Sergio’s expedition was the first comprehensive scientific exploration of the Sinchimarka forest, an exceptionally well-preserved and remote high-altitude Andean Forest.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

Reza's expedition explored the centre of the Bird’s Head New Guinea pristine forest, the western slope of Mts. South Tamrau Nature Reserve, an area that botanists or naturalists have never investigated. Reza photographed orchids and their habitat and preserved material for herbarium samples to write species descriptions and illustrations for his ‘Orchids of Bird's Head Peninsula’ book project.

Suported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

Dewi’s expedition was in Teluk Sumbang, Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, a remote and barely accessible area reported as a new habitat for Rafflesia. The team worked closely with local communities to enable knowledge-sharing initiatives. The expedition objectives were to confirm the Rafflesia species, investigate the population and ecological habitat, ethnobotany, and social data of the surrounding people, collect samples and specimens for further study, and conduct ex-situ conservation research on this species in Purwodadi Botanic Garden.

Supported by and in memory of Judith Heath.

Nat's expedition involved working with the Kayapo Indigenous communities of the Xingu River. Kayapo communities have defended their 10.5 million hectares of pristine Amazon rainforest from rampant deforestation for generations.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

Sarah’s expedition filled baseline knowledge gaps on population sizes and distribution of Cambodia’s endangered and heavily threatened cetacean species. During this 10-week expedition, local research assistants were  trained, and boat surveys conducted throughout the full coastline. Ultimately, findings will be used by resource managers to help shape effective management strategies.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, Coleridge Family, David Prichard, and SES Trustees.

Amber’s expedition worked with traditional Vezo fishing communities in remote coastal villages in Madagascar. For over half a century, the largely undocumented destruction of Madagascar’s marine ecosystem has threatened the livelihoods of Vezo fishers.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

Emi’s expedition was a collaboration between marine scientists, small-scale fishers, community elders, and young learners in fishing villages, to document Ông Nam Hải, mysterious, adorned, and often at times collapsing temples along Vietnam’s coastline. Many “whale temples” were destroyed during the American (Vietnam) War. They registered the remaining temples through community-based participatory research approaches to enable the conservation of these spiritual ecological sites and Vietnam’s imperiled marine mammals.

Supported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

Wendy’s expedition was a ‘first’ and explored and documented the heather plant family on Mount Kemiri, (the third highest summit in Sumatra), and its adjacent summits. It is an area with the most extensive subalpine vegetation in Sumatra, yet knowledge of the species and genetic diversity from this area is poorly known. Wendy’s objective was to find undocumented species new to science, and gather important data for the future conservation of this mountainous plant group.

Supported by and in memory of Judith Heath.

Ettore’s expedition explored Kerguelen, a wild and sub-Antarctic land. Despite being among the most remote places on earth, the Kerguelen islands suffer the impact of distant human actions. Ettore joined a scientific expedition to these islands and filmed a documentary about anthropogenic impacts, such as invasive species, plastic pollution, and climate change.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

James’s expedition aimed to be the first scientific expedition to ascend the northern slopes of the Cyclops Mountains in Indonesian New Guinea. The expedition team collected biological and geological samples from the mountains snd successfully rediscovered lost species, most notably, the enigmatic Attenborough's Long-beaked Echidna,

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, Coleridge Family, David Pritchard, and SES Trustees.

Jody’s expedition will work with local and indigenous peoples in West Papua to investigate evidence of the continued presence of the 'lost species', the Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus Mayri). Its presence could change the fate of this vulnerable region forever.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

Charlie’s expedition was a 900-mile, self-supported winter trek along the frozen Lena River in Siberia. Skiing from Yakutsk to the Arctic coast at 72 degrees North, Charlie investigated the accelerating effects of climate change in northern Yakutia.

Supported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

David’s expedition was a collaboration between Rwandan and UK doctors, to set up the first-ever resuscitation registry of cardiac arrests in Rwanda. This data is essential in understanding the causes of cardiac disease specific to Rwanda, and the first step in improving training, the recognition of deteriorating patients, protocols, and patient management, using evidence-based medicine.

Supported by Lord Gough.

Juniper’s expedition documented sweet potato landraces along Mt Wilhelm, one of the highest mountains in Oceania. Sweet potatoes are the staple crop in Papua New Guinea but little is known about their genetic and morphological diversity or how remote tribes source them.

Supported by and in memory of Judith Heath.

