033 | 100 Laura Parker: The secret life of oysters

Both a food source and great natural filters of our waterways, Australia’s east coast oysters are vulnerable to today’s warming temperatures and ocean acidification. Dr Laura Parker shares her work on breeding climate change resilient breeds that might one day be able to reseed struggling populations across industry and nature.

See Laura Parker in conversation with investigative journalist Rachael Hocking, recorded live at the Powerhouse as part of 100 Climate Conversations. Entry is free, but bookings are essential as places are limited. Doors open at 9.15am for a 9.30am start. No late admittance.

100 Climate Conversations is a two-year survey of visionary Australians who are accelerating the net zero carbon revolution. To find out more and subscribe to the podcast visit 100climateconversations.com.

Dr Laura Parker is an Indigenous Scientia Senior Lecturer and ARC DAATSIA Fellow in the UNSW Faculty of Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Parker’s research aims to help future-proof natural oyster populations and the Australian oyster industry, while restoring degraded oyster habitats that are of enormous importance to Indigenous Australians. Her research focuses on resilience in marine molluscs to current climate and environmental stressors – such as salinity and food availability – as well as expected future stressors – such as ocean warming and acidification – to understand the underlying physiological, molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved.

Rachael Hocking is a Warlpiri woman from the Northern Territory. She is a journalist, curator and presenter who is passionate about sharing First Nations stories. She currently co-manages IndigenousX's Our Truth, Our Way internship for aspiring journalists and storytellers. Rachael's work can be found across Black media, from the national Indigenous newspaper Koori Mail to NITV. She is a director on the board of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma in the Asia Pacific, and Common Ground.