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Archaeologist Colin Groves outlines the fossil history of human evolution. He examines how some parts of the human fossil record appear to depict gradual change, while others seem better interpreted by the model of punctuated equilibria.

Historian Tony Barta examines to what extent Charles Darwin’s ideas were misused by others and discusses the tragic effect of Darwinian eugenics in Australia and Germany.

Historian Iain McCalman explores the dominant scientific attitudes to ideas of evolution in Britain in the years before Darwin’s Origin is published. He explains why evolution was widely regarded as a lunatic theory and was resisted so fiercely.

The impact of adaptation and evolution on the development of modern agricultural crops and the use of genetically modified technologies is outlined by evolutionary biologist Jeremy Burdon.

Frank Nicholas from the School of Veterinary Science outlines Charles Darwin’s visit to Australia on the HMS Beagle in 1836. What Darwin saw contributed to the wealth of evidence he assembled from around the world showing that species have evolved.

Guna Kinne and Carmelo Mirabelli’s stories feature in the National Museum’s Australian Journeys gallery. They join curator Karen Schamberger and broadcaster Sylvie Stern in a discussion about their lives in Europe and Australia.

Historian Michael McKernan celebrates the life and work of much admired political cartoonist and Canberra identity Geoff Pryor, who retired after three decades with The Canberra Times.

Writer, lawyer and former science minister Barry Jones opens the Charles Darwin exhibition at the National Museum of Australia.

Historian Adele discusses cookbooks as historial resources, drawing on the National Museum’s collection in her time as a Visiting Fellow with the Museum’s Centre for Historical Research.

Renowned Australian cellist David Pereira plays the cello made by AE Smith in Sydney in 1953, one of the National Museum’s most treasured musical instruments. Dedicated to Stuart Challender.