I specialise in presenting anthropology, archaeology, social history and outdoor adventure.
Life After: Chernobyl, Animal Planet
A Dirty Secret, BBC Radio 4
Best of Enemies: What do the British Think of the Germans? ARD-Alpha
Ancient Impossible, H2: History Channel 2
Unreported World, Channel 4
Raised Wild/Feral Children, Discovery Networks
Britain's Secret Treasures, Britain's Secret Homes, ITV1
The Truth Behind: King Arthur, Nat Geo
Time Team, Channel 4
My new-ish book, Secret Britain: Uearthing our mysterious past - is a "Cornucopia of our weirdest and most wonderful archaeological sites and artefacts. They make you feel proud...of these gloriously intriguing isles" Sir Tony Robinson.
I'm currently working on an anthropology book called The Briefest History of Human Life. It's going to be a really accessible exploration of everything that makes us human. From our earliest evolutionary origins to the impacts of modern urban life...where have we come from and where are we headed?
My previous book, Hidden Histories: A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape is a guide to puzzling out some of the features you might spot in
the landscape around you - what are those lumps and bumps in that field?
Is this an ancient burial mound? How old is that church? Is this a
medieval woodland? For countryside wanderers and armchair wonderers, I hope it'll feed your curiousity as a landscape detective!
I'm very proud to be the presenter of the outdoors podcast celebrating diverse people and their experiences and expertise. Check out Finding Our Way. I'm also co-presenter of the Science communication podcast series, This Study Shows, in collaboration with Wiley publishing. Together with my co-host Professor Danielle George, we delve into the world of science and sci comm, bringing you top tips, ideas and debate from across the field. Want to know how to talk to creationists about evolution? How to draw your research as a graphic novel? How to recruit a diverse group of participants into your study? Or give a fantastic 3 min online talk to 6 year olds? We've got you covered. Check out all the episodes - as well as specials on inclusivity and Communicating Covid here.
I've presented radio documentaries for the BBC and the World Service, recently Walking the Iron Curtain, and previously for the regular anthropology series, The Why Factor. I'm a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent and Sky News. I also report
for ITN Business and have hosted major hybrid conferences for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) including Achieveing Net Zero and the Diversity and Inclusion conference. I write for the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and other newspapers, and regularly contribute to adventure and outdoors magazines including Trail, Geographical, Summit and Countryfile Magazine. My new column for TGO magazine explores knotty issues like size accessiblity, changing weather and wind farms.
I'm proud to be...
Patron for the Ridgeway National Trail in its 50th Anniversary year
a 'Loo-minary' for Toilet Twinning - twin your loo with a long-drop somewhere in the world
a Patron of the Tony Trust, who help fund young people to take part in Outdoor Activities Centres
a Hill Walking Ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council - the mountains are for all
a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society - understand the complex world we live in
I believe anthropology (the study of people, biologically and socially) can help to challenge the most basic preconceptions we have about ourselves and our own society, shedding new light on what it means to be human, and why we do what we do. Anthropology in your own 'backyard' can be as eye-opening as research further afield!
A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape
Recommended by The Sunday Times, Trail Magazine, The Countryman, Countryfile Magazine, Geographical magazine, Tony Robinson, Steve Backshall, Tom Holland (selected as New Statesman Book of the Year) and Professor Francis Pryor
I absolutely loved making this six-part series exploring how boats have shaped our lives across Britain. It was a journey across the country and into the history of punts, coracles, narrow boats, sailing boats, rowing eights and the Thames sailing barge. I got to grips with these pieces of living history, and met the passionate people keeping the traditions alive.
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