We believe that science communication and storytelling are fundamental parts of the scientific process.
Through our research and science communication, we want to make science a fundamental and natural part of everyday conversation.
pbs series
Human Footprint
We occupy vast cities covering 10 percent of Earth’s land. Much of the rest we’ve covered with farms and pastures. We extract energy and raw materials from the Earth, divert and block rivers, and harvest food from the sea. We transport our bodies, products, and other species around the globe at will. And we do it not simply in service of basic biological needs, but to satisfy other, uniquely human desires… power, self-expression, curiosity.
In Human Footprint, Biologist Shane Campbell-Staton travels the world to explore our global impact. In his quest, Shane discovers that although we often tell ourselves what it means to be human, the clearest vision of who we are emerges from what we do. In that way, Human Footprint is a journey not only to understand our human impacts, but to explore our human nature.
Earth is home to more than 10 million species. Yet the actions of one species – humans – affect every other. The planet has never experienced anything like it: a single species that dominates and reshapes the world.
Explore episodes
The Biology of Superheroes Podcast
Comic books and science fiction have captivated and sparked the imagination of society for decades. Stories of superhumans, giant monsters, and other bizarre biological phenomena stretch our imagination and force us to ponder the limits of possibility in the natural world.
In this ongoing podcast series, Scientist Shane Campbell-Staton (Princeton University) and Superhero Expert Arien Darby (Warner Brothers) combine graphic novels, movies and television with cutting edge science and research to explore bizarre phenomena in the natural world.
About the podcast
We explore the biological underpinnings of superhero powers and track the boundary of where science meets fiction. Hosted by evolutionary biologist Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton and featuring scientist guests from all over the world, this podcast dives deep into the realm of the natural and supernatural.
Shane has also appeared on some other podcasts too, including:
“In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.”
Check out Shane’s 2023 TED talk
How life on earth adapts to you and me
additional media
We use podcasts, television, and film as storytelling tools to attract a broad and diverse audience to science.
Check out some of the films we’ve been featured in:
Anoles in the city
Smithsonian channel
Crested anoles are adept at city living – whether in Puerto Rico or Miami. Understanding why is an important part of figuring out the impact of urbanization. Studies have revealed that some species adapt quickly to new conditions – developing the physical changes they need to survive. It’s a fact that bodes well for the ability of a species to handle change, as we ourselves continue to be the agents of that change.
The Science of an Extreme Animal Athlete
HHMI BioInteractive
Biologist Shane Campbell-Staton studies how deer mice living on mountaintops stay warm and active. In this video, Campbell-Staton teams up with two colleagues, who also happen to be long-distance runners, to investigate the adaptations that allow some mice to survive long, harsh winters at high elevations.
The Genetics of Tusklessness in Elephants
HHMI BioInteractive
Normally, more than 90% of female African elephants have tusks. But in places that have a history of poaching and trophy hunting, like in Gorongosa National Park, tuskless females are surprisingly common. To better understand how the tuskless trait is evolving, we wanted to find out which genes are responsible for tusk development.