Meet the Executive Board
Patrícia Pessoa (president); Science Education Researcher; Education for Sustainable Development; Evolutionary literacy; Primary Education; Future thinking; introvert; designing ideas for fun; powered by paws; tennis & padel; Portugal
Isabell K. Adler (treasurer); Science Education Researcher; Cognitive biases & metacognition; Evolutionary literacy; Plant awareness; Primary & Secondary Education; networker; dinosaur aficionado; gaming & dancing; Switzerland
Georgios Ampatzidis (board member); Assistant Professor; Teaching and learning about nature and the environment; Evolutionary literacy; Plant awareness; Early childhood education; father of two sons; short story writing; Greece
Meet the Evoke Executive Board!
A team with different backgrounds, shared values, and a strong commitment to our community.
We look forward to working with you and shaping what comes next together!
#EvoKE
27.02.2026 11:30
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Even more fascinating:
Male satin bowerbirds spend their first seven years looking like females.
During this time, they practice the courtship by observing and even engaging in courtship interactions with other males before developing their iconic blue plumage.
So, what do we learn from this?
Evolution through sexual selection is not only about who is bigger, better, and stronger. But it is also about who listens and connects best.
Even more fascinating:
Young male satin bowerbirds spend years observing and practicing before developing their iconic plumage.
Sexual selection is not only about who is bigger, brighter, stronger.
But who listens and connects.
Know other examples? Tell us below 👇
❤️
14.02.2026 11:44
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The sage grouse
With his extravagant display, he seems like the star of the show: The male sage grouse inflates his air sacs, and produces some surreal popping sounds to impress the females.
However, what looks like a one man show is actually a social interaction.
The male has to pay attention to the female’s subtle movements she uses to display interest or disinterest. Only by reading her cues, he can direct his energy effectively and increase his reproductive success.
The satin bowerbird
The male bowerbird builds ornate bowers decorated with carefully chosen blue objects.
However, his reproductive success is not determined by his impressive display but is also linked to how well he reads and responds to the female’s behavior.
What looks like a solo performance…
is actually social interaction.
From sage grouse to satin bowerbirds, reproductive success depends on reading and responding to cues.
👇 One more fascinating twist in the next post.
14.02.2026 11:44
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EvoKE wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day and wants you to check out our info post about sexual selection
Citius, Altius, Fortius
Faster. Higher. Stronger.
Since Charles Darwin introduced sexual selection, it’s often been reduced to a simple story:
Males compete harder.
Shine brighter.
Outperform rivals.
Win the female.
This interpretation makes courtship look like a one-way performance.
But evolution is rarely a solo act.
Many mating systems only make sense when we look at what’s happening on both sides.
In "Bitch”, zoologist and science writer Lucy Cooke highlights research by behavioral ecologist Gail Patricelli:
Sexual selection doesn’t just shape flashy traits.
It can also foster the development of something else: social intelligence
Let’s spotlight some courtship behaviors
Happy Valentine’s Day 💌
Citius, Altius, Fortius — faster, higher, stronger.
Sexual selection is often told as a competition story.
But is courtship really a one-way performance?
👇 Examples in the next post.
#ValentinesDay #EvolutionaryBiology #EvoKE
14.02.2026 11:44
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2026 Darwin Day Symposium
Journey Into Darkness: The Allegory of the Cave
Thursday, February 12th @ 7:00 PM EST
images of bones on a black background with NABT and NCSE logos.
Free Darwin Day webinar!
Thurs., Feb. 12th, at 7:00 PM ET.
Teachers and students register at: https://f.mtr.cool/qlqeyleuwl
Join NABT and NCSE as we proudly host Rick Hunter and K. Lindsay Hunter as a special encore of the 2025 NABT Evolution Symposium.
09.02.2026 16:03
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If you’re marking Darwin Day through teaching, research, outreach, or events, feel free to share or tag us. We’d love to connect and amplify what the EvoKE community is doing.
#DarwinDay #EvolutionaryBiology #Sustainability #EvoKE
12.02.2026 09:56
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📚 Sources
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
12.02.2026 09:56
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Darwin Day, February 12th 2026, EvoKE
Anticipate evolution to protect human health
Pathogens and cancer cells evolve rapidly.
Evolutionary biology helps us design health interventions, from antibiotics to cancer therapies, that anticipate evolutionary responses, slowing resistance instead of accelerating it.
Design food systems that work with evolution
Pests and pathogens adapt quickly to uniform crops and intensive practices.
Evolutionary thinking supports diversity-based and adaptive farming strategies that reduce evolutionary arms races and increase long-term food security.
