TalkScience@BL - ‘What’s in a name? – Taxonomy in crisis’ (London)
TalkScience@BL is a quarterly café scientifique format event series at the British Library (London), exploring varied topical issues in science.
Prof. Rod Page of Glasgow University will introduce the subject, followed by a discussion among the audience.
This provocative title aims to stimulate discussion on the following questions:
• Why does taxonomy matter?
• Why are taxonomists unhappy, and is it partly their own fault?
• We don't know how many species remain undescribed but does this matter?
• Cybertaxonomy and the ‘dance of the initiatives’ – is more money the answer?
• Mickey mouse and taxonomy – how do we deal with copyright and other obstacles to sharing data?
• Who would want to be a taxonomist in the 21st century?
If you’d like to attend, please book a free ticket by visiting the British Library box office.
In the mean time, a discussion forum was set up on Nature Network, so please feel free to have a look and contribute. It provides opportunities to discuss issues before and after the event, and also provides an opportunity for those who can’t attend to voice their opinions.