Katie Strang
Dr Katie Strang - Ask a Palaeontologist
This month we chat to Katie Strang, Palaeontologist and Consultant working across multiple organisations in Scotland
- Name: Katie Strang (she/her)
- Job: Palaeontologist
- Location: Scotland
What inspired you to become a scientist?
Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been very curious; constantly asking questions and reading loads to understand how things work. And as an adult... I’m still the same! I love to better understand and explore what our amazing geology can tell us not only about our past, but also how it can help us lead a more sustainable future!
What inspired you to become a palaeontologist?
I grew up in a wee village called Burnmouth in the Scottish Borders. Most recently the rocks that outcrop on the beach here have become well known due to the early Carboniferous tetrapod fossils contained in them! Although this research is relatively new, as a kid I always knew the rocks were special and spent most of my childhood exploring the beach and looking for Carboniferous fossils like corals and plants. I like to think fossil hunting is a bit like finding treasure – you’re probably the first human to see that fossil in hundreds of millions of years!! It never gets boring.
Describe your work/job
I work a lot with museums and other organisations doing outreach and consultancy - helping them to better understand and promote the importance of their fossil collections. I also do a lot of fieldwork which I LOVE! I get to be outside collecting samples of fossils and the rocks they are found in, helping us to better understand these past environments. I’m also a Trustee of the Scottish Geology Trust and lead on our engagement theme, where I’m currently organising this year’s Scottish Geology Festiva.
What’s the best part of your job?
I love getting to speak to people and teach them about fossils, hopefully inspiring the next generation of geologists and palaeontologists! And being outside looking at rocks or course!
What other jobs have you done?
I had lots of jobs while I was at University to help support my studies; from call centres, to clubs and bars, to clothes shops! Where I grew up has a huge fishing community so I have also worked in a prawn factory..!
What were your favourite subjects at school?
Art and biology
Where did you study geoscience/palaeontology?
I did my undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences and my masters in Evolutionary Biology, both at the University of Glasgow. I then undertook my PhD in palaeontology at Durham University.
What hobbies do you have outside of palaeontology?
I love going to gigs and listening to records (preferably heavy/alternative music!), getting tattooed and visiting new places!
What is your favourite fossil?
This is a really hard question because it can change depending on what I have found recently! But I would probably have to go with coprolites.. aka fossilised poop! I am working on a site where 330-million-year-old fish and shark coprolites are super abundant and really well preserved, you can find bits of bone and scales inside them!
What’s your favourite place that you have travelled to study palaeontology?
I love travelling the world but my favourite place to study palaeontology is always Scotland
Why is it important for us to study palaeontology?
There are many reasons but one which is super important at the moment is that scientists are currently debating whether we are entering a sixth mass extinction event brought about by present day climate change.. This means it is important for scientists to understand what happened during previous mass extinction events throughout geological history, and how different species were affected by such events – only possible by researching the fossil record. This information can help us better understand the future challenges we may face because of climate change and help us implement measures to avoid another mass extinction event.
What advice would you give to somebody interested in becoming a palaeontologist?
Always be yourself and remember that ANYONE can be a scientist! And always keep your eyes open.. you never know where you could find fossils!
Katie online
- Follow Katie on Twitter @palaeokatie
- Follow Katie on Instagram @scottishfossils