Talk Overview

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

Kieran David Robertson is originally from Manchester, the world’s first industrial city. He grew up terrified of insects, until he got my first pet mantis – this mantis (named Ivy) helped him understand that insects are not scary creatures, but are actually the most interesting group of animals which, unfortunately, just have a terrible PR team.

In 2023, Kieran moved to Belfast to conduct my PhD: his project explores the use of insect-derived proteins in livestock diets, thereby improving food security, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a sustainable future. He is really passionate about entomology and public engagement. Kieran is a convenor of the Royal Entomological Society Food and Feed Special Interest Group, he leads the Insect Welfare Research Society Early Careers Committee, and has recently been interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster where he busted many myths about spiders. Through talks, media appearances, and outreach events, Kieran aims 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 his academic life, Kieran loves going to the opera… though do not ask me to sing an aria, for he cannot hold a note to save my life.