Brown Bag Special Edition Seminar 3.11.2025: Bugs, bones and blood-curdling books – Horrifying research topics

Horrifying research topics take over Tellus Stage on Mon 3rd of November at 2 pm when Professor Heikki Helanterä, head of Research Unit for Ecology and Genetics, University Lecturer Heli Maijanen from the Research Unit for History, Culture and Communication Studies, and University Lecturer Jarkko Toikkanen from the Research Unit for Languages and Literature set the stage with their frightful research findings.

A whole world of conflict goes unseen right besides our busy feet. Professor Helanterä has a host of gruesome research findings to share about the complex family feuds of the Formica ants and all the violent undertakings that they involve.

Conflict and crime, death and decay are no less prevalent in human societies. University Lecturer Maijanen can interpret what human bones and other human remains tell us about these and other past and present events. Her insights shed light on the dark mysteries of archaeological as well as forensic research.

Possibly the darkest place in our realm is the human imagination. We humans, “homo narrans”, a species evolved to imagine fantasies and tell stories, can fabricate unreal horrors. University Lecturer Toikkanen will discuss the experience of horror in literature through his analysis of Marko Hautala’s novel Leväluhta (2018).

Join this seminar to learn about unexpected links between these scary topics from various fields of science! Research doesn't always have to be so serious, we can also celebrate it through surprising and creative approaches and connections. The seminar will take place on Monday 3rd of November from 2 pm to 3.30 pm at Tellus Stage on Linnanmaa campus. Eerie edibles and research-fueling refreshments provided for those who register by Wednesday 29th of October at 12 pm. The seminar will be in English.

If you cannot make it to the Linnanmaa campus, you can also participate via Zoom. If you participate via Zoom, you don’t need to register for the event.