You are here
» Dr Lindy OrthiaDr Lindy Orthia
Contacts
Contact email:lindy.orthia@anu.edu.au
Contact phone:+61 2 6125 6148
BSc (Hons), GCertHist, PhD, SFHEA
Senior Lecturer
Lindy is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the School of Sociology, within the Research School of Social Sciences in the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences.
From 2007 until early 2021 she was an academic in science communication at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science within the ANU College of Science, at Senior Lecturer level from 2015.
Lindy completed a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at La Trobe University then came to ANU to undertake honours in plant systematics, jointly with the Australian National Herbarium, CSIRO. She commenced a PhD in plant systematics but soon transferred to a PhD in science communication in 2005, graduating in 2010. Recognising much of her work took a historical approach, she undertook a Graduate Certificate in History from 2013-15. Prior to studying science, Lindy was an activist who spent much of her time researching, writing and agitating in regard to diverse political issues, working in student representative and community organisations.
Professional Awards and Honours
- 2020 Winner: College of Science Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Education for Programs that Enhance Learning (Team)
- 2014 recognised as Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy
- 2013 Winner: Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2013 Winner: ANU Commendation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
- 2012 Winner: Colleges of Science Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2009 Winner: ANU ResearchFest Award for Excellence in Tutoring or Demonstrating
Research interests
Lindy's current research interests are:
- the politics of knowledge, in particular the rhetorical power of Western science compared to the world's many other systems of science and knowledge
- intersections of science and science communication with sociopolitical categories such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class and disability
- representations of science in popular fiction and public responses to them
- histories of science communication and the uses of history in public communication about science.
For more current and complete information on Lindy's publications and bio, including a more up to date publications list, go to lindyorthia.com.
Projects
- Principal investigator, Enlightenment was the choice: 'Doctor Who' and the democratisation of science
- Principal investigator, Ideologies of science in 'Doctor Who'
- Principal investigator, Science communication in early colonial Sydney
- Principal investigator, SCOM2003 projects about science, fiction and the public
- Supervisor, Accessing visual communication modes to promote an understanding of Alzheimer’s disease in the digital realm
- Supervisor, Audience responses to fictional representations of future technology
- Supervisor, Characterising a movement against cancer research
- Supervisor, Communicating endometriosis to young women to decrease diagnostic time
- Supervisor, Communicating the sociology of safety to the Australian pipeline industry
- Supervisor, Communication in the integrated use of Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science in environmental management
- Supervisor, Communication on menstruation: Women’s knowledge, health risks, disposable products, and the environment
- Supervisor, Discourses of race and evolutionary theory in the X-Men series of films
- Supervisor, Doctor Who characters as STEMM role models
- Supervisor, Engaged in fiction, engaged in science: Can stories about science inspire a career?
- Supervisor, Environmental scientists' and ecologists' uses of Indigenous ecological knowledge
- Supervisor, Facts in fiction: Categorising science in narratives
- Supervisor, Fictional portrayals of real scientists in semi-biographical films
- Supervisor, Food for talk: Communication in the agricultural Seeds of Life project in Timor Leste
- Supervisor, How the sitcom The Big Bang Theory influences audience perceptions of science and scientists
- Supervisor, Is a photograph worth a thousand words? The communication of Alzheimer’s disease research using visual interdisciplinary methodologies
- Supervisor, Knowledge exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
- Supervisor, Making sense of the geology of Middle-earth in Lord of the Rings
- Supervisor, Models of expertise in the South African HIV/AIDS crisis
- Supervisor, Nuclear Power - what does the world think?
- Supervisor, Opportunities and Challenges in an Ongoing and Collaborative Non-Formal Program for Developing Students’ Trajectories into Post-Compulsory STEM study
- Supervisor, Portrayals of science and the environment in the computer game 'Civilization 5'
- Supervisor, Public involvement in decision-making about science and technology
- Supervisor, Representations of scientists in kids' programs on Australian television
- Supervisor, Science and 'Breaking Bad'
- Supervisor, Science in music videos: using the creative arts to generate environmental awareness
- Supervisor, Science plays as science communication: a case study of Caryl Churchill's 'A Number'
- Supervisor, Scientific Crackpots : A Side Effect of Science Communication?
- Supervisor, Stories of Scientists: Can they be used to engage the public?
- Supervisor, Students’ perceptions on the gender imbalance in physics: a case study from the Australian National University
- Supervisor, The influence of 'Scrubs' on medical students' clinical practice
- Supervisor, The influence of the musical Rent on the HIV/AIDS campaign in the US in the years 1996-2011
- Supervisor, The role of (un)realistic science in the reception of narrative fiction
- Supervisor, The role of long term aged care facilities: expectations of responsibility
- Supervisor, The roles of scientific jargon in science-themed fiction
- Supervisor, The Scientific Revolution and its others in popular discourse
- Supervisor, Uses of Jurassic Park in popular science books
- Supervisor, What would a 'scientifically engaged Australia' look like?
