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Unstoppable: Kura Paul-Burke

Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber tell each other inspiring tales of pioneering female scientists– the stories they wish they’d known about the women that came before them.

This week, how Māori marine scientist Kura-Paul Burke is combining indigenous knowledge with marine science to save the oceans that are so integral to her heritage.

Growing up in 1970s New Zealand, Kura-Paul Burke faced stigma due to her Māori roots. But, after finding herself studying marine science as an adult, Kura leaned on her heritage to take on a problem where many had already failed: restoring a lost population of precious, green-lipped mussels. Discover how Māori ancestresses, tribal elders and centuries-old knowledge inspired the ingenious methods of Aotearoa's first female Māori professor of marine science.

(Photo: Dr Kura Paul-Burke in a vessel at sea. She has long grey hair and is smiling, with waves in the background and a rocky landmass. Credit: Dr Kura Paul-Burke)

Producer/presenter: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston, Anna Charalambou and Josie Hardy
Sound engineer: Ella Roberts
Production co-ordinator: Ishmael Soriano
Editor: Holly Squire

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26 minutes

Last on

Mon 27 Jul 202600:32GMT
BBC World Service

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