Dr Margaret Davies, Dr Stephen Harris and Dr Anita Hansen, editors and authors of The library at the end of the world, The Royal Society of Tasmania’s latest publication, will discuss the creation of this fascinating new book.
Margaret Davies retired in 2002 from the University of Adelaide after 30 years where she spent 28 years researching the Australo/Papuan frog fauna. She has discovered and named 35 species of frog and authored/co-authored/edited or coedited over 120 publications. She gained her PhD for a study on Uperoleia, a genus of small burrowing frogs that was poorly known (three recognised species when she began working on them – 27 currently named and still increasing!). She is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of South Australia and a Life Member of the Australian Society of Herpetologists. She received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2014 for her contribution to science in the field of herpetology.
Anita Hansen has been an artist all her life, working in Tasmania, interstate and overseas. She holds a Master of Fine Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Plant and Wildlife Illustration and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree. She recently completed her PhD at the University of Tasmania, School of Art, examining the significance of nineteenth century natural history art and belonging. Examination of the collections of major museums, libraries and galleries in Tasmania provided the basis of the study. She is now concentrating on her art practice that is based on natural history and the environment.
Stephen Harris is currently the Principal Research Advisor in the Invasive Species Branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. He was previously the department’s Senior Botanist for over twenty years. He has a Master of Science for ecological studies of Callitris tree species and was awarded a PhD in environmental policy. He has contributed to many national committees and working groups over the years. Dr Harris is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland and has published many scientific papers and books, especially on island ecology. He has a long-standing interest in early scientific exploration and is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London.
Tuesday 2nd September 2014, 8.00 pm
Royal Society Room, Customs House Building, TMAG,
19 Davey St. Hobart
All welcome and admission is free