Protect evolutionary potential in a changing world
Species and ecosystems respond to climate change through evolutionary and ecological processes that unfold over time.
Evolutionary biology highlights the importance of intraspecific biodiversity and helps identify which populations hold higher adaptive potential, and informs management and conservation plans to support resilience.
Today we celebrate Darwin Day! 🎉
Today is not just about celebrating Darwin, but about how evolutionary biology helps us address today’s challenges.
Evolution is not only about the past. It’s a way of thinking for building more sustainable futures.
How are you marking Darwin Day?
12.02.2026 09:56
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Sources: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
www.britannica.com/list/5-incre...
www.discoverwildlife.com/people/facts...
www.thoughtco.com/women-scient...
11.02.2026 10:29
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Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🎉
We’re celebrating by highlighting women who have shaped evolutionary biology.
Who are the women scientists that inspire you?
#WomenInScience #February11 #EvolutionaryBiology #Feminism #EvoKE
11.02.2026 10:29
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🎉 Today marks 166 years of On the Origin of Species.
To celebrate, here’s a Portuguese edition 🇵🇹✨
Do you have a copy in your language?
Share your edition or favourite cover below. Let’s create a global shelf of Darwin’s work! 🌍
#OriginOfSpecies #Darwin #Evolution
24.11.2025 16:09
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📢 We are pleased to announce the results of the EvoKE Election 2025!
Meet the newly elected #EvoKE Board members 🎉
👉 evokeproject.org/evoke-2025-e...
Thank you to all who participated and to our outgoing Board for their incredible work! 💫
24.11.2025 15:05
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A heartfelt thank you to all the #EvoKE2025 workshop facilitators for creating such engaging, hands-on, and inspiring sessions! 🌿💫
Your creativity and openness made this edition truly special. 🙏
12.11.2025 11:30
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A special thank you to all our plenary speakers at #EvoKE2025 for their inspiring talks and thought-provoking perspectives! 🌿💫
Your contributions truly enriched the conference🙏
12.11.2025 11:26
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Thank you for the great presentation at #EvoKE2025 and for sharing this fantastic resource! 👏
It’s an inspiring example of how to make evolution education more engaging and creative! Congratulations on this wonderful work! 🌿✨
12.11.2025 10:56
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⏰ Reminder! There’s still time to shape the future of #EvolutionEducation and #EvolutionOutreach.
Submit your nomination for the EvoKE Election 2025 by October 31st!
👉 More info: evokeproject.org/2025/09/09/e...
20.10.2025 16:49
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Not sure yet about joining #EvoKE2025? Here’s a reason 👇
🎙️ Spyros Sfenthourakis will dive into “On apes and men, or, misconceptions, tactics, and truths in talking about evolution to the public”.
A unique chance to reflect on how we communicate evolution.
See you in Athens?
🔗 bit.ly/47QaDPx
25.09.2025 11:07
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Thinking about whether #EvoKE2025 is for you? Don’t miss this!
✍️ Rita Ponce will guide the workshop “Creating written content — crafting evolution stories and getting your message across”
Learn how to communicate evolution in clear, engaging, and impactful ways.
See you in Athens?
🔗 bit.ly/47QaDPx
23.09.2025 08:48
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Still deciding about #EvoKE2025? This might help:
Dana Zeidler will give a plenary talk on “The Evolution of Epistemic Insight and Socioscientific Issues in Science Education: A Scientific Literacy Perspective”
A must-hear for anyone passionate about science education and literacy
🔗 bit.ly/47QaDPx
22.09.2025 08:56
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Still not sure about joining #EvoKE2025? 👇
💡 Workshop with Tania Jenkins: “(Co)-designing evolutionary research, education and outreach for societal impact”.
A hands-on opportunity to explore how research and education can create meaningful change in society.
See you in Athens?
🔗 bit.ly/47QaDPx
19.09.2025 08:45
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Still wondering if #EvoKE2025 in Athens is for you?
✨ Don’t miss Maria João Fonseca on “Evolution education in science centres and museums”.
Her talk will explore how informal learning spaces can transform the way we engage the public with evolution.
See you in Athens?
🔗 bit.ly/47QaDPx
18.09.2025 17:44
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🚨 Reminder!
The deadline to submit for #EvoKE25 is September 25th 🗓️
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this!
👉 More info & dates: evokeproject.org/important-da...
@eseb.bsky.social @evolletters.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social @natecoevo.nature.com @jevbio.bsky.social
15.09.2025 10:56
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