Peer-reviewed
- Orthia L.A. (2020) Strategies for including communication of non-Western and indigenous knowledges in science communication histories. Journal of Science Communication, 19(02), A02. doi: 10.22323/2.19020202.
- Orthia L.A. (2019) How does science fiction television shape fans’ relationships to science? Results from a survey of 575 Doctor Who viewers. Journal of Science Communication, 18(04), A08. doi: 10.22323/2.18040208.
- de Kauwe V. & Orthia L.A.* (2018) Knowledge, power and the ethics illusion: Explaining diverse viewer interpretations of the politics in classic era Doctor Who. Special issue ‘Politics & Law of Doctor Who’, Journal of Popular Television, 6(2): 151-165. doi: 10.1386/jptv.6.2.151_1. *Joint first authors.
- McKinnon M. & Orthia L.A.* (2017). Vaccination communication strategies: What have we learned, and lost, in 200 years? Special issue ‘History of science communication’, Journal of Science Communication, 16(03), A08. doi: 10.22323/2.16030208. *Joint first authors.
- Orthia L.A. (2016) What’s wrong with talking about the Scientific Revolution? Applying lessons from history of science to applied fields of science studies. Minerva, 54(3), 353-373. doi: 10.1007/s11024-016-9299-4.
- Orthia L.A. & Morgain R. (2016) The gendered culture of scientific competence: A study of scientist characters in Doctor Who 1963-2013. Sex Roles, 75(3), 79-94. doi: 10.1007/s11199-016-0597-y.
- Orthia L.A. (2016) Democratizing science in the eighteenth century: Resonances between Condorcet’s Sketch (1795) and twenty-first century science communication. Journal of Science Communication, 15(04), A04. doi: 10.22323/2.15040204.
- Orthia L.A. (2016) ‘Laudably communicating to the world’: Science in Sydney’s public culture, 1788–1821. Historical Records of Australian Science, 27(1), 1-12. doi: 10.1071/HR15018.
- Li R. & Orthia L.A. (2016) Communicating the nature of science through The Big Bang Theory: Evidence from a focus group study. International Journal of Science Education Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 6(2), 115-136. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2015.1020906.
- Donkers M. & Orthia L.A. (2016) Popular theatre for science engagement: Audience engagement with human cloning following a production of Caryl Churchill's A Number. International Journal of Science Education Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 6(1), 23-45. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2014.947349.
- Dobos A.R., Orthia L.A. & Lamberts R. (2015) Does a picture tell a thousand words? The uses of digitally produced, multimodal pictures for communicating information about Alzheimer’s disease. Public Understanding of Science, 24(6), 712-730. doi: 10.1177/0963662514533623.
- McKinnon M., Orthia L.A., Grant W.J. & Lamberts R. (2014). Real-world assessment as an integral component of an undergraduate science communication program. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22(5): 1-13.
- Orthia L. (ed.) (2013) Doctor Who and Race. Bristol: Intellect Books.
- Orthia L.A. (2013) Savages, science, stagism and the naturalized ascendancy of the Not-We in Doctor Who. In L. Orthia (ed.) Doctor Who and Race. Bristol: Intellect Books, pp. 269-287.
- Orthia L. (2013) Introduction. In L. Orthia (ed.) Doctor Who and Race. Bristol: Intellect Books, pp. 1-11.
- Orthia L. (2013) Conclusion. In L. Orthia (ed.) Doctor Who and Race. Bristol: Intellect Books, pp. 289-296.
- Orthia L.A. (2013) Negotiating public resistance to engagement in science and technology. In J.K. Gilbert & S.M. Stocklmayer (eds.) Communication and Engagement with Science and Technology: Issues and Dilemmas. Oxon: Routledge, pp. 74-90.
- Li R. & Orthia L.A. (2013) Are people inspired by The Big Bang Theory to find out more about science? Results from focus group-based audience research. Proceedings of 4th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand (PopCAANZ) Conference, Brisbane, June 24-26, 2013, pp. 248-257.
- Shadbolt N.A., Parker M.A. & Orthia L.A. (2013) Communicating endometriosis with young women to decrease diagnosis time. Health Promotion Journal of Australia 24: 151-154. doi: 10.1071/HE12915
- Orthia L.A. (2012) Science Fiction. In R. Gunstone (ed.) Encyclopedia of Science Education. Springer, online. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-6165-0_329-2. Print version published 2015.
