Cadell Last

I am an evolutionary anthropologist (MSc.) with a multi-disciplinary educational background in biology, anthropology, and history. I completed my undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and my Masters degree at the University of Toronto, in Toronto, Ontario. In the past my research has focused broadly on the evolution of primate sleeping patterns and the implications for understanding human bipedality and circadian rhythms. I have also conducted research on the evolution of language, the development of civilization, European colonialism, and the origin and development of evolutionary theory. In the past, my main academic passion was understanding the difference between chimpanzees and humans. Currently, I would like to direct my future research career towards developing an understanding of human system development by applying anthropological, evolutionary, and cybernetic theory at the Global Brain Institute in Belgium. I believe our species is a phenomenon of unparalleled complexity, unpredictability, and intelligence that is rapidly developing towards a new level of order best described as a Global Brain. Outside of academia, I am a science writer with publications in Scientific American, Humanity+, and Jane Goodall Institute and with a blog featured by Svbtle that focuses on human evolutionary science (theratchet.ca). Finally, I am also the creator, writer, researcher, and narrator for an animated science channel in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios. I believe popular science outreach is essential to building a global culture prepared to face the problems that exist (and will emerge) in the 21st century.

August 2013