From tagging some of the biggest fish in the oceans to accidentally tracking a killer whale, biologist Lucy Hawkes reveals how cutting edge animal tracking technology is transforming our understanding of some of the planet’s most exciting wild animals.

About the speaker

Dr Lucy Hawke's research centres on animal migration. As well as drawing much popular attention, animal migration is an ideal opportunity to look at the fundamental biology of many organisms since they experience extremes of both their external environment and internal physiology.

Adaptations that maximise migratory success must be selected for in order for migrants to arrive at their breeding grounds in timely fashion and in adequate body condition for breeding.

Lucy's research uses (i) new technologies (known as 'Biologging' – the logging of biology on the move) to track animal migrations in the wild and (ii) lab-based work to contextualise this work with theoretical and empirical modelling and data. Taken together, this approach can provide unparalleled insights into some of the world’s most exciting migrations.

Booking information

Monday night lectures are open to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership.

Attending in-person

  • All Fellows and Members wanting to attend in person must pre-book a free ticket. You will receive an e-ticket with a QR code that will be scanned on arrival. Your ticket can be shown on a mobile phone or printed. If you do not have a smartphone, we can find your name on the door list instead.
  • Doors open at 5.30pm. Please use the Society's entrance on Exhibition Road. The lecture will begin at 6.30pm.
  • Monday night lectures are held in person in the Ondaatje Theatre. The bar will be open in the Map Room before and after the lecture. Please be advised all payments are card only.
  • The Ondaatje Theatre is fitted with a hearing loop. For the best quality sound we recommend sitting on the outside rows of the front seating section.
  • There is step free access to the theatre. Wheelchair spaces can be booked in advance. If you have any questions about the venue, please contact events@rgs.org

Watch online

  • You do not need to pre-book to watch the lecture online.
  • All Monday night lectures are livestreamed via our website so you can watch them from wherever you are.

If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org

Venue information

This event will be held in the Ondaatje Lecture Theatre at Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR.

Plan your visit to the Society and find more information about our venue, including our address, accessibility and transport links.

About Monday night lectures

Our Monday night lectures are exclusive to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership. Members can book to attend the lectures in-person at the Society, or enjoy them live from the comfort of your own home.

These lectures are also recorded and uploaded to our website solely for members to catch up on whenever they like. If you would like to receive a weekly reminder email about the upcoming Monday night lecture, please sign up to our Updates about our Monday night lectures newsletter.

Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. Key accessibility features of this event include:

  • Step-free access to the event
  • Accessible toilets
  • Assistance dogs are welcome
  • Hearing loop

For full details, please visit our accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org

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Key Information

Members + one guest
Monday 2 November 2026
6.30pm-7.45pm
London and online

Free
Book now