Dead as a Dodo: The Haunted Heritage of Extinction
Step into the haunting world of extinct species with Dolly Jørgensen, Professor of History at the University of Stavanger and leading scholar of environmental humanities. Drawing from her new book Ghosts Behind Glass, Jørgensen explores how natural history museums around the world display the remains of vanished species â and what these encounters reveal about our relationship with extinction.
Through her research across more than 80 museums, she uncovers the storytelling techniques, emotional resonances, and ethical challenges of presenting the âghosts of extinctionâ to the public. In conversation with OUMNHâs own iconic specimens, this talk invites visitors to reflect on the Sixth Mass Extinction and the deep entanglements between humans and nonhumans over time.
After the talk, attendees will have the chance to meet the speaker, view select extinct species from the Museumâs collections, and purchase signed copies of her latest book.
What to expect:
- đ Insights from Ghosts Behind Glass on how museums present extinct species
- đď¸ Reflections on the cultural and emotional impact of extinction displays
- đ Discussion of the Sixth Mass Extinction and human responsibility
- đ A chance to meet the author and explore iconic specimens up close