Speaking Engagements

● School Groups ● Public Speaking ● Community Events ● Media & Expert Comment ●

Since 2023,

4890

Primary & high school students (and counting!) presented to…

From

318

different schools…

Across

11

Countries

If she’s doing it, maybe I can too.

Why do I want to speak?

When I was in high school, there was such pressure to know exactly what I wanted to do afterwards - and I had no idea.

It felt like there was no one who was in a similar boat, and it was stressful not being able to see a pathway to the future that felt right for me. After a gap year, travelling the world, switching universities and degrees, moving cities, trying out a huge range of different fields and topics, and working in a wide variety of jobs - I finally found something that I loved.

I now love sharing my story of how I got to where I am, and providing exposure to some of the incredible places, degrees, sciences, jobs and opportunities out there that are possible for others.

Sharing my passion for science, history, and helping people to find their pathway to what they enjoy is what I love.

Let's Talk

Things I can talk all day about…

POPULAR PROGRAMS

Animal Features Workshop

40 mins – 1 hour session

Students compare modern animal features with ancient ones like dinosaurs and megafauna to learn about adaptations and environmental change. They will get to interact with real fossil specimens, and have their palaeontology questions answered!

Aligned with Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus

PREHISTORIC EDITION

Dinosaur Trackways

20 – 40 minute session

Drawing upon my own fieldwork and research across the world, students learn how palaeontologists act as detectives to solve the clues that dinosaurs leave behind through their footprints. Students will get to interact with real dinosaur and other fossils in this hands-on workshop.

Only available for groups up to 35 students

WORKSHOP

Palaeontologist

30 mins – 1.5 hour session

Available online or in-person, your class can submit 10-20 questions about careers in STEM, university pathways, dinosaurs, fossils, megafauna and all things palaeontology ahead of our session, and I will create a custom presentation for your class, delivered live to your classroom.

Online sessions can have ulimited numbers!

INTERVIEW WITH A

2025 Schools Pricing Guides

Download the pricing guide using the buttons below!

Metro Schools*

*For Schools in Sydney

Rural/Regional Schools

Keynote Talks

Conference talks

Comedy gigs

Women in STEM panels

Presentations to university students

Museum dinosaur shows

Lightning Talks and Lectures

Pub talks

Topics

Women in STEM

Leadership
Role Models & the Power of Visibility
Pathways to Science
Adventures in Saying YES

Science & Palaeontology

Dinosaurs & Fossils
Palaeontology Fieldwork
Australian Megafauna

History & Archaeology

Ancient Egyptian archaeology
Archaeological excavations
How we learn about the past
The Role of Museums

My Research

The Found a Fossil project
Finding Fossils in Australia
Distrust and Trust in Museums
Heritage Policy in Australia

Keynote Address

From conference opening addresses to leadership summits, these talks aim to empower through the sharing of fun and relatable stories, expereinces, and research.

Hands-on Fossil Display & Stall

A popular choice for fete’s, community shows and fairs, or to compliment your Science Week activities. I’ll bring real fossils and museum-grade replicas that audiences can interact with, and I’ll be there to answer all of your fossil or dinosaur questions!

Woman, Sally Hurst, presenting for Dinosaur Festival at Australian Museum

Want to connect your students or commuity with a scientist?

I’m Sally.

An experienced public speaker, educator, and presenter, ready to talk to your students about a range of topics - from dinosaurs to careers in STEM!

Who am I? What do I do?

"Favourite presenters: most people picked Sally Hurst aka The Dinosaur Lady”

- Students from the Year 12 Leadership Forum, Macquarie Univeristy

Talks

Check out some examples of my previous talks and public speaking events!

See all Talks ➜

Where I’ve Spoken

From conferences around the world, to a varity of museums, radio shows, schools, and even comedy shows, I’ve been invited to speak at a huge array of events and locations.

Want me to speak on your radio program, for your news article, or at your next event?

Let's Talk!

Blog Media portfolio

Frankie Magazine Article

I had the best time chatting to writer Rhiana Jay all about my adventures in palaeontology!

Women in Palaeontology Panel - Dinosaur Dreaming

In celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I hosted a fantastic panel of some incredible female palaeontologists and got insights into the careers, adventures, and challenges.

Superstars of STEM Panel - Girls to Graduates

Bringing together Superstars of STEM from Maquarie University, we were able to answer questions for the Girls to Graduates STEM Camp!

Dinosaur Dig at Inverloch, Victoria

In February I was able to head down to the Dinosaur Coast in Victoria to look for new dinosaur fossils!

ABC Radio Brisbane - Finding Fossils

Hear Founder of Found a Fossil, Sally Hurst chat with Cathie Schnitzerling about what to do if you find a fossil, or Indigenous artefact in Australia.

