#59 Nerd Nite

Nerd Nite 59 is fast approaching!! For this show archaeologist Dr Andy Herries will talk about how he has uncovered ancient human ancestors in Africa’s caves, John Franceschini will highlight the evolving role of chemistry in crime solving over the past century and Lex will be talking about sex baby!Be there or be square!

Andy Herries – Andy and a (lot of) bones and the caverns of doom?

Description: When most people think of archaeology, they think of Indiana Jones or perhaps that latest Netflix special on ancient apocalypses or caves of bones. Palaeoanthropology is the study of ancient humans and their behaviour and because human fossils are so rare palaeoanthropologists tend to disagree a lot about who we are, where we come from and how we got to where we are today. Some of us love Indiana Jones (but not that one with the Aliens), others don’t. One thing we all agree on is that many shows on Netflix at their best blur the lines between archaeology and pseudoarchaeology. Take a ride with me exploring the real story behind the search for our earliest ancestors in the caverns of Africa, and the discovery of a 3 year old’s skull that turned out to be the world’s oldest Homo erectus.

Bio: Once described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘Indiana Bones’ my grandmother used to tell me I wanted to be an archaeologist since I was three, asking for her toffee hammer to go into the garden to break rocks, and I’ve never really evolved beyond this, which is somewhat ironic for someone that studies human evolution. My two main passions are caves and skulls (and recently tennis), and that’s what I spend my time doing when not teaching at the University, taking students to try and find fossils of their ancient ancestors in caves in Africa. They’ve been pretty good at it too, finding the world’s oldest Homo erectus, the ancestor species of us all, and a skull of a weird vegetarian cousin.

Socials: @andy_the_archaeologist (Instagram)

John Franceschini – A Century of Forensic Chemistry

Description: I’m fascinated by chemicals and their impact on our lives. Chemicals both cause issues and solve problems in our day to day lives- chemists were once a revered part of society- why has that changed over the years? Join me as I explore a century of forensic chemistry – the science of analysing materials found at the scene of a crime!

Bio: I love Science and particularly Chemistry. I am a Chartered Chemist which is an old-fashioned term meaning Nerd at Work. I see myself as the current caretaker of an entity that has a life of its own- the oldest chemical laboratory in Australia. It has survived for 102 years through floods, famines, fires, explosions, depressions, wars, financial crises, covid, and worst of all- a Road Project!

Socials: @JFranceschini  (Twitter/X)

Lex Nyree – Sex with Lex

Description: How much do you know about sexual health? Do you think you received comprehensive sex education? Lex will make you think about what you know about sexual health and you will leave the talk with a broader knowledge of sexual health.

Bio: Living in Brunswick with her sausage dog Frank, Lex is a sexology student with a dedication toward sexual health and sex education. Lex has a passion for reducing sexual health stigma, and normalising the parts of sex that may be taboo. Her special interest is in kink.  Currently completing her Master of Sexology with a background in youth and social work, Lex aims to provide sex education for those who do not have access to it.  Lex spends her spare time collaborating online with other sexologists to create content, as well as volunteering at local organisations to provide free sex education at sex on premises events.

Socials: @sexwithlexmelb (Instagram)