From Fossils to Flightless Birds: Julia Clarke on Dinosaurs, Kiwis, and… Pies?!

2025-05-27

What do a great pie and a career in science have in common? Paleontologist Julia Clarke, that’s what. As part of the U.S. Embassy Speaker Program, Professor Julia Clarke - one of the world’s top experts on bird evolution and vertebrate paleontology - visited Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with local scientists, students, and conservationists. Julia is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has led expeditions on multiple continents, and her work has been featured in Nature, National Geographic, and

What do a great pie and a career in science have in common? Paleontologist Julia Clarke, that’s what.

As part of the U.S. Embassy Speaker Program, Professor Julia Clarke - one of the world’s top experts on bird evolution and vertebrate paleontology - visited Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with local scientists, students, and conservationists. Julia is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has led expeditions on multiple continents, and her work has been featured in Nature, National Geographic, and Science Friday.

In this episode, Mike chats with Julia about the evolutionary mysteries of flightless birds like the kiwi and moa, what fossils tell us about resilience, and how science diplomacy builds bridges.

And yes, Mike drops the pie question as an analogy:
What gives you comfort and satisfaction in your work?
Julia’s answer? Listen to find out!

Science, laughs, and a side of pastry, served fresh from the US Embassy NZ.

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