Ella Al-Shamahi on Clubhouse

Bio

National Geographic Explorer
Palaeoanthropologist
TV presenter
Stand-up comic

I’m an evolutionary biologist and palaeoanthropologist focusing on scientific expeditions in hostile, disputed and unstable territories (often in caves). My 2019 TED main-stage talk covered why it’s so important to do scientific exploration in neglected places.

I am a presenter for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and PBS. My last two series in Dec were Jungle Mystery: Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon (Channel 4) and Waterhole: An African Oasis (BBC). I have a book coming out on the 25th March on the history and anthropology of the handshake ‘The Handshake: A Gripping History’.

I am passionate about communicating science and trying to find innovative and effective ways to communicate (comedy is part of this... though stand-up also keeps me sane as my expeditions can get dark). I’m fascinated by how to communicate scientific paradigm shifts to the masses. I am also keen to talk to people who are interested in who gets access to science/archaeology and who gets to be a scientist. Trying to not leave communities and people behind.

I’m English but my parents are from Yemen - so anyone who wants to talk initiatives around Yemen, currently home to the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, give me a shout.

Genetics (BSc), Taxonomy & Biodiversity (MSc) and currently undertaking a PhD in palaeoanthropology.