Meet the Presenter

Simon Garrett - Head of public engagement, Bristol Zoological Society

I started off catching minnows in the Thames, finding woodlice under bits of wood and watching deer in Richmond Park. Much, much later I gained a Biology degree at the University of Bristol and then secured a summer job at Bristol Zoo Gardens in 1989 painting faces, doing animal encounters, writing and illustrating education packs, etc. I then led a six-month biological expedition to Venezuela.  On my return in 1990 I took a year’s Education Officer job at the Zoo … and stayed. 

Over the next 30 years, I developed a large team involved in all aspects of learning and public engagement, progressing through several job titles. On the way I have participated in projects in Zimbabwe, Cameroon and the Comoro Islands,  had one of my rainforest sessions featuring as a Radio 4 programme, seen the publication of three iterations of World Zoo Association Conservation Strategies, and helped shape and set up our sister site, Wild Place Project.  I kick-started the Zoo getting involved in further and then Higher Education such that we now have over 300 students on degree courses delivered jointly with several local college and university partners (now mostly delivered by our much-expanded Field Conservation and Science team, but I and some of my team still deliver on these courses and I co-lead a Masters module on Communication for Conservation).

I am a member of the International Zoo Educators’ Association (having participated in countless national, European and international conferences over the years). I chaired the BIAZA Education and Training Committee for six years (many years ago, when we changed from being ‘the Federation of Zoos’ to BIAZA), I sit on the Natural History Consortium Steering Group and Communicate Conference Committee, and the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project Steering Group – and all too frequently I write sentences that are way too long (and have lots of parentheses).

Of course lots has changed through these pandemic times, but I still have the pleasure of working for one of the oldest zoological societies, celebrating its history but also striving to be at the forefront of things. Interesting times!

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

David Field - Chief Executive Officer, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

David was appointed as CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in June 2020.

Prior to this David was CEO of the Zoological Society of East Anglia 2018-2020 and Zoological Director of the Zoological Society of London 2006– 2017. David’s previous roles included a number of positions within ZSL including Curator of Mammals and Curator of Whipsnade (August 2002). David arrived at ZSL from his previous appointments as Assistant Director at Dublin Zoo and Head Keeper at Edinburgh Zoo.

David was Chair of BIAZA a role he took in 2011-2016 and remains on Council. David was Chair of the EAZA Elephant TAG (to 2017) and is currently a Council Member of EAZA. David was a Council member of WAZA (to 2017) and is now the Chair of the WAZA Committee for Population Management. David is an Editor for the International Zoo Yearbook and was a member of the UK Governments Zoos Expert Committee. Most proudly David is also President of ABWAK.

Supporting Resources

• George Rabb's Evolution of Zoos Diagram
• How to Exhibit a Bullfrog
• Nudge Theory
• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Aileen Tennant - Head of Discovery and Learning, Dublin Zoo

Aileen is Head of Discovery and Learning at Dublin Zoo.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Niamh Potter - Discovery and Learning Manager, Dublin Zoo

Kelly Mara - Discovery and Learning Team Lead, Dublin Zoo

Niamh Potter works as Discovery and Learning Manager at Dublin Zoo. Kelly Mara works as Discovery and Learning Team Lead at Dublin Zoo.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Blair Cockburn - Education Officer, RZSS

Jasper Hughes - Education Officer, RZSS

Blair Cockburn has been a Discovery and Learning Officer with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo since 2014, acting as the specialist for secondary education throughout this time. Having studied Biological Sciences with Honours in Zoology, he graduated Edinburgh University in 2011. Blair achieved his Professional Graduate Diploma in Education from Strathclyde University in 2013. Following time teaching Science and Biology in Scottish secondary schools, Blair focusses on educational provision for 11-18 year olds and acts as an internal verifier for RZSS’s work with the SQA.

Following the first lock-down, he was part of the team, alongside Lizzie Seymour (RZSS’s Learning Technologist) and Jasper Hughes (RZSS’s Education Officer at the Highland Wildlife Park), tasked with developing and delivering an online alternative to RZSS’s established onsite courses aimed at 16-18 year olds (RZSS Science Summer School and the award-winning ZEBRA programme). This collaboration resulted in the RZSS Zoo Studies course.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Molly Frost - Community Ranger - Reclaiming Reds

Molly has been the Community Ranger for Reclaiming Reds since September 2020, helping set up the project from post-funding stage. Her current role involves managing the volunteer programme, Community Trap Loan Scheme, social media, website, and planning and delivering the community engagement programme. Molly is a BSc Wildlife Conservation and MSc Wildlife Conservation & UAV Technology graduate from Liverpool John Moores University, and therefore has knowledge and experience in a variety of conservation issues. She has worked in conservation education at both Knowsley Safari and Chester Zoo, and has overseas experience in field surveying skills, international outreach, and fundraising.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Jess Brackenridge - Climate Change Learning Coordinator, Glasgow Science Centre

Kenji Lamb - Digital Innovation Lead, College Development Network

Lizzie Seymour - Learning Technology Officer, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Stu Higgs - Schools Programme Manager, Ocean Conservation Trust

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Lynda Mc Sweeney - Education Manager - Fota Wildlife Park

As Fota Wildlife Park's education manager, I have accrued over 26 years experience in the field of conservation education. Having established the park's education programme in 1995, i have been fortunate to witness both its growth and diversification in recent decades. Fota's education department has also been a recipient of the Sandford Award since 2008 which recognises it as a centre of excellence for heritage education in both Ireland and the UK. Lynda has also been a member of the BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition judging panel since 1998.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Freyja Thomson - Public and Community Engagement Coodinator, Ocean Conservation Trust

I’m one of the Public and Community Engagement Coordinators at the Ocean Conservation Trust. I work at the National Marine Aquarium, communicating with the public about the importance of the Ocean and helping to create an Ocean Literate society. Through this, I help to create and deliver fun, engaging interactions and activities that our public engagement team help to run.

