Interview Process

This video interview series aims to offer an overview of primate evolution research in 2025. The series will feature expert perspectives on a wide range of primate taxa, both living and extinct, and is is designed to be an accessible resource for students, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the fields of biological anthropology, primatology and palaeontology. All videos will be freely available for public viewing and sharing (including on YouTube and a dedicated website).

Overview of the project

The series will feature approximately 50 interviews, each focusing on a specific primate group or topic (listed below). Recording will continue throughout 2025, with video uploads starting in June/July.

Subject headings

• Earliest primates (Omomyidae and Adapidae), and potential/stem primates (including Plesiadapiforms)

• Galagos, pottos, and lorises (and fossil relatives) 

• Lemurs (and fossil relatives) 

• Tarsiers (and fossil relatives) 

• Early anthropoid fossil record

• Platyrrhini (and fossil relatives) 

• Catarrhini (and fossil relatives) 

• Miocene apes

• Living apes (and their close fossil relatives) 

• Hominins

• Recent human evolution

• Evolutionary theory and processes

• Primatology field sites and conservation

Goals of the interviews

This interview series has three primary objectives:

• Educational resource: The main goal is to serve as an accessible introduction to various areas of biological anthropology and primatology, with expert-led discussions designed for researchers, students, and anyone interested in primate evolution and conservation.

• Capturing the state of the discipline in 2025: Providing a snapshot of primate evolution research in 2025, documenting the current understanding of major primate groups, and highlighting the most debated topics and ideas in the field.

• Exploring scientific developments: Offering a platform for researchers to share their latest work, including key recent publications and discoveries.

Interview logistics

Before the Interview

• Scheduling: Select a time in the Google Calendar. If none of the suggested times work for you, please feel free to propose an alternative. If you can not speak in person (e.g., if you are in the field, have slow Wi-Fi; or just prefer to record in your own time), then please get in touch and I will send you your personalise questions and then combine everything afterwards.

• Questions: You will receive a list of interview questions at least three days in advance. Each interview will consist of three key questions tailored to your work. Additionally, there will be a 'quick-fire' round in which the same questions will be asked to each interviewee within the particular subject heading. Lastly, there will be a question at the end regarding non-research related topics, including related to things such as academic publishing, fieldwork, open science, collection access etc. To see the more detailed format and example questions please click here.

During the interview

• Format: Interviews will be conducted via Google Meet. Once your Google Calendar appointment is confirmed, you will receive an automatic link to join, no software download is required. A webcam and microphone (built-in or external) will be necessary.

• Structure: Before recording, we will have a brief discussion (about 5 minutes) to review the plan and address any questions you may have regarding the interview format. The recorded portion will then last approximately 20–35 minutes, making the total call typically under 45 minutes.

• Retakes: If needed, we can redo any question during the session, and I will edit the final video accordingly. I will also send you the final video for your approval.