- Orthia L.A., Dobos A.R., Guy T., Kan S.Z., Keys S.E., Nekvapil S. & Ngu D.H.Y. (2012) How do people think about the science they encounter in fiction? Science students investigate using The Simpsons. International Journal of Science Education Part B: Communication and Public Engagement 2: 149-174. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2011.610134
- Orthia L.A. (2011) “Paradise is a little too green for me”: Discourses of environmental disaster in Doctor Who 1963-2010. Colloquy 21: online.
- Orthia L.A. (2011) Antirationalist critique or fifth column of scientism? Challenges from Doctor Who to the mad scientist trope. Public Understanding of Science 20: 525-542. doi: 10.1177/0963662509355899
- Orthia L.A. (2010) “Sociopathetic abscess” or “yawning chasm”? The absent postcolonial transition in Doctor Who. Journal of Commonwealth Literature 45: 207-225.
- Rifkin W., Longnecker N., Leach J., Davis L. & Orthia L. (2010) Students publishing in new media: eight hypotheses - a house of cards? International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education 18: 43-54
- Rifkin W., Longnecker N., Leach J., Davis L. & Orthia L. (2009) Motivate students by having them publish in new media: an invitation to science lecturers to share and test. Paper presented at the 2009 UniServe Science Conference: 'Motivating science undergraduates: Ideas and Interventions', Sydney, October 1-2, 2009.
- Wilkins C.F., Orthia L.A. & Crisp M.D. (2009) A new species of Pultenaea (Mirbelieae: Fabaceae) from Kundip, Western Australia. Nuytsia 19: 191-196.
- Orthia L.A., Cook L.G. & Crisp M.D. (2005) Generic delimitation and phylogenetic uncertainty: an example from a group that has undergone an explosive radiation. Australian Systematic Botany 18: 41-47.
- Orthia L.A., de Kok R.P.J. & Crisp M.D. (2005) A revision of Pultenaea (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae): 4. Species occurring in Western Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 18: 149-206.
- Orthia L.A., Crisp M.D., Cook L.G. & de Kok R.P.J. (2005) Bush peas: a rapid radiation with no support for monophyly of Pultenaea (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae). Australian Systematic Botany 18: 133-147.
- Bickford S.A., Laffan S.W., de Kok R.P.J. & Orthia L.A. (2004) Spatial analysis of taxonomic and genetic patterns and their potential for understanding evolutionary histories. Journal of Biogeography 31: 1715-1733.
- Orthia L.A., Garrick R.C. & James E.A. (2003) Genetic comparison between Victorian and Tasmanian populations of Prasophyllum correctum D.L. Jones (Orchidaceae). Muelleria 18: 79-87.
- Garrick R.C., Orthia L.A. & James E.A. (2003) Genetic comparison of populations of the endangered Gorae Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum diversiflorum Nicholls (Orchidaceae). Muelleria 18: 89-97.
- Orthia L. & Brown H. (1998) Women's autonomous organising and the law: exemptions from the Equal Opportunity Act. Australian Feminist Law Journal 10: 137-146.
Other
Conference papers
- Orthia, L.A. (2017) Reclaiming the origin of science for science communication and science studies. Paper presented at Australasian Association for the History, Philosophy & Social Studies of Science Biennial Conference, Wollongong, 22-24 November 2017.
- Shadbolt N.A., Parker M.A. & Orthia L.A. (2014) Communicating endometriosis with young women to decrease diagnosis time. Paper presented at 12th World Congress on Endometriosis, São Paulo, Brazil, 30 April-3 May 2014.
- Shadbolt N.A., Parker M.A. & Orthia L.A. (2014) Communicating endometriosis with young women. Poster presented at 12th World Congress on Endometriosis, São Paulo, Brazil, 30 April-3 May 2014. Also presented at the Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting, Canberra, 12-15 August 2014.
- Orthia L.A. (2011) Cross-dressing blokes can’t reason; man-hating chicks can’t weld: The gender politics of incompetent scientist characters in Doctor Who. Paper presented at PopCAANZ 2nd Annual International Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, June 29-July 1 2011.
- Orthia L.A. (2010) “Paradise is a little too green for me”: Discourses of environmental disaster in Doctor Who, 1963-present. Paper presented at Changing the Climate: Utopia, Dystopia and Catastrophe, Monash University, Melbourne, August 30-September 1 2010.
- Orthia L.A. (2010) The ginger temp’s deficient brain: Doctor Who and public engagement with science. Paper presented at Aussiecon4: 68th World Science Fiction Convention, Melbourne, September 2-6 2010.
- Orthia L.A. (2009) Inspiring teaching - inspiring teachers to teach. Presentation to the ANU Festival of Teaching, June 2009.
