Rob Theodore - Ask a Palaeontologist

4 Oct 2022

This month we chat to Rob Theodore, Exhibitions and Display Coordinator at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge UK

• Name: Rob Theodore
• Job: Exhibitions and Display Coordinator
• Location: Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge UK

What inspired you to become a scientist?

I’ve had an interest in learning about the natural world since I was a young child. I would read natural history books and explore the fields the surrounded my house on the edge of the Fens in Cambridgeshire.

What inspired you to become a palaeontologist?

Two things - I’m part of the generation who experienced Jurassic Park as children and that was really important in helping cement my interest, but visiting the Natural History Museum in London for my birthdays as a young child and seeing Dippy the Diplodocus’ skeleton for the first time would be my main inspiration.

Describe your work/job.

My role is really varied. I am part of the museum’s public engagement team with a focus on developing and delivering the exhibitions and display programme. I work with researchers to showcase their work in the galleries and also work with people in the local community on exhibitions curated with them. This includes the practical sides design, text writing, mount-making and installations. I also support with the day-to-day running of the museum galleries - talking to visitors, doing object IDs along with aspects of museum maintenance and security.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job changes day to day, but two things stick with me. I am lucky enough to have keys to the cabinets in the museum and I can literally unlock 4.5 billion years’ worth of history whenever I like. The other thing I love the most is being able to share my passion for palaeontology with people on a daily basis, whether it is visitors or colleagues. Working in an Earth Sciences museum means there is rarely a point where it feels awkward to share my interest in the subject and I like to think my enthusiasm helps create an environment where others can feel comfortable and want share to.

What other jobs have you done?

My first job was working in a local car spares shop and then working for a large clothing store between university terms. My first museum job was front of house at Peterborough Museum during my Museum Studies Masters.  

What were your favourite subjects at school?

My favourite subject was art, followed by biology and design and technology. I am lucky I get to use all of them at work.

Where did you study geoscience/palaeontology?

I studied Palaeobiology and Evolution at Portsmouth University. I studied Museum Studies at Post-Graduate level and was lucky enough to have a palaeontologist as my supervisor there.

What hobbies do you have outside of palaeontology?

I am a keen cyclist and enjoy drawing and cooking, especially smoking and BBQ-ing. I follow Crystal Palace FC and Saracens RFC. I am a big hip hop fan and I enjoy both listening to the music and exploring the culture - I have a big collection of trainers! I read when I can and my favourite author is Carson McCullers. 

What is your favourite fossil?

My favourite fossil changes often - Right now my favourite fossil has to be our Iguanodon thumb-spike from Bedfordshire. It is in the casts next to our Iguanodon cast from Belgium and I love talking to our visitors about it.

What’s your favourite place that you have travelled to study palaeontology?

I went on a field trip to Germany during my undergraduate degree and visited some fantastic museums with incredible specimens. I think this really firmed up my interest in focusing on a career in museums.

Why is it important for us to study palaeontology?

Palaeontology is an incredibly useful subject where we learn about ancient life, ecosystems, environments and landscapes and how they change over time. This gives us so much information on how our present and future may look, particularly around climate-change and biodiversity.

What advice would you give to somebody interested in becoming a palaeontologist?

Spend time in museums and/or fossil hunting so you can see fossils up close and find people to talk to who share your interests. You will be able to learn and share so much from each other.

Rob online

• Follow Rob on Twitter - @RobTheodore
• Follow the Sedgwick Museum on Twitter - @SedgwickMuseum