Dr David Waterhouse BSc (hons), MSc, PGCE, PhD

Curator, Polar Museum

Biography

Career

• 2023-present: Curator, The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
• 2016-2023: Senior Curator of Natural History & Geology, Norfolk Museums Service
• 2012-2016: Curator of Natural History, Norfolk Museums Service
• 2007-2012: Assistant Curator of Natural History, Norfolk Museums Service
• 2002-2005: Senior Research Demonstrator, School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin
• 2001: Junior Invertebrate Keeper, Bristol Zoological Gardens

Qualifications

• 2005: PhD Zoology, University College Dublin (National University of Ireland)
• 2002: MSc Palaeobiology, University of Bristol
• 2001: Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of Bristol
• 2000: Joint Honours Degree in Biology & Geology, University of Bristol

Research

David Waterhouse is a curator, palaeontologist, evolutionary biologist and illustrator. He previously spent sixteen years at Norfolk Museums Service as Senior Curator of Natural History and Geology. He was co-creator of Norfolk's 'Deep History Coast' project. His excavation experience includes the oldest archaeological site in northern Europe at Happisburgh in Norfolk, a complete ichthyosaur in Whitby, North Yorkshire, and a Tyrannosaurus rex in Montana, USA.

Publications

Papers

• Teixeira, C., Waterhouse, D. M., Moura, L. and Andrade, P. 2019. Displaying a taxidermy rhinoceros in a museum: the Lisbon conservation approach. I Seminário Nacional de Conservação de Coleções Científicas (1st National Seminar on the Conservation of Scientific Collections). Conservar Património, 1-15
• Waterhouse, D. M., Lindow, B. E. K., Zelenkov, N. V. and Dyke, G. J. 2008. Two new fossil parrots (Psittaciformes) from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Palaeontology, 51 (3), 575-582
• Waterhouse, D. M. 2006. Parrots in a nutshell: The fossil record of Psittaciformes (Aves). Historical Biology, 18, 223-234
• Dyke, G.J. Waterhouse, D. M. and Kristoffersen, A. V. 2004 Three new fossil landbirds from the early Paleogene of Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 51, 47-56
• van Tuinen, M., Waterhouse, D. M. and Dyke, G. J. 2004. Avian molecular systematics on the rebound: improved phylogenetic resolution among modern shorebirds. Journal of Avian Biology 35, 191-194
• Dyke, G. J. and Waterhouse, D. M. 2001. A mousebird (Aves: Coliiformes) from the Eocene of England. Journal für Ornithologie 142, 7-15

Books and articles

• Davies, J.A and Waterhouse, D. M. 2023. Exploring Norfolk's Deep History Coast. The History Press.
• Waterhouse, D. M. Vervet monkey, African grey parrot, Indian star tortoise shell, Agate, cut and polished, Rock Crystal (pp. 256-257, 310 and 313) in Moore A, Flis, N. and Vanke, F. (eds) 2018. The Paston Treasure: Microcosm of the Known World. Yale University Press.
• Waterhouse, D. M. (ed) 2014. The Wonder of Birds: nature, art, culture. Norfolk Museums Service
• Thatcher, K., Collins, I., and Waterhouse, D. M. 2011. Norwich Taxidermists: T.E. Gunn and his son, F.E. Gunn in Wildfowling at Wells: the world of Frank Southgate. Wells local History Group
• Waterhouse, D. M. 2003. Sylvester-Bradley reports: A new shorebird from the Green River Formation of Wyoming. The Palaeontological Association Newsletter, Number 53

Illustrations

In museum displays

• The National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. 2016
• The Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum displays, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norfolk, UK. 2015
• The Natural History Gallery, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norfolk, UK. 2009
• The British Bird Gallery. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norfolk, UK. 2008

In publications

• Waterhouse, D. M. (ed) 2014. The Wonder of Birds: nature, art, culture. Norfolk Museums Service
• Yeoman, K. and Bowater, L. 2012. Science Communication: a practical guide for scientists. Wiley-Blackwell
• Zelenkov, N.V and Dyke, G.J. 2008. The fossil record and evolution of mousebirds (Aves: Coliiformes).Palaeontology. 51, 6
• Dyke, G.J. and Norell, M.A. 2005. Caudipteryx as a non-avian theropod rather than a flightless bird. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 50 (1): 101–116
• Dyke, G.J. and van Tuinen, M. 2004. The evolutionary radiation of modern birds (Neornithes): reconciling molecules, morphology and the fossil record. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141,153-177
• Chiappe, L.M. and y Vargas, A. 2003. Emplumando Dinosaurios: La Transición Evolutiva de Terópodos a Aves. Hornero 18, 1-11
• Chiappe, L.M. and Dyke, G.J. 2002. The Cretaceous radiation of birds. Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics 33, 91-124
• Dyke, G. J. 2001. A primitive swift from the London Clay and the relationships of fossil apodiform birds. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 21, 195-200

External activities

Fieldwork

• 2017: Palaeolithic (Hoxnian Stage) archaeology excavation, 'Devereux's Pit', near West Stow, Suffolk, UK. Norfolk Museums Service/Pathways to Ancient Britain project
• 2007-2011: Palaeolithic (Cromerian Stage) archaeology excavations, Happisburgh, Norfolk, UK. Norfolk Museums Service/Ancient Human Occupation of Britain project
• 2003: Tyrannosaurus rex excavation, Montana, USA. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
• 2000: Ichthyosaur excavation, Yorkshire, UK. Yorkshire Museum/University of Bristol
• 2000: Hare (Lepus europaeus) radio-tracking. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol
• 2000: Greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) radio-tracking. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol