Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon
Associate Professor
Dept of Science & Technology Studies
Faculty of Maths & Physical Sciences
- Joined UCL
- 6th Jan 2014
Research summary
Jean-Baptiste Gouyon is the author of BBC Wildlife Documentaries in the Age of Attenborough, published in 2019 (Palgrave). The book traces the history of wildlife television in Britain from the beginnings of TV in 1936 to the first decade of the 21st Century. It revolves around the figure of David Attenborough whose influence on wildlife broadcasting in Britain has been epoch-making, and looks at the relationship between wildlife television and the life sciences, mostly zoology and ethology. More broadly, Gouyon’s
research is in the history of the presentation of science in visual media. In addition to wildlife TV, he’s also published on the history of British science
television as well as on the history of the Science Museum.
His research rests mostly on the study of archival material (documents and films) as well as on oral history interviews with television science producers past and present. He notably produced a series of 17 oral history interviews with past producers and editors of the BBC science series Horizon, as part of his ongoing exploration of the history of this series.
Gouyon’s research interests are in the study of science in public, the sociology and history of the life sciences, the human animal relationship.
Teaching summary
Gouyon's teaching is mostly about the theories and practices of science communication, with a focus on science journalism. But he also lectures on broader themes related to the sociology of science as well as methodological issues involved in conducting research on science communication and the sociology of science.
Modules taught in the academic year 2020-21:
NSCI0007 - science communication for natural sciences students
HPSC0107 - Science Journalism (level 6 course [UG])
HPSC0122 - Science Journalism (level 7 course [MSc])
Education
- University College London
- Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow | 2016
- University of York
- Doctorate, Doctorat | 2010
- University of York
- Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), ATQ02 - Recognised by the HEA as an Associate Fellow | 2009
- Universite Denis Diderot (Paris VII)
- Other higher degree, Diplome d'etudes approfondies | 2000
- Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
- Other higher degree, Maitrise | 1998