Science writer inspires audience at Hamilton Book Month
Science writer and historian Rebecca Priestley had a full audience during Book Month
The sciences aren’t for everyone, but writer and historian Rebecca Priestley thoroughly entertained her guests at the weekly Book Month event hosted at Waikato University recently.
The scientist turned author and historian has published a number of books in her area, most recently The Awa Book of NZ Science in 2008.
The strong audience of 30 listened carefully as Priestley spoke fondly of her adventures as a science writer.
“I’m one of those people at my age who feels like I still haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up but when I really reflect on what I have done, I really think I have one of the most fun jobs in the world,” Priestley said.
Priestley began her career graduating with a degree in geology at Victoria University.
“I loved the learning about it [science] but the field work was what made me realise I wasn’t cut out to be a scientist.”
So she found a job in science communication instead.
A few years later the she became interested in the history of science and went on to study her PHD looking at New Zealand’s nuclear and radiation history at the University of Canterbury.
This lead to the publication of her book Mad On Radium
With inspiring stories to tell Priestley continued to motivate her audience.
In her work as a science writer Priestley has been ice fishing in Antarctica, enjoyed many helicopter rides, and has been snorkelling with sharks.
“It was never anything on the list of things that I wanted to do in my life but I did find myself doing it.”
Bachelor of Science student Maha Khan said the seminar was inspirational.
”Not only as a junior scientist but as an adventurer, it has opened my eyes to a new world of science and has expanded my understanding that science isn’t just performed in a lab but out in the natural world as well.”
Priestley now works as a senior lecturer at Victoria University alongside writing a weekly science column for the Listener.
Priestley’s articles are available online at Rebecca Priestley – The Listener
