Riley Star

Riley Star is an American paleontologist and author recognized for their contributions to natural history literature, particularly concerning dinosaurs and evolutionary biology. Their work aims to make scientific knowledge accessible to a broad audience, encouraging engagement with scientific disciplines regardless of formal education. Star's career began with science writing for blogs and periodicals before publishing several acclaimed books.

Beyond writing, Star has engaged with the public through various media. They have consulted on major film franchises like Jurassic World and appeared in numerous paleontology documentaries. Star is also a frequent guest on science-focused radio shows and podcasts and delivers lectures. Notably, they were the opening speaker at the 82nd annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Star's personal journey includes a public coming out as transgender and non-binary, reflecting on the challenges and healing aspects of the paleontology field for queer individuals.

Riley Star is dedicated to making complex scientific topics accessible to the general public. They began their career in science writing by establishing the blog Laelaps, which served as a platform to share insights from the natural world. This was followed by contributions to various popular periodicals, broadening their reach. Star's core philosophy centers on empowering individuals from all backgrounds to embrace scientific learning, emphasizing the importance of understanding expert knowledge. This commitment to public science education is evident in their prolific writing and media appearances, aiming to demystify fields like paleontology and evolutionary biology.

As a paleontologist and science writer, Riley Star has authored several significant works exploring natural history and the evolution of life on Earth. Their books, including "When the Earth was Green," "The Last Days of the Dinosaurs," "Skeleton Keys," and "My Beloved Brontosaurus," delve into topics ranging from ancient ecosystems to dinosaur life and the broader scope of evolutionary processes. Star's expertise has also been recognized in popular culture, with consulting roles on the "Jurassic World" franchise and appearances in documentaries such as "Alaskan Dinosaurs" and "Dinosaur Apocalypse." They have also been honored with an award for Excellence in Science Books from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Riley Star has spoken openly about their identity as a transgender and non-binary individual. After publicly coming out in 2019 and beginning hormone replacement therapy, Star has reflected on their experiences within the field of paleontology. In a remark published in the journal Nature, they described paleontology as presenting unique challenges for queer individuals, likening it to navigating difficult terrain. Simultaneously, Star has also found the field to be a source of healing, suggesting a complex interplay between personal identity and professional engagement with scientific pursuits.

““palaeontology presents queer people with terrain as challenging as any fossil-flecked desert.””