My passion for exploring the relationships between people and plants – an interest encompassed by the disciplines
of ethnobotany and economic botany (see Society for Ethnobotany) began with my postgraduate research into the
importance of manioc (Manihot esculenta) to Matsigenka communities of the Peruvian Amazon following my
study of Amerindian languages and culture at St Andrews University, Scotland.
then extended to cover:
  • medicinal plants of the cloud forest of the Rio Mazán Valley, Ecuador (Rio Mazán Project)
  • plants used by rubber tapper communities in Acre, Brazilian Amazon (chiefly rubber Hevea brasiliensis) and palms (Arecaceae)
  • monkey puzzle trees (Aruacaria araucana) amongst Pehuenche communities in Chile
  • globally useful plants and plant products from woodpulp and palm oil to frankincense and myrrh (for "Plants For People" and subsequent books and research projects)
  • medicinal plants in Europe – research for and writing of ‘Medicinal plants and plant extracts: a review of their importation into Europe’ (TRAFFIC, 1993)
  • rushes (Schoenoplectus lacustris)
  • spices - for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s ‘Full of Spice’ festival
  • ancient trees – 24 species around the world that live for at least a thousand years
  • British trees - reasearch for the Woodland Trust
  • fig trees in India : Ficus religiosa (Bodhi tree) & F. benghalensis (world’s largest fig) for the BBC
  • birch trees (Betula spp.) in the northern hemisphere
and has most recently been focussing on:
  • food plant festivals (In Praise of Plants) - a project to record the celebration of food plants around the world
  • walnuts (Juglans regia)
As a Consultant I’ve worked with:
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • WWF – UK (Latin American advisor)
  • WWF International
  • The Woodland Trust
  • Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne
  • Butterfly World
  • Chelsea Physic Garden
  • Friends of the Earth
  • ODA (on Combu Island)
TV & Radio
    I appeared on TV In 2000 in 'Rough Science' (presenter Kate Humble) BBC2 TV (Series 1, programmes 1-4) as
    ethnobotanist and have been interviewed on Radio 4's ‘Womans Hour’, The Natural History Programme and Radio 5,
    and presented for the World Service ("Heart & Soul")
Public Speaking
    I've given many public lectures, talks and interviews on my research and publications including "Plants For People",
    "Ancient trees", "Birch" and RushWorks
RushWorks
    In 2006 I set up RushWorks to revive the crafts of rush cutting and rush work as traditionally practised in north Dorset.
    We cut rushes locally, every year.
EDUCATION
    MPhil, University of St Andrews, 1985
    Department of Spanish: Sociolinguistics & Anthropology, Amerindian languages & Culture
    The implications of manioc cultivation in the culture and mythology of the Machiguenga of South Eastern Peru
    BA, University of Birmingham 1975 - 1979
    (Combined Honours) English & Spanish 2:1 (1977-78 University of Cusco, Peru)
    Reigate College of Art and Design 1973-1974
    (Foundation year)