Simon Watt thinks frogs are among the most fascinating and freaky species on our planet. There are frogs that are among the most lethally poisonous animal on earth, frogs that break their bones and pierce their flesh to act as knives, frogs that soar through the skies and even frogs that can survive freezing.
Frogs are useful too and studying them has led to some surprising benefits for us. Research into their biology has helped create the first pregnancy tests, cloning technology, psychedelic drugs, potential cures for cancer, magnetic levitation and a new wave of antibiotics.
Frogs might be brilliant but, sadly, they are dying out. In this comedic lecture Simon Watt explores why frogs are better than most people he knows and how studying them has changed the world.
Simon Watt is a biologist, writer, science communicator and TV presenter. He runs “Ready Steady Science”, a science communication company committed to making information interesting and takes science based performances into schools, museums, theatres and festivals. He is MC/president for life of the “Ugly Animal Preservation Society” which is a comedy night with a conservation twist. As a writer he has written dozens of articles for national newspapers and websites including The Times, The Sunday Times and the Huffington Post. He is perhaps best known as a presenter on the BAFTA winning documentary series Inside Nature’s Giants and the Channel 4 special The Elephant: Life After Death..
Sofia Science Festival
15 May, 20.00 | Main Stage | 18+ | ticketed