Who am I ?

I often wear two hats, the first as a forest ecophysiologist, carrying out research into the effect anthropogenic pollutants can have on forest health, and another as an expedition leader and outdoor instructor. Fortunately, I do not find these two disciplines mutually exclusive, as an outdoor professional I am lucky enough to guide groups to remote and wonderful forest locations around the world, which feeds my appetite to better understand the ecological processes underpinning the nature of these forests—then communicate this understanding to whoever will listen!

As a young postgraduate with a biology degree, I followed my interest in wildlife and wild places to British Columbia, Canada, where I delved into the vast temperate rainforests for several years, working as a grizzly bear guide, forest surveyor, tree planter and ski instructor. Exposure to these forests sparked my academic curiosity, and I returned to the UK to undertake a master’s degree and now doctoral research in forest ecology.

At present, I am a NERC (UK Government) funded PhD student, in the Envision Doctoral Training Program hosted by Bangor University and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. As I continue my academic training in Snowdonia, North Wales, I am attempting to bring together my scientific interest with outdoor instruction and expedition leading, through designing and delivering bespoke residential environmental science programs and guiding groups in the forests of the UK and around the world.

Experience

Science Program Lead (Freelance) - The Bioasis

Designed student-led research projects for environmental science A-level students in remote environments. Delivered residential 5-day programs, specializing in sessions such as study design (e.g., forming research questions and hypotheses, scientific methodologies), data collection (ecological sampling techniques), and data analysis (statistical approaches and interpretation).

Expedition Leader - British Exploring Society

Led science outreach programs for young people in an expedition format. Received training and experience in guiding during >2-week expeditions in remote environments, including further wilderness first aid training.

Grizzly Bear Guide and Naturalist Knight Inlet Lodge

Led water and land-based bear viewing tours, attaining advanced boating and first aid qualifications. Managed guest expectations, safety, and experience whilst viewing grizzly bears. Developed naturalist abilities and knowledge of BC flora and fauna.

Responsible for the delivery of bushcraft courses (5-day residentials) to groups of up to 90 young people, teachers, and staff in remote forest environments. Led sessions in fire lighting, shelter building, trapping & tracking, wilderness cooking, plant identification, archery, and tomahawk throwing. Managed all aspects of camp operations, including food preparation and administration of young people’s medication.

Camp Leader The Bushcraft Company

Education

2020

MSc in Environmental Forestry

Bangor University

2015

BSc in Biological Sciences

University of Bristol

Language

English (Fluent)

Professional proficiency in verbal and written communication.

Spanish (Intermediate-Advanced)

Professional proficiency in verbal and written communication.

Welsh (Beginner-Intermediate)

Able to speak and understand basic Welsh.

Qualifications

Mountain Leader

UK Mountain Training Mountain Leader Qualification with advanced wilderness first aid certification.

SKI Instructor

Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance Level 2 and British Association of Snow-Sports Instructors Level 1 qualified.

Bear Guiding

Level 1 bear viewing guide with bear awareness and safety certification. Small vessel operator license (SVOP).

Work with me

If you’re planning an outdoor programme, field research campaign or need ecology-led interpretation, let’s talk.