Geoconservation Research: More than Museums

My latest paper about the relationship between fossils, First Nations peoples and museums.

The Conversation - Everything is Country

Learn how grassroots projects are protecting heritage outside of museum walls.

Sky News - New dinosaur poo research!

I was able to provide expert comment on new research about dinosaur poo!

Alberta Palaeontological Society Speaker Series

Talking about human interactions with fossils through time, this was a great way to connect my research in Australia and my fieldwork in Canada.

Pals in Palaeo podcast

Listen to my podcast episode of Pals in Palaeo, hosted by the incredible Adele Pentland!

Interpretation Australia Conference Keynote

How can we have a big impact, but leave a small footprint when creating projects to engage the public? My keynote presentation drew on my own experience in how igniting change can begin with just one person.

Mitchell Youth Leadership Forum

Invited as a keynote speaker, we discussed expanding our definitions of leadership, service, and helping others.

Girls to Graduates - Regional Roadshow

Girls to Graduates aims to engage and empower girls and women in STEM. I spend a week in the NSW north coast running workshops, panels, and presentations with schools to give them a taste of science, and of university life.

Palaeontology @ Astronomy Open Night

Macquarie University’s Astronomy Open NIght is one of our largest events of the year, bringing together professionals and enthusiasts for all things stars, space, and science!

Animal Adaptations at Artarmon Public School

Integrating Australian cirriculum content into a lesson about animal features, with some fossil flavour thrown in!

Science in the Suburbs - Comedy Shows

Dinosaur sexual organs? Finding a dinosaur in your backyard? Accidentally being sent a human finger bone? This comedy talk for Science Week had it all!

Rhodes Science Fair - Fossil Stall & Jurassic Comedy Show

With a fossil touch table and a Jurassic Comedy Show on the line up, this was an awesome day engaging the community for National Science Week!

Dinosaur Provincial Park - What to do if you find a dinosaur in your backyard

Whilst on fieldwork digging up dinosaurs in Canada, I got to share my resarch with visitors to Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta!

Landholders Guide to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Workshop

Discussing the role of landholders in protecting Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, this open conversation helped to mythbust fears and answer questions about finding things on private property.

Seeing yourself as a leader - MQ Keynote

Who do you imagine when you picture a ‘leader’? I share my leadership journey with Yer 12 students from across NSW to how they can shift their perspecive to start seeing themselves as leaders.

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum Virtual Speaker Series

Talking all about the Found a Fossil project and how we can do better in communicating fossil protections to the general public.

“The children are still talking about your lesson and I’m sure will remember it for a long time.”

Sarah, Woodhill Primary, London

Upcoming events.

Check out some of the upcoming events I’ve got booked in!

Events

*Please note that events shown on this calendar do note reflect my real-time availability. Please get in touch directly to see if I am available to attend your upcoming event!

Sally is available for speaking engagements and events.

Let’s Work Together!

"My favourite presenter was Sally as she gave an incredible perspective of her life and how leadership and inspiration is all around and if you ever feel lost it’s just a step along the way."

Student at year 12 Leadership Forum, Macquarie University
"My daughter didn’t stop talking about you the whole way home. Loved the talk and the hands on activities! You hit the mark perfectly! You were the best STEM speaker ever!"

Rachel, Parent
“Sally’s enthusiasm to communicate and educate through the exploration of science and history is infectious. She confidently explores connections between the two disciplines, offering a view into a world most of us would never think to explore.”

Selina, Macquarie University
"Sally shone with her ability to communicate scientific concepts to children of all ages and the public in a fun, engaging and educational manner. Wherever possible, she wove the activities into stories to captivate the audience."

Joanne Jamie, National Indigenous Science Education Program
"Favourite presenters: most people picked Sally Hurst aka The Dinosaur Lady.”

Students from Year 12 Leadership Forum, Macquarie University
"I want to sincerely thank you for your time and expertise today. I have heard nothing but praise for your presentation. Teachers have told me that it was really interesting and engaging. It is so valuable for our students to hear real scientists talk about their fields of expertise. Your artifacts and fossils were fascinating for them to see and they were really impressed that you answered all their questions too. "

Marianna, Year 4 teacher,
St. Marks Public School Drummoyne
We would like to send you our big thanks for your informative live session! I and my students have learned a lot about dinosaurs and fossils. Some of them even got "crazy" when they found that T-rex may look like a chicken. They really appreciate the valuable information you gave them! Some of them are still shy, they said that they loved to listen!

Year 11 Teacher, Vo Thi Sau High School Vietnam
“My favourite presenter would probably have to be Sally. I did not only find her interesting as a person and an academic success but an inspiration in how I can approach life and the opportunity that life offers. I see her as a role model and the living ideology that getting to where you are isn’t a linear straight path and so I naturally aspire to be like her.”

Student, year 12 Leadership Forum, Macquarie University