My favourite part of my job is helping everyone to love the Ocean, whether it is someone in a care home discovering the Ocean through a set of virtual reality goggles, or showing someone their first crab at the beach!

Before coming to the Ocean Conservation Trust, I studied for a degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography at Plymouth University, as well as volunteering around the UK. When I’m not working, you can find me crafting using sustainable materials, and collecting seaglass on trips to the beach!

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Holly Bestley - ZSL

I’ve been a big animal lover all my life and absolutely loved biology at school. I followed this passion to an undergraduate degree at Cambridge in Biological Natural Sciences and then to an MSc in Science Communication at Imperial College, London, which looked at all the different interfaces between science and the wider world.

In 2015 I joined ZSL to work in the press office, publicising the science and conservation work of the organisation for a few years, before moving across to the Learning Team at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in early 2018 to work with schools and young people.

I’ve since made it back to London Zoo to head up the Youth and Careers programme, thinking up new ways to work with young people in the local community and exploring how they can work for wildlife and the zoo can work for them.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Asim Krdzalic - Conservation & Education Integration Manager, Zoological Society of East Anglia

Asim, the Conservation & Education Integration Manager at Zoological Society of East Anglia, has been working in BIAZA/EAZA-accredited zoos for over 12 years now. Having been a part of both formal and informal education, he is enthusiastically passing on his experiences and knowledge to the next generation of Zoo Educators, whilst developing new interpretation and educational events. Asim is determined to make zoos more inclusive, creating the environment where each individual is empowered to actively participate in and enjoy their visit.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Jack Williams - Education & Events Coordinator, Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park

Jack is the Education & Events Coordinator at Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park. As a wildlife park within Askham Bryan College, Jack's role focuses on wildlife park visitor engagement and conservation-education, overseeing the development and delivery of the park's interpretation, animal-keeper talks/demonstrations, school visits and much more.

Prior to this role, Jack was the Centre Manager at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis. Jack is also the Education Coordinator for the Terrestrial Invertebrate Working Group, and has a passion for pocket sized taxa - including invertebrates, amphibians and rodents!

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Beccy Angus - Head of Discovery & Learning, RZSS

I've worked in engagement, learning and interpretation in heritage attractions for over twenty years. The past three and a half years have been have been incredible journey into the world of zoos and an inspirational, crazy (in the best way) time, working with an incredible team! I began as the RZSS Interpretation Manager and just as the pandemic hit I became RZSS Head of Discovery and Learning and have had the privilege of leading the team and working as part of the steering group for RZSS though a time of challenge and change.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Lizzie Seymour - Learning Technology Officer, RZSS

Lizzie’s background is in design and media, and she has more than 10 years’ experience working in creative technologies across various industries from web development, graphic design and marketing to education.

Since moving to Edinburgh in 2017 to become the first dedicated Learning Technologist established in a zoo environment, Lizzie has worked hard to demonstrate the benefits of embedding technology in conservation education. In 2019, Lizzie was named ALT Learning Technologist of the Year, an international award in recognition of her unique work using technology to build greater connections between zoo visitors and communities, with animals, conservation and the environment.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Richard Bourton - Tilgate Nature Centre

Richard Bourton, Alex Hughes and Holly Michael are the education team at Tilgate Nature Centre, a small zoo in West Sussex. The Nature Centre started in the 60s as a small area for wild fowl conservation and has since developed into first a farm, and now a zoo. Holly Michael has worked at Tilgate for 7 years and Richard and Alex have worked there since 2018. At Tilgate, the education department are responsible for formal education, written and live interpretation, animal experiences, events and social media.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Ella De Feo-Mayers - Hanwell Zoo's Direction Board

Nathan Cowling - Hanwell Zoo's Direction Board

Sumaya Raihan - Hanwell Zoo's Direction Board

Ella, Nathan and Sumaya have all been members of Hanwell Zoo's Direction Board since its inception in 2019. As founding members, they have developed it into a key tool for Hanwell Zoo to use in connecting with the youth. From creating wildlife spaces, to educating the public about the illegal wildlife trade, Hanwell Zoo's Direction Board continues to grow it's voice for conservation education.

As Chair of the Board, Nathan leads meetings, liaising with Hanwell Zoo to ensure the Board keeps it's interests at heart and exchanges resources and information.

Ella is a vital Board member, particularly skilled in public engagement. While studying Zoology with Conservation they work to ensure the education of the public on global conservation matters.

As former Co-Chair, treasurer and secretary, Sumaya supports the board's work while studying Zoology and Animal Behaviour, working on spreading the Board's message on a regional and international scale.

Supporting Resources

• @hanwellzoodirectionboard Instagram
• Contact the Youth Board
• Discussion Forum

Meet the Presenter

Nicola Watson - Knowsley Safari

Ben Pool - Knowsley Safari

Ben began his Knowsley journey as a Presenter in 2018 after his internship with the Learning & Discovery department, his bouncy energy meant he was a natural when it came to engaging with children of all ages at the Safari.

Nicola started working at Knowsley in 2017 as a Presenter, through working with the children and families at the park she discovered her passion for connecting children to nature in novel and interesting ways.

Nicola & Ben became part of Knowsley Safari’s Discovery Team in 2019, aimed at providing programs for a variety of groups that pushed the boundaries Zoo Education. This was relatively new within Learning & Discovery but they both thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of designing and delivering new programs for new audiences.

Both Nicola and Ben now work as part of the Schools Team, designing and delivering programs to school groups both within the Safari and beyond.

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum