Teaching
I served as TA for several different courses as a graduate student at UT Austin. The majority of my time was spent assisting with two field courses: Introductory Field Biology (taught by Kay McMurry) and Field Ecology (taught by Lawrence E. Gilbert). Both courses heavily utilized Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL), a unique urban field station located within short driving distance of the UT Austin campus. In addition to giving many students firsthand access to natural history, this arrangement permits students to conduct a variety of group and independent research projects.
I have a strong interest in developing similar courses in the future that feature interactive experimental design and field study. Such experiences, which are often undervalued today, are the raw material that produces great science and scientists. Organisms in nature are, after all, a focal point of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Larry Gilbert showing Field Ecology students plant identification in the Tamaulipan Thornscrub of Chaparral Wildlife Management Area
Introduction to Biology II (BIO 311D)
Seed Plant Reproduction & Physiology (INB 322 & 122L)
Field Biology (INB 208L)
Field Ecology (INB 373L)
Courses taught (as TA)
Seminar on ongoing Pseudopoecilia work
Outreach
I enjoy doing natural history outreach of all kinds! In Fall 2023, I gave a broad talk on the "Natural History of Central Texas" to UT's fantastic outreach group Science Under the Stars. You can view the talk here:
I was also an invited panelist for the Austin Film Society's "Science On Screen" series during which I was interviewed about hummingbird biology and local bird ecology following a screening of the documentary Every Little Thing:
In Spring 2024, 2025, and 2026, I co-led Travis Audubon Birdathons at Brackenridge Field Laboratory.
Popular Science Writing
Another passion of mine is popular science writing. So far, I've published a single magazine article and a few blog posts on evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, and natural history (listed below!):
4. Inman, C. 2021. "The Ecological Spirit of Austin". Texas EEB Club Blog. https://texaseeb.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/the-ecological-spirit-of-austin/
3. Inman, C. 2020. "Theory and Natural History in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology". Theoretical Natural History Blog. https://theoreticalnaturalhistory.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/theory-and-natural-history-in-ecology-and-evolutionary-biology/
2. Inman, C. 2020. "Evolutionary Conflicts: An Overview". Theoretical Natural History Blog. https://theoreticalnaturalhistory.wordpress.com/2020/03/19/evolutionary-conflicts-an-overview/
1. Inman, C. 2019. "Mother Nature Is Not Maternal". Areo Magazine. https://areomagazine.com/2019/10/16/mother-nature-is-not-maternal/