BLOG

Letter to BLM

A letter to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, regarding the critical need for further paleontological resource assessment at BLM’s “Community Pit #1” near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Read More

Book Review: Foundations of Paleoecology

Reviewed by Richard Lis (California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CA)

Read More

Distinguished Lecturer/Educator Program 2024 Schedule

We're proud to share our next batch of upcoming sessions, granted by our esteemed Distinguished Lecturers. Please see the schedules to plan ahead!

Institutions denoted with a * indicate minority serving institutions (MSI).
Date of Presentation Speaker Name Speaker Institution Host Name Host Institution
May 9th, 2023 Johnny Waters Appalachian State University Nigel Hughes University of California- Riverside*
February 23rd, 2023 Brenda Hunda Cincinnati Museum Center Jacquie Ashley Niagara Peninsula Geological Society 
March 6th, 2024 Scott Wing Smithsonian Institution Shelly Wernette Texas State University*
April 3rd, 2024 Kate Lyons University of Nebraska Molly McDonough Chicago State University*
April 17th, 2024 Felisa Smith University of New Mexico Abhishek RoyChowdhury Navajo Technical University*
November 13th, 2024 Scott Evans Florida State University Peter Hutchinson Pittsburgh Geological Society

Books available for review

Books available for review announcement - updated!

The following volumes are available to Paleontological Society members in exchange for writing a review in Priscum. Reviews should be informative, engaging, and 400–800 words long. The tone can be informal and casual, appropriate to recommending a book to colleagues. Reviews are expected to be returned within six months after receipt. Past book reviews can be found in past issues of Priscum athttps://www.paleosoc.org/priscum-newsletter and https://www.paleosoc.org/blogReviewers must be a current member of the Paleontological Society before beginning review. If you are interested in reviewing one of these texts, please contact Book Reviews Editor Phil Novack-Gottshall ([email protected])

Read More

Book Review: Fort Payne Crinoids

Reviewed by Alysha Zazubec (University of Oklahoma)

Read More

Book Review: Across the Bridge

Reviewed by David R. Cordie (Edgewood College, Madison WI)

Read More

PS NAPC D&I and Student Travel Grants

PS NAPC D&I and Student Travel Grants

The Paleontological Society recognizes the importance of educational and research practices that foster diversity and inclusion. We value the contribution of diverse opinions, strategies, and experiences at the North American Paleontological Convention (NAPC) as they are an integral part to the advancement of our field. However, many of our colleagues who work extensively on inclusive educational and research practices might not qualify for research-based funding for conference travel from their home institutions. In addition, colleagues from groups underrepresented in paleontology, in a career transition (between undergrad and grad, grad to post-doc, post-doc to position), or in adjunct, teaching, museum, or part-time positions are often the most vulnerable and most likely to leave paleontology and science. It is crucial that we ensure that these members, in addition to students, are able to attend and participate in our meetings as well as network with community members who can provide the support and mentorship that is needed in these critical transitions or positions.

Read More

PS Student Rep Applications

The Paleontological Society is soliciting applications for a Student Representative to Council. 

Eligibility: We encourage nominations from paleontology graduate students who are early-mid stage in their graduate programs from all backgrounds and institutions, particularly those that have historically been under-represented on the Paleontological Society Council.
 
The Role: Student Representatives serve as voices for student needs in the Society and play leading roles in student activities including organizing student events at the Geological Society of America Conference. Student Representatives are further encouraged to develop and lead new student initiatives. In this role, students gain knowledge of the inner-workings of an international organization and experience in professional service.
 
The selected Student Representative (who will start their role in the fall) will join current Student Representative Carmi Milagros Thompson and serve a two-year term (Fall 2024–Fall 2026). Student Representatives attend two virtual Council meetings per year (one during fall near the time of the Geological Society of America Conference and the other during spring). 
 
Application Instructions and Requirements:





Read More

Book Review: Humans

Reviewed by Andrej Spiridonov (Vilnius University, Lithuania)

Read More

DEEP Award

The Paleontological Society is now soliciting for nominations for the DEEP Award!  

 
The Diversity Engagement and Enhancement in Paleontology (DEEP) Award is presented to early career professionals and students who have enhanced the global paleontology community by advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the field. The awards will be presented during the annual Geological Society of America conference. 
 
The deadline to nominate for the 2nd Annual PS DEEP awards is February 16, 2024. 

Award Criteria:
Early career professionals as well as undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Individuals are eligible regardless of their status as Paleontological Society members. Nominees eligible for the award will include: currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students; students in gap years between 2-year and 4-year degrees or between undergraduate and graduate school; postdoctoral scholars; those currently employed as paleontologists in academia, industry, government, or a museum and have received their terminal degree 5 years or fewer before the nomination.
 
Nomination Procedures:
Nominations can be submitted by a second party or can be self-nominated. To keep the selection process fair for everyone, only one letter of support is accepted per nominee. Contact information for the nominator and letter of support should be included. 
 
Please use this form to submit your nomination: https://forms.gle/T3GAp7Uwbj4Khy9b6
 
For those who are self-nominating:  Please provide your letter of nomination and one email to contact for one letter of support. 
For those who are nominating someone else:  Please only provide your letter of nomination. You will not need to provide a letter of support. 
 
The letter of nomination and letter of support should be no more than two (2) pages single-spaced, and address how the nominee has excelled in one or more of the following pursuits:
 
  • Leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Innovation in the design and implementation of programs or other initiatives dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Recruitment and retention such as via recruitment events, mentoring, funding or program implementation.
  • Any additional relevant factors to further describe the impact of the nominee’s efforts to promote a diverse and welcoming environment in the paleontological sciences. 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Jeanette Pirlo.
 
Sincerely,
The DEEP Award Committee of the Paleontological Society

Paleontology Is Far More Than New Fossil Discoveries

Paleontology Is Far More Than New Fossil Discoveries: Understanding the ancient past is critical to responding to challenges we face in the future

Roy E. Plotnick, Brendan M. Anderson, Sandra J. Carlson, Advait M. Jukar, Julien Kimmig and Elizabeth Petsios

Read More

2023 GSA Sessions Endorsed by Paleo Society

There are abundant and diverse Topical & Discipline Sessions at GSA Connects 2023 that are endorsed by the Paleo Society!

Read More

Book Review: The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries

Reviewed by Blandine Hautier (Bonn, Germany)

Read More

A Paleontologist's Field Guide for Funding from the National Science Foundation

The 2022 Summer Policy Interns, supported by the Paleontological Society and the American Geosciences Institute, produced this handbook as a foundation for identifying and exploring funding areas within the National Science Foundation and other related funding agencies.

Read More

2023 Paleontological Society Fellows

The new fellows are

Read More

Pete Palmer Obituary

Pete Palmer Obituary 

Read More

Book Review: Strata

Reviewed by Paul Strother (Boston College Weston Observatory)

Read More

Book Review: Rare and Wonderful Treasures

Reviewed by Paul Strother (Boston College Weston Observatory)

Read More

Book Review: Nature Through Time

Reviewed by Bruce Rothschild (Indiana University Health, formerly Carnegie Museum of Natural History)

Read More

Book Review: Life Through the Ages

Reviewed by Phil Novack-Gottshall (Benedictine University, Lisle, IL)

Read More