I specialise in presenting anthropology, archaeology, social history and outdoor adventure.

For me, it’s all about discovering and telling people’s stories in the most exciting and compelling way – on TV, radio, podcast, in print and in person.

From the heart of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone, to conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the slums of Dhaka, the backstreets of Swansea, and the high fells of Britain’s Lake District.

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!

Mary-Ann has travelled extensively – for work and pleasure – to destinations including Tibet, Jordan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Algeria, Uganda, Argentina, Australia and Thailand.  She’s also explored nooks and corners of the British Isles, including Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides, Scilly Isles, Gower Peninsula and Scottish Highlands.

She’s an HSE certified PADI Divemaster, has trained with the British Sub-Aqua Club and has used full-face masks and comms systems.

She holds a current HABC Level 3 First Aid at Work award, is a qualified Oxygen Administrator and has training in first aid in remote and hostile environments.

She completed a Rory Peck Trust-approved Working in Hostile Regions training course in 2014 with Tyr Solutions.

Mary-Ann is an experienced offshore sailor, having completed crossings of the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. She’s a watchleader with the tall ship sailing charity Jubilee Sailing Trust.

She’s an experienced outdoorswoman, enjoys hiking, camping and bivvying in all weathers, is an enthusiastic horse rider and likes messing about on rivers.

Her rescue dog Harpo is one of her favourite buddies for adventuring.

Mary-Ann has offered insight to corporate clients across charity, consumer and communications sectors on topics as diverse as ‘Britishness’, the psychology of risk, online friendship and community cohesion.

She produces reports regularly for ITN Industry News across a range of sectors, including motoring, finance, engineering innovation, health and social care and tourism development.

Clients have included:

– The RAC                                      – Autodesk

– Royal Geographical Society        – Pensions & Life Savings Association

– BNP Paribas                                – Tourism Northern Ireland

– Inspired Life                                 – Institute of Art and Ideas

– One World Media Awards            – Centre for Vision in the Developing World

– Panasonic                                    – Virgin Media

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A quick, warm and versatile speaker, Mary-Ann has given a broad range of keynote and educational lectures, hosted awards and chaired debates and seminars.

Recent events include hosting the Royal Geographical Society annual Microlectures, and presenting feature talks and workshops at travel and adventure events including the Keswick Mountain Festival, Luxury Travel Fair at Olympia, Kendal Mountain Festival and the London Night of Adventure.
Her talks range from quirky keynotes on tribal leadership, tales of adventure from her expedition notebooks, to opening talks on human rights, cultural capital and social evolution.

She has research and practical volunteering interests in disability issues, community and criminal justice and development and education. She is a member of an Independent Custody Visiting panel, is a watchleader with disability sailing charity, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, is a ‘Loo-minary’ of the international ToiletTwinning organisation, and has served as an awards presenter and juror for the One World Media awards.

Get in touch to discuss your event