Beki's expedition followed explorer Mary Kingsley’s route through Gabon to look at the human cost of conservation in the Congo Basin. The 1000km journey was undertaken by sea kayak, pirogue and on foot through thick jungle along the routing Mary took in her 1899 expedition to demystify Africa.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

Bethan’s expedition was an all-female collaboration between media-makers in the UK and indigenous leaders battling environmental destruction in the face of deep-rooted sexism and systematic discrimination. It researched, documented, and amplified the experiences of pioneering women, using a participatory approach for a lasting legacy.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, Coleridge Family, and SES Trustees.

Alegra's expedition objective was to undertake research for the first chapter in 'A Journey to the Origins of Midwifery,' an ethnographic atlas book exploring the origins and practices of traditional midwifery knowledge from specific geographical and bio-cultural locations around the world. This expedition focused on five Indigenous midwives from four different communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in Colombia. 

Supported by Lord Gough.

Amy's expedition collaborated with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to train local talents into conservation filmmakers, who will be offered job opportunities to produce stunning films to grow eco-tourism. Amy also documented the positive change happening at the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, an area that has grown from 1% forest coverage to a layer of deep green.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

The purpose of Craig's expedition was to improve access to healthcare for locals, pilgrims, and alpinists residing, traveling, and climbing in the Garhwal Himalayas by training Indian nurses and doctors in mountain medicine and stationing them in remote hospitals in the Garhwal range.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

Iris will lead three course-mates to study the viability of lion and leopard populations in north-western Guinea. Until recently, lions were considered extinct in Guinea, but camera trap footage has shown otherwise. 

They will assess whether Moyen-Bafing National Park is home to a viable lion population and/or has potential to be in the future and whether big-cat wildlife corridors to Senegal exist.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, Egerton Sykes, Pam Coleridge and the Trustees of SES.

Ram headed to Arunachal Pradesh to team up with local filmmakers to begin a challenging and ambitious expedition into a biologically and culturally diverse land that traverses two biodiversity hotspots in search of stories with the aim of assisting conservation efforts. 

The resulting expedition film will follow the team as they create a database of innovative VR experiences that tell undocumented stories of Arunachal’s rich biodiversity and indigenous narratives, in the hope of inspiring conservation action from people responsible for the protection of this region.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

Catherine's expedition to Timor-Leste focused on Tara Bandu as a means of marine conservation, and coral reef health, at four established sites near the capital city of Dili, the geographic focus area. The objectives were to investigate Tara Bandu as a mechanism for marine conservation,  outreach to communities and students with 360-degree underwater imagery, and assess coral health at four
established sites.

Supported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

Scott's expedition led team-mates Stephanie Wong, Dr Edward Rogers, and Dr Kim Findlay-Cooper to assist counter-poaching efforts in Zambia. 

The project saw the delivery of the first of many bespoke combat medical response train-the-trainer courses for wildlife rangers facing an increasingly dangerous task, alongside improvement in local community medical capability through the implementation of rapid diagnostics.

Supported by Lord Gough.

Reza's expedition started in Dakar, Senegal and in Berbera, Somaliland. The impact of climate change and the ensuing desertification across eight countries across the Sahelian belt were documented. These countries are on the front line for climate change and temperatures are rising more than anywhere else on this Earth. 

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

Charlotte's expedition took place in the South Toledo district of Belize in Central America. The expedition objective was to preserve the Qʼeqchiʼ and Mopan Maya language by creating reading books in Maya, and provide the school with educational resources; explore caves for evidence of ancient Maya habitation; educate the wider community of Augacate about their heritage and ancestors and educate the community about the importance of oral hygiene.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

Glaucia led a crew of eight women in an expedition to a remote area in the Amazon Forest to pay tribute to the explorer, Emilie Snethlage – the first woman to lead a scientific institution in South America. The expedition centered on one of the least explored areas of the Amazon Forest, the Juruá river; the only river not explored by Snethlage. Glaucia sought to honour Snethlage’s achievements by giving her Brazilian team of young women the opportunity to unravel the secrets of the Amazon Forest.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

Eleanor led the Exploration Sira team to the mountainous rugged terrain of El Sira Communal Reserve in Peru. The expedition aimed to ‘unveil indigenous stories and recover forgotten species’; furthering the limited knowledge of the hyper-diverse mammal community, the critically endangered Sira Curassow, the endangered climbing toad (Rhinella Nesiotes) and with the hope to rediscover the lost Sira Harlequin frog (not seen since 1970). This expedition revealed untold stories of the people living in and around the Sira and used photography to highlight their lives and cultures.

