In this talk, writers Bea Hitchman and Craig Jordan-Baker explore stories of origin: how they get told, what they mean and how we might retell them. By focussing on early human origins and the ecology of ‘native’ and ‘invasive’ plant species, this talk will consider some of the powerful ways we understand who we are, where we come from and what belongs where. Bea and Craig will highlight both at the science and the storytelling behind origin narratives, and how they can be both challenged and harnessed.

Part of a Origin Stories series in partnership with Brighton Museum alongside workshops Native? Invasive? Exotic?: Nature Writing Workshop with Craig Jordan-Baker and Writing Whitehawk Woman: Workshop with Bea Hitchman.