A well-renowned dinosaur expert is set to visit Dinosaur Isle next week to deliver a fascinating and inspiring talk on his latest ground-breaking research.

Dr Neil Gostling, who is an associate professor in evolution and palaeobiology at the University of Southampton, will hold his talk – Hop, hop and away: How an icon of evolution leapt for the sky – at the Isle of Wight Council-run museum on August 25 at 1pm.

Dr Gostling will be talking about his recent research on how the first bird, Archaeopteryx, took flight.

He said: “Archaeopteryx may well be the most important fossil ever found.

“When Archaeopteryx was first discovered in 1861, its combination of bird and reptile-like traits meant that it was hailed as the ‘proof’ of Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection”.

However, 150 years later, many questions remain about Archaeopteryx, including how it achieved the most iconic quality of birds, flight.

Dr Gostling will explore how his research team, employing a diverse range of skills, have determined how Archaeopteryx was able to take off.

The dinosaur expert previously taught at the University of Bristol and at a school in New York. He is an evolutionary-development biologist by training and a palaeobiologist by research.

He will use his diverse background to talk through his latest research, which explores how the first bird, the Archaeopteryx, managed to take flight.

Dr Gostling supervised the University of Southampton project that saw the discovery of two new species of large predatory dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight in 2021.

His talk will be held at Dinosaur Isle, and is available for no additional charge to paying museum visitors. An adult entry to Dinosaur Isle costs £8 while entry for a 5–15-year-old child costs £5. Children under 5 can enter for free.

Dr David Button, curator and general manager at Dinosaur Isle, said: “Dr Gostling is a fantastic speaker and always brings expert knowledge when he talks at Dinosaur Isle.

“We are delighted to welcome him back and he is sure to deliver another brilliant talk on one of the most fascinating questions in evolutionary history, how the Archaeopteryx first took flight.

“Dr Gostling has a long history of working closely with Dinosaur Isle Museum and on the dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight. For example, in 2021, his team named two new species of large predatory dinosaurs from the island, which can now be seen in our dinosaur exhibit.

“This promises to be a truly engaging talk for anyone interested in our island’s remarkable prehistoric past.”

The fossil lab hatch at Dinosaur Isle remains open every day between 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm until August 31.

There will also be daily activities in the dinosaur exhibit with regular talks from our museum experts at 11am and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until August 28.

At the hatch, you can handle real Isle of Wight fossils, and speak to our expert museum scientists to ask all of your weird and wonderful dinosaur questions.