Supported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

Merlin and fellow student Alex McMaster, embarked on a 10,000km journey through Africa on a tandem bike to bring ‘Arclight’, a revolutionary diagnostic device, into the hands of medical students and healthcare workers. The device has been described as a “game-changer” in the prevention of blindness and they hope to provide the next generation of doctors with the tools needed to help combat eye and ear disease.

Supported by Lord Gough.

Eilidh and teammates, Jenni and Bethan, set off on an ambitious filming expedition to create a documentary about a road being illegally built through the rainforest. By interviewing local communities and stakeholders and using drones to reveal the road’s scale and status, the film furthered our understanding of the threats and opportunities facing Manu and the potential consequences on its natural and cultural heritage.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

Liv's expedition studied the last remaining populations of two endangered bird species. A critical aspect of this expedition was collaboration with local people to develop a long-term conservation plan. Liv also worked with the islanders to learn about how their indigenous knowledge of nature is expressed in their language and art, and about the value of cultural engagement with wildlife to successful conservation.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

Eleanor teamed up with drone pilot and filmmaker Chris Guggiari-Peel and ecologist Laura Kor to investigate the elusive titan beetle. Although little is known about this species, it is highly valued by collectors, and it is thought that this may advantage communities through ecotourism. The team collected data on this and the ecology of these insects, to raise awareness about the benefits and risks of invertebrate ecotourism.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, Egerton Sykes,  and the Trustees of SES.

Insight into the traditional and established protection practices of the intensely private communities, to process into longer term government marine protection plans. He also sought to improve and enhance relationships between these communities and the diving and tourist organisations within the region.

Supported by Cadogan Tate.

Measurements were taken from the Roslin Glacier which can be compared to estimates from satellite data, and against similar historic measurements taken in the 1970s. The unsupported team navigated the glacier system, often via unexplored valleys and unclimbed peaks to complete this valuable climate change research, and returned inspired by the adventure and keen to process the data to see quantifiable results.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois Bt.

His expedition to the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda saw Alex combine his camera work with technology to carry out a first accurate estimate of numbers of big cats, and establishing a carnivore – farmer risk map to deliver to local authorities. Local students were trained in the techniques, and Alex sought to inspire the youth within Uganda through locally led initiatives.

Supported by family and friends of Elodie Sandford.

Anirban ventured deep into the jungle to observe, document and archive the complex and fascinating honey collecting process as part of capturing the traditional knowledge, culture and social systems for the communities themselves, researchers and policy makers.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

Sought out inspirational Kenyans, who against all odds and in the face of adversity, civil unrest and poverty, have made it their mission to help conserve Kenya’s wildlife. They captured these remarkable stories in a series of short films, which they showed on the bicycle powered cinemas they have constructed to proudly share these critical and inspiring messages across Kenya.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

To reach, climb, and study the biodiversity surrounding this striking feature is the inspiration behind Martin's expedition, where he led a local team of climbers and scientists, all the while documenting their journey and raising awareness and empathy for the forests of Borneo and their plight.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, Egerton Sykes, and the Trustees of SES.

Andrew lead a team of Peruvian biologists and guides to set up 24 camera traps in the Cerros del Sira communal reserve in central Peru. The reserve consists of an isolated chain of foothills, separated from the Andean mountains by lowland tropical forest. Its flora and fauna is both unique and under-threat from local hunting and deforestation. The expedition enabled the team to gather information and aid in the discovery of previously unknown species of amphibians and reptiles.

Supported by Cadogan Tate.

Aida and her team travelled to the remote forest islands of northern Kenya desert, to collect plant, water and climatic data. This key data helped finalise her research project focused on the improved conservation of these fragile ecosystems. The team filmed their incredible journey, so that more people were able to learn about these beautiful ecosystems, and the amazing communities that live there.

Supported by Nevile Shulman CBE.

Stephen's MADEX project was a medical expedition to investigate the disease schistosomiasis in Marolambo. Stephen lead a team of medical students from Manchester, and Antananarivo universities and the Madagascar Ministry of Public Health, to study and record clinical and cultural evidence of the disease, treat the children affected, and initiate an educational programme to assist in managing it.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

Roshan lead a team of biologists and species experts to the Nijgadh region of Nepal, a remote and little studied region through which elephants migrate seasonally. The expedition team travelled 400km along elephant corridors, educating villagers along the way about the seasonal behaviour of the elephants with the aim of reducing human/elephant conflict.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, Egerton Sykes, and the Trustees of SES.

