For the inaugural presentation of The John S. Steiner Endowed Lecture Series, Award-Winning Marine Biologist, Dr. David Shiffman, is visiting The University of Alabama’s Math and Science Education Building (Room 1001) on September 16, 2023 at 11:00 am to give a free presentation on “Why Sharks Matter: The Science and Policy of Saving Sharks” and sign copies of his book, Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator. To register for this event, visitors can use the museum’s online form. Immediately following the lecture, there will be a reception and book signing with light refreshments at the Alabama Museum of Natural History’s Grand Gallery in Smith Hall.
About the Speaker
Dr. David Shiffman is an interdisciplinary marine conservation biologist who studies threatened sharks and how to protect them. He is research faculty at Arizona State University’s Washington, DC campus. His writings have appeared in National Geographic, The Washington Post, Scientific American, and a monthly column in Scuba Diving Magazine. Follow him on social media @WhySharksMatter (on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) where he’s always happy to answer any questions anyone has about sharks.
“People are interested in sharks. They have misconceptions about them and things they’d like to know more about and I see it as part of my job to talk to the public,” said Dr. David Shiffman. “I have been traveling all over the world talking about Why Sharks Matter. The University of Alabama will be my 58th talk. I absolutely love doing this and am excited to see the Alabama Museum of Natural History and meet with students.”
Why Sharks Matter
Sharks are some of the most fascinating, most ecologically important, most misunderstood, and most threatened animals on Earth. Learn all about them from marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman, the author of the new book, Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator. In Why Sharks Matter, marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman explains why it’s crucial that we overcome our misconceptions and rise above cinematic jump scares to embrace sharks as the imperiled and elegant ocean guardians they really are. Exploring the core tenets of shark conservation science and policy, Shiffman synthesizes decades of scientific research and policymaking, weaving it into a narrative full of humor and adventure. Touching on everything from Shark Week to shark fin soup, overfishing to marine sanctuaries, Shiffman reveals why sharks are in trouble, why we should care, and how we can save them. Perfect for shark enthusiasts, Why Sharks Matter is an approachable, informative guide to the world of shark conservation and the passionate, fascinating, brilliant people who work to understand and protect our oceans. This fun read will have you looking at sharks with a fresh perspective and an understanding that the survival of sharks is crucial to the survival of another apex predator—ourselves.
About the Event
The talk is being presented by The John S. Steiner Endowed Lecture Series, The University of Alabama Museums, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, and The University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences. The John S. Steiner lecture series includes public lectures on a variety of topics in disciplines emphasized by The University of Alabama Museums such as anthropology, archaeology, biology, geology, paleontology, and history. The lectures aim to target a broad audience that may not typically attend on-campus seminars and will include speakers that are known for being able to discuss science or historical/cultural research with non-academic audiences and engage them in discussions about cutting-edge research.
“I am thrilled that David Shiffman is speaking at The University of Alabama. David is a well-known interdisciplinary marine conservation biologist with an unrivaled passion for the conservation of sharks and for educating the public about why we should all care about conserving these fascinating creatures,” said Dr. John Friel, Director of the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
How to Register
Please fill out this online form so that we know how many people to expect at the event.
Date/Time
The presentation will be given at the Math and Science Education Building on September 16, 2023 at 11:00 am, with a book signing immediately following at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
Admission
This presentation is offered for free!
Location
The presentation will be given at the Math and Science Education Building (Room 1001) on The University of Alabama campus. The street address is 411 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.
The book signing will be held at the Alabama Museum of Natural History (right across the street from the presentation location in Smith Hall on The University of Alabama campus), immediately following the presentation. The street address is 427 Sixth Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
Directions
From Birmingham: Take Interstate 20/59 S to Tuscaloosa exit 73, McFarland Blvd. Head West on McFarland Blvd toward the University of Alabama. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).
From Montgomery: Take Hwy 82 W to Tuscaloosa. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).
Parking
The map below shows the closest free and paid parking areas (VW Beetles) on the UA campus to Smith Hall (ALMNH logo) that can be used by museum visitors. There are five dedicated visitor parking spaces in the lot behind Smith Hall that can be accessed from Hackberry Drive. In addition, there is a parking deck located at Campus Drive and Hackberry Lane. The cost for visitor parking in the deck is $1 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour. To reach the parking deck, take Hackberry Lane to Campus Drive East, and the parking deck is on the right.
Public Transportation
The Tuscaloosa Trolley runs from the city’s downtown parking deck to campus.
Visit the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority website to find the downtown deck and a map of the trolley’s University Shuttle Route.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please email Dr. John Friel jpfriel@ua.edu or call 205-348-2136.