying Death. His talk provided an interesting insight into forensic investigations following unexplained deaths.
Spotlight is a series of talks aimed to inspire, intrigue and entertain audiences across the Tees Valley, sharing the University’s academic expertise in everyday subjects with the local communities it serves.
Locations for the Spotlight series have been carefully chosen, taking place in venues across Teesside, with other events in the series to be held in Redcar, Middlesbrough and Saltburn.
The Spotlight talk calendar will also include author and film-maker Dr Ben Lamb sharing insight into the evolution of the television police drama, while tourism expert Beverley Boden, will examine the growing popularity in dark tourism.
- You’re Nicked! – The Courtroom, Middlesbrough Town Hall. Wednesday 5 June 2024
Dr Ben Lamb will trace development of the cop shop genre from Dixon of Dock Green to Happy Valley, via The Sweeney, The Bill, and Cracker. This talk will look at how police dramas have borrowed elements from social realism, melodrama, the soap opera, sci-fi, and action series to determine how the genre has developed alongside modern British society.
- The Darker Side of Travel – Saltburn Arts Centre. Tuesday 25 June 2024
Tourism expert Beverley Boden looks at the rise in dark tourism, as demand grows for macabre attractions and disturbing experiences which recreate horrific moments in history. Her talk will look at how holidaymakers are shunning beach trips for visits to the site of a nuclear disaster zone, the home of a serial killer or the execution chamber of a former state prison.
Lauren Bradshaw, Deputy Director of Communications & Development at Teesside University, said: “Spotlight is our way of connecting with neighbouring communities and engaging with audiences on their own doorsteps, taking our expertise out into the region, to showcase our research and create connections.
“Our first Spotlight event was a huge success and launched at a packed venue, with an audience captivated by an insightful talk from Dr Rhys Williams. We’re looking forward to our future Spotlight events and welcoming this opportunity to shine a light on the many aspects of our academic research which is making a real impact in the world each day.”
It is FREE admission to all of the talks and they all start at 6.30pm. Find out more and book a free place - Spotlight | Teesside University
Ahead of her talk, Dr Desiré Dalton spoke to Talking Teesside about her work, which began in her native South Africa. Read more https://blogs.tees.ac.uk/talkingteesside/2024/04/10/des-puts-wildlife-conservation-in-the-spotlight/
ENDS
Michelle Ruane
Communications Co-ordinator
m.ruane@tees.ac.uk