- Orthia L.A. (2006) Boundedness, Relationality and Evolution in Biological Systems. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Conference of the Society for Literature, Science and Art: "Evolution: Biological, Cultural, and Cosmic", New York, November 9-12, 2006. Download pdf (40k)
- Orthia L.A., Crisp M.D. & Cook L.G. (2003) Mangled Little Boxes: squeezing the Mirbelia group (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae) into a stable genus level classification. Paper presented at the 150 Years Conference: Celebrating 150 years of plant research in Australia, Melbourne, September 29-October 3 2003.
- James E.A., Orthia L. & Garrick R. (2002) Comparing Victorian and Tasmanian Prasophyllum correctum. Are they the same species? Paper presented at the Mutual Gains Symposium, Melbourne, October 16-18 2002.
- de Kok R.P.J., Orthia L.A. & West J.G. (2001) An investigation into the phylogeny of the Australian endemic genus Pultenaea Sm. (Fabaceae). Paper presented at Legumes Down Under: the Fourth International Legume Conference, Canberra, July 2-6 2001.
Research reports
- Ingles C. & Orthia L.A. (2016) A New Synthesis on the Geology of Middle-earth: Genesis, Orogeny and Tectonics. Canberra: Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, The Australian National University.
- Coonan E., Orthia L.A., Bloomfield F., Horst J., Pascoe A., Schiffl K. & Axelsen S. (2013) Regular viewing of a television drama series affects responses to science ideologies in it: a focus group-based study of 'Bones'. Canberra: Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, The Australian National University.
- Caulfield L., Coffey B., La Nauze J., Narayan I., Orthia L. & Whitehead A. (2006) Submission to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council River Red Gum Investigation Draft Proposals Paper. Melbourne, Friends of the Earth Barmah-Millewa Collective.
- Orthia L., LoCascio A., Neville A. & Neville H. (2003) Grazing and Fire Hazard: A submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Bushfire Disaster. Melbourne, Friends of the Earth Barmah-Millewa Collective.
- Narayan I., Orthia L. & Barker P. (2002) Barmah-Millewa National Park: Proposal and Briefing Document. Melbourne, Friends of the Earth Melbourne Barmah-Millewa Collective.
- Orthia L.A. (2002) Evidence from the scientific literature supporting the environmental component of the Yorta Yorta Management Plan for the Barmah-Millewa forest ecosystem. Melbourne, Friends of the Earth Melbourne Barmah-Millewa Collective. Download pdf (300k)
- Orthia L. (1998) The Stop Violence Handbook. Melbourne, La Trobe University Students' Representative Council.
Popular media (selected)
- McKinnon M., Lamberts R.G., Grant W.J., Orthia L.A., Viana J.N.M., Nabavi E., Leach J., Raman S. (2020, August 24) Effective communication in a pandemic requires more than ‘the science’. INGSA COVID-19 Information Hub.
- Orthia L. & Rasekoala E. (1 July 2020) Anti-racist science communication starts with recognising its globally diverse historical footprint. LSE Impact Blog.
- Orthia L. (6 September 2019) Timely intervention: how Doctor Who shapes public attitudes to science. The Conversation.
- Orthia L.A. (14 August 2019) Science fiction as a potent policy tool. Policy Forum.
- Orthia L.A. & Morgain R. (15 September 2017) Tips for effective #scicomm. Slideshare/lindyorthia.com.
- Orthia L. (23 May 2016) The science issues this election are as old as the Australian media. The Conversation.
- Morgain R. & Orthia L. (19 May 2016) Ahead of its time: Doctor Who's 56 inspiring female scientists. The Conversation.
- Orthia L. (1 November 2013) ‘The Doctors, the Daleks and the dangerous to know: Doctor Who’s mad scientists.’ Presentation at Questacon SciNight.
- Orthia L. (23 May 2013) A very good googly - race in Four to Doomsday. Doctor Who and Race. http://doctorwhoandrace.com/2013/05/23/a-very-good-googly-race-in-four-to-doomsday/
- Orthia L. (4 May 2013) Doctor Who - science win or science fail? Presentation to the Canberra Skeptics, CSIRO Discovery.
- Orthia L.A. (2012) Ghost Light: Only the mad see clearly. In R. Smith? (ed.) Outside In. Baltimore: ATB Publishing, pp. 406-408.
- Orthia L. (20 June 2012) Bad movie science: a snooty pleasure. Science By Fiction. http://sciencebyfiction.net/archives/film/bad-movie-science-a-snooty-pleasure/
- Orthia L. (May 2012) Why did I publish a paper with undergraduate students about science in The Simpsons? Yliopistolainen, the Helsinki University’s staff magazine, section 'Top 100', 8.
- Orthia L. (27 January 2010) Queer scientists in television science fiction. Diffusion. http://diffusion.weblogs.anu.edu.au/2010/01/27/queer-scientists-in-television-science-fiction/
