The Surprising Truth about Storytelling: A Conversation with Broadcaster Lucy Cooke about Science, Satire, Sloths, and Sex

Discussion: 5:30-6:30 p.m. with book signing and reception to follow

In this conversation, award-winning science storyteller Lucy Cooke discusses her work as a multimedia broadcaster, myth slayer, and writer. As an explorer for National Geographic, a presenter for BBC, and a New York Times bestselling author, she has written and produced stories about the natural world, from reporting on the amphibian extinction to award-winning sloth documentaries to a TED Talk the sexual exploits of hyenas. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and Scientific American and on NPR, the BBC, and more. With four bestselling science books to her name and another in the works, Lucy has in her recent written work told the truth about animals and exposed the ignorance of great minds by uncovering their inherent gender-based bias and revealing the true nature of females to be anything but placid, modest, and monogamous. Translating the scientific discoveries of animal species into dynamic stories, she has given voice to those without, including the animals and the scientists who studied them. She is at heart a storyteller, with a reputation for mixing rigorous cutting-edge science, in-depth investigation, and a wry sense of humor to reveal surprising truths about the natural world.

Lucy Cooke will be signing copies of her books The Truth About Animals and Bitch: On the Female of the Species following the event. A limited number of books will be available for purchase on site.

Speakers

Lucy Cooke is a National Geographic explorer, New York Times bestselling author, TED talker, and award-winning broadcaster with a master’s in zoology from New College Oxford, where she studied under Richard Dawkins. Lucy has written and presented natural-history documentaries for BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, and Discovery. In 2023, she was profiled on CBS’s 60 Minutes and appeared on dozens of podcasts. She is a columnist for BBC wildlife magazine and has also written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Nautilus and Scientific American. Her first book, The Truth About Animals, was short-listed for the prestigious Royal Society prize and has been translated into 18 languages. Her latest bestseller, Bitch: On the Female of the Species, has been placed on the syllabus of major international universities including Princeton, Rutgers, UCL, Utrecht, and Durham.

Moderated by Louise A. Rosen, Senior Associate Dean, Administrative Affairs and Communications; Lecturer in International and Public Affairs

Introductory remarks by Marguerite Holloway, Professor of Professional Practice; Director of Science and Environmental Journalism

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