‘Gory Details’: UWG to Welcome National Geographic Writer Engelhaupt to Explore Science’s Strangest Questions Share this page
If you’ve ever found yourself captivated by a bizarre fact, an unsettling mystery or a question too strange not to ask, mark your calendar for Oct. 28, when National Geographic writer and editor Erika Engelhaupt, author of “Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science,” will take the stage at the University of West Georgia’s Townsend Center for the Performing Arts for an entertaining evening exploring the surprising science behind humanity’s oddest curiosities.
It’s these curiosities that inspired College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Interim Dean Clint Samples to coordinate with the Dr. James ‘Earl’ Perry College of Mathematics, Computing and Sciences to invite the high-profile author to UWG.
“October is a premier month for events on campus, especially in CHASS,” Samples mused. “We have the iron pour, Carve on the Quad, International Horror Shorts, anagama kiln firing and the Bill Roll Lecture, to name a few. Erika’s talk is a great way to tie into the fall Halloween events we host. Considering the focus on science, it was another engaging way to partner with Perry College while bringing together the campus and broader community.”
The talk will showcase a fascinating and entertaining exploration of science’s strangest questions and most surprising answers. From bizarre animal behavior and painful insect stings to mysterious discoveries and unexpected explanations, Engelhaupt will uncover the curious side of biology, anatomy, nature, space exploration and human behavior. Equal parts informative and delightfully macabre, this talk is perfect for anyone who loves science, mystery and the wonderfully weird.
Engelhaupt’s work is about human nature more than being gross or morbid, Samples explained, and that may be what audiences will find most surprising about her approach to science and storytelling.
“Erika has the courage to ask weird questions, honestly and openly,” he described. “One review said she isn’t afraid to ask questions the rest of us don’t ask out loud. That’s the gist of her work. She takes topics that might seem strange, bizarre or even taboo, and she approaches them with curiosity rather than judgment.”
Engelhaupt shared that she’s looking forward to coming to campus.
“I love talking about science that sparks curiosity, so I’m looking forward to telling a few of my favorite stories about weird, creepy and icky science for this spooky season,” she exclaimed. “If you’re a curious person, I hope you’ll join us.”
Samples added that the event is accessible and appealing to everyone, regardless of their academic background.
“You don’t have to be a science person to appreciate Erika’s stories,” he concluded. “It’s like the intellectual version of watching a horror movie. We’re drawn in by the creepy and weird parts, but we leave having actually learned something. That’s what makes her work so much fun.”
The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Townsend Center’s Richard L. Dangle “Black Box” Theatre. There will be a 6 p.m. reception followed by the talk at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover charge for students with a UWG ID. Tickets for children 12 and under are $10 and adults are $15. Tickets are available for purchase online.