World-renowned spider expert brings knowledge to Piedmont – and Netflix

For most people, spiders are a minor fright or small nuisance. But for Piedmont’s own Dr. Rebecca Godwin, one of the world’s foremost experts on trapdoor spiders, they are fascinating, everyday companions.

“I want people to know that they are more than just fangs with legs,” says Godwin, assistant professor of biology. Her expertise on trapdoor spiders means she receives inquiries from across the world about spiders; as she speaks, spiders sent to her from across America rest on her desk for her identification.

The latest inquiry came from Netflix;  Godwin consulted for and assisted with filming 2023’s Life on Our Planet documentary series, produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman. A major part of her work was staging scenes with trapdoor spiders, which gave her a glimpse of the rarely-seen world of documentary production.

“Spiders aren’t always cooperative,” she says, recalling a scene where production wanted a trapdoor spider to lunge for – but ultimately miss – a tiger beetle. “We threw so many beetles at her burrow trying to get her to attack,” Godwin laughed, but the resulting shot makes a stunning demonstration of the trapdoor spider’s behavior.

Although she now devotes her studies to them, spiders were not always Dr. Godwin’s species of choice. Her path wound from studies of carnivorous plants, to museum and science communication work, to science programs with children, then finally to her current position at Piedmont.

“My winding path makes me more confident that I chose the right focus,” she says, “because I have tried several things but love this the most.”  

Dr. Godwin’s abundance of experience and knowledge exemplify the excellence of Piedmont University’s faculty. The very same faculty helped inspire her to take a position at Piedmont: “I had the opportunity to speak to them when I visited and liked them immediately,” she says. In addition, Piedmont’s emphasis on undergraduate research and beautiful location influenced her move.

When asked for final thoughts, Dr. Godwin knows immediately her answer: “spiders are incredibly diverse and interesting,” she says. “If you can try not to be scared, and try to see them as helpers, you can open yourself up to their whole fascinating little world.”