Kieran Robertson
PhD Researcher, School of Biological Sciences
TEDx Talk Title – ‘Small Creatures, Big Impact: Rewriting History with Insects’
The industrial revolution, the invention of the car, the first transatlantic flight - each marked a turning point in human history, shaping the way we live today. But those same advances have since caught up with us. We are now just five years away from 2030, the year many scientists call the point of no return for climate change. Five years may sound like a long time, but it will pass quickly. The question is: what kind of history do we want to write? We often think of insects as pests - or remember the old rhyme about a lady who swallowed a fly? But what if swallowing a fly wasn’t the end… but the beginning of something hopeful? Insects are a sustainable source of protein which can be grown in local systems with little environmental impact. When we feed them to livestock, they can also cut greenhouse gas emissions and help build a more sustainable food system. Small creatures, big impact - it’s time we learn from the lessons of the past and change our understanding of food for the sake of our planet.
About the Speaker
My name is Kieran David Robertson and I am originally from Manchester, the world’s first industrial city. I grew up terrified of insects, until I got my first pet mantis – this mantis (named Ivy) helped me understand that insects are not scary creatures, but are actually the most interesting group of aniMrmals which, unfortunately, just have a terrible PR team. In 2023, I moved to Belfast to conduct my PhD: my project explores the use of insect-derived proteins in livestock diets, thereby improving food security, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a sustainable future. I am really passionate about entomology and public engagement: I am a convenor of the Royal Entomological Society Food and Feed Special Interest Group, I lead the Insect Welfare Research Society Early Careers Committee, and I have recently been interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster where I busted many myths about spiders. Through talks, media appearances, and outreach events, I aim to make entomology more accessible, and to inspire others to see insects not as pests, but as co-inhabitants which may hold the secret to a sustainable future. Outside of my academic life, I love going to the opera… though do not ask me to sing an aria, for I cannot hold a note to save my life.
Read more
Read less