James led an expedition to the mountainous Avatra Dilana Marolambo region of Madagascar to study habitat fragmentation particularly the ‘forest edge’ habitat to assess the minimum fragment size which can support a healthy species, and provide research to assist conservation practitioners manage and prioritise the surviving rainforest in Madagascar.

Supported by Cadogan Tate.

Giulia's expedition took place in the remote and little studied Commander Islands off the Far Eastern coast of Russia. The team carried out marine surveys contributing to the Institute of Marine Biology at the Russian Academy of Sciences research into the state of the ecosystems, and to the ASC Marine Microplastics Project. They researched the impact of human activity in remote areas, thus highlighting the importance of natural heritage of remote locations and the exploration thereof.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE.

John and colleagues from Aberdeen University studied the effects of westernisation on the indigenous Amerindian population. Two study groups were set up, one in urban locations where westernisation had had already impacted, and one in the interior ,where it has not. Physiological health risk factors, local attitudes to health care and body image perceptions in women were assessed.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

Unmesh headed up to the un-explored freshwater ecosystems of the rainforests of the Great Nicobar Archipelago in the Andaman Sea where he generated the first island fish diversity record, and by including indigenous tribal communities, developed stewardship and the future conservation of species found.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, Egerton Sykes, and the Trustees of SES.

Bertie headed to the West Coast of Vancouver Island to track down and film a pack of wild coastal wolves for 3 months during the breeding season. The wolves had never before been followed in such close proximity, or for such a prolonged time. 

Supported by Zenith.

Matthew led an expedition to the Mesomamerican Reef off Belize.  His passion for reef conservation led him to measure bio-diversity by mapping the species diversity across specific areas. The data provided the Marine Protected Area management to better account forthe ecological roles played by coral reef species, thus the environmental social and economic benefit of marine resources.

Supported by Cadogan Tate.

Olivia led the 2014 Cambridge Zanskar Expedition to Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas. The aim of the expedition was to study migration as a response to climate change (specifically acute water shortage) in a small village, living and working with the community to gain unique understanding of their way of life. The team then trekked out of the region via the rarely frequented Tsarab Valley route.

Supported by Cadogan Tate.

Alejandra led a small team to the Shawi tribe of North Eastern Peru, to establish two communal medicinal plant gardens. Wary of western medicines, and where both the knowledge about and existence of plants used in traditional medicines is decreasing, the aim of the expedition was to identify the plants used, document their medicinal properties, and establish gardens providing an ongoing and readily available fresh source of plants for future generations.

Supported by the Rivers Foundation.

In response to increasingly changing climate and rainfall patterns in Nepal, where short lived, intense rainy seasons have become the norm, Jamie worked with a small team based at Kathmandu University to set up measures of surface run-off in 3 different land-use areas. The results were analysed over two monsoon seasons, and used to run river flow models to predict water resource and flood risks.

Supported by the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust.

Ryan led a 2-year study to establish the impact that the Gelada Monkey makes in the Ethiopian Highlands, whether they are a keystone species in the ecosystem, the results were crucial for, and updated conservation assessment of the species, and provided ecological information for development of conservation and restoration strategies in this increasingly degraded region.

Supported by SES Trustees.

Ed led the Haig-Thomas Expedition to the Arctic. Re-tracing the 1942 expedition by David Haig-Thomas, Ed and colleague Alec Greenwell carried out a comparative study of sustainable hunting practices in the Qaanaaq region, contributing to a University of Copenhagen ongoing ecological research project.

Supported by Zenith.

Amy led an expedition to Selin Cuo, a 4,500m plateau in Tibet. Studies included monitoring how the endangered black-necked crane and other wildlife within the region are responding to increasing levels of industrial disturbance to the wetland habitat. 

Supported by SES Trustees.

Rachel led a team to study 5 species of lemur and their habitat in Tampolo Forest, Madagascar and also undertake a sociological study of villagers to assess how they are adapting to increased exploitation of these areas. 

Supported by SES Trustees.

Augusta led a team to Mount Kailash in Tibet, carrying out a study of the role that material culture plays in connecting different cultures, races and religions to build a symbolic community and serve as a peace-making tool. 

Supported by SES Trustees.

David led an expedition to discover how the Afar people of Northern Ethiopia had endured the environmental and economic pressures. The findings showed how farming practices, water availability and cultural practice have adapted to these pressures. 

Supported by SES Trustees.