National Geographic Explorer and palaeoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi specialises in fossil hunting in unstable, hostile and disputed territories… is also a stand-up comic.
She believes that large parts of the planet’s potential contribution to science is being overlooked because of instability and feels that this is a tragedy for science and these places. She is currently filming a BBC series where she is aiming to ‘re-brand’ the Neanderthals with the help of Andy Serkis.
She performs stand-up as well as science stand-up internationally and has taken 3 shows up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
She is undertaking her PhD University College London.