This seminar is delivered by Human Scientist from Oxford, Alfie Dry.

From the blockbuster Jaws to sensationalised news stories, sharks are often painted as bloodthirsty villains, feeding into widespread panic and calls for mass cullings. When a fatal attack occurs, a local shark population purge is often the legalised response, furthering the mistaken belief that sharks are an enemy.

A new suggestion, however, posits that ‘problem sharks’ (which behave more aggressively and target humans) are not just a horror movie trope. Aiming to reduce mass slaughterings and improve the public perception of sharks as a species, this theory suggests that only these rare erratic individuals need to be identified and eliminated.

Through the lenses of biology, psychology, and media studies, we’ll explore how our perceptions of sharks are shaped and what’s at stake for conservation. Is the theory of the ‘problem shark’ a dead end? Or could it provide a new insight into the world under the waves?

Thursday 2nd January:

9:30am - 10:30am GMT (5:30pm - 6:30pm HKT) - Join

5:30pm - 6:30pm GMT - Join