Convos with Chordates presents: The science behind Extroverts vs Introverts

Where would we find you at a party: Mingling and meeting everyone in the room? Standing in a corner scrolling through your calendar pretending there is something wildly urgent in there? Who are we kidding, you didn’t even go to the party, but you were keen to be invited.

Wherever you sit on the extroverted-introverted spectrum, we’ve got an event for you. You’re invited for a live episode of Convos with Chordates, a podcast where two scientists talk to fellow chordates (aka humans) unscientifically. For National Science week, two unapologetically loud extroverts and two quietly proclaimed introverts will go head-to-head with science facts, personal unscientific anecdotes, and delightfully chaotic commentary. Come for the laughs, stay for the unexpected insights, and leave with a fresh take on where you sit on the extro-introverted scale.

Meet the MC:

Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, is a science comedian and poet who avoids conversation by only speaking in fun science facts. Invited to a dinner of fish and chips? Did you know the parrot fish lives in a bubble of its own snot? Classic. How was your day? Did you know on Venus a day is longer than a year? Totally normal stuff. She then returns to the quiet darkness to keep working on her science poems.

Meet your chordate hosts: 

Dr. Anastasia Shavrova is an award-winning university educator passionate about making science fun and accessible. You can often find her mingling with people at the party spilling spider sex facts or giving lectures on the evolution of weird sex behaviours across the animal kingdom.  

Dr. Sammy Burke is a science communicator dedicated to increasing science accessibility and visibility. An accredited ocean nerd, she’ll talk your ear off at a tide pool; but don’t let that fool you. While some confuse her for an extrovert, you’ll likely find her at home under a duvet with a cup of tea and a good book.

Meet the guests:

Dr. Inna Osmolovsky is a plant ecologist passionate about showing that science is fun and accessible. It is no surprise she chose to study plants: they are comfortable with long silences and will never ask about the weather. While she now frequently emerges from her bubble, her safe space includes more books than humans. 

Just Dave, is a self-proclaimed expert in nothing and everything at the same time, purely because he loves listening to others.Without a formal degree, he built his career by following curiosity wherever it led, usually into the gaps where people struggle to understand each other.
Think of him as the low-budget version of a peace negotiator, minus the suit, quietly making people around him shine.