Renowned scientist and Director of RiAus (the Royal Institution of Australia), Dr Paul Willis, will join Aurora Expeditions on a voyage to Antarctica in March 2014 as part of a newly established partnership between the adventure travel company and RiAus, Australia's national science communication organisation. 

On board Aurora Expeditions' small ship, Polar Pioneer, Dr Willis will entertain and inform passengers with his vast knowledge of the region's fossil-rich islands, vast tabular icebergs and the ancient Antarctic landscape, whilst also recounting the historic journey of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

From the fossils of Antarctica and the Arctic to the ancient culture of the Kimberley, the partnership is set to establish a foundation for making science a key highlight of travelling to these remote and wild destinations as well as creating a sustained interest and appreciation of the field of science itself. 

Lisa Bolton, CEO of Aurora Expeditions says "RiAus is a renowned charitable institution and
Aurora Expeditions is pleased to be working with the organisation and Dr Willis to help extend knowledge and educate our passengers on the scientific values of the places we visit."

To assist RiAus in its mission to engage people in discovering more science, Aurora Expeditions has also pledged to donate five per cent of ticket sales from all new bookings on the March 2014 expedition that mention promo code ‘RiAUS’. The donations will assist RiAus to continue to inspire current and future generations to learn and appreciate the importance of science in their daily life.

Travellers and science fans alike, can join Dr Willis on the 20-day 'In Shackleton's Footsteps' voyage to Antarctica and South Georgia departing 11 March 2014. As with all Aurora Expeditions voyages, daily shore excursions and explorations using inflatable Zodiacs provide access to the best wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities. A dedicated team of experts will guide passengers through the dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife that embody the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.

Voyage prices start from US$12,415 excluding flights, and for a limited time only passengers can save 20% of the voyage fare if booking and deposit is received before 31 December 2013. 

For further information contact Aurora Expeditions on (02) 9252 1033 or 1800 637 688 (toll-free) or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

For more information about RiAus contact Francene Connor at fconnor@riaus.org.au or visit the RiAus website at www.riaus.org.au

Profile: Dr Paul Willis
 

Dr Paul Willis is a respected leader in the science community, and takes up his appointment at RiAus as the next step in an impressive career in science.
 

Dr Willis’s early interest in dinosaurs and fossils lead him to Sydney University to study zoology and geology, then on to further studies at the University of New South Wales where he completed a doctorate studying fossil crocodiles.
 

Over the past ten years, he has held many fascinating jobs including a stint as Curator of Vertebrates at the Macleay Museum in the University of Sydney, and a nine month assignment in Bonn, Germany, measuring dead crocodiles. His passion for science communication also saw him spend a number of years touring Australia with a life-sized inflatable Tyrannosaurus rex as part of a primary school education program.
 

Dr Willis has a solid research career in vertebrate palaeontology, and has the distinction of having discovered a number of significant vertebrate fossil specimens, including a small dinosaur and a large ichthyosaur. He has led seven public expeditions to Antarctica, authored and co-authored seven books on dinosaurs, rocks and fossils and authored many popular articles on science subjects across a wide range of topics.
 

In 1997 Dr Willis secured a traineeship with the ABC as a science broadcaster. Throughout his television career, he produced and presented over 350 stories for the Catalyst and Quantum programs on ABC TV, as well as many radio stories for The Science Show, Earthbeat and Ockham’s Razor.
 

Dr Willis relocated to Adelaide from Sydney in May 2011 to commence his role as Director of RiAus: “It’s a new organisation with a solid foundation and an unbounded and bright future. I am enjoying getting my teeth into it!”

Follow Paul on Twitter @Fossilcrox 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Emma Savage
emma@auroraexpeditions.com.au
+61 2 9252 1033