Dr Christopher Duffin
Chris discovered a passion for fossils as a child, searching the Cornbrash for specimens on the margins of the Cotswolds. After completing a degree in Geology, he completed research in Vertebrate Palaeontology at University College London, before becoming a Biology teacher and continuing a steady research output. His study of the vertebrate fauna of the Late Triassic Rhaetic Bone Bed expanded greatly and his interests have also embraced Carbiniferous, Permian, Jurassic and Cretaceous faunas.
In over 200 publications, he has described over 50 new species and genera and he has co-authored the Handbook of Paleoichthyology volume on Palaeozois sharks’ teeth. Chris’ interest in the history of geology has led to numerous papers and four books on the historical links between geology, fossils and medicine and a second PhD in the history of medicine from Kingston University. He has diversified his interests to the fascinating topics surrounding the relationships between fossils and folklore and, in doing so, has bridged the gap between palaeontology, history and sociology.
As well as his academic work, Chris is deeply committed to outreach in most of its forms, from writing popular articles on geology, to attending fossil roadshows, to giving night classes. Over the years, he has gained a reputation as an entertaining guest lecturer at almost all the geological and natural history groups in the southeast of England.