Share
The Adventure Podcast
Explore 007: Ethical Fieldwork
Episode seven of our specialist series, Explore: How To Plan An Expedition, focuses on Ethical Fieldwork. In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr Alasdair Harris about getting started in field research and expeditions, the moral dilemma around travelling for fieldwork, and the critical need to forge meaningful partnerships with host communities and countries. Al also speaks passionately and thoughtfully about the impacts of environmental conservation on communities who depend on nature.
Alasdair is a marine conservationist working at the interface of ocean protection and social justice. His organisation Blue Ventures grew out of his first RGS-funded expeditions in 2001, and focuses on developing locally led approaches to marine conservation that benefit people and nature. Blue Ventures is now helping many hundreds of thousands of people address overfishing and safeguard ocean life in fourteen countries across southeast Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean. Alasdair holds a PhD in marine ecology and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Edinburgh. He has spent more than two decades working with coastal communities to rebuild small-scale fisheries across the tropical Indo-Pacific.
You can find out more about the Royal Geographical Society and access advice and support for field research and scientific expeditions by visiting www.rgs.org/in-the-field or follow them on @rgs_ibg on socials.
More episodes
View all episodes
189. Episode 189: Charlotte Young, Ocean Magpie
01:20:18||Ep. 189Episode 189 of The Adventure Podcast features marine scientist, sailor, communicator, and freediver, Charlotte Young. Charlotte is now living aboard and travelling the world on a boat she renovated with her partner. In this episode, Charlotte describes her transition to living a life of adventure - moving onto a sailboat and restoring a 40-foot catamaran to use as her "adventure vessel." She talks about the lessons learned from living at sea, and her project "Voyage to the World". Charlotte also reflects on the challenges and rewards of using social media to amplify these stories, emphasizing the need to drive tangible action rather than just producing content. It's a fascinating, inspiring and fiercely passionate conversation, with plenty of stories of adventure and exploration too.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @theadventurepodcast.188. Episode 188: Jason Fox, It's Easy To Be Tough
01:13:30||Ep. 188Episode 187 of The Adventure Podcast features ex-Special Forces operator, Jason Fox (aka. Foxy). Foxy is known for his work on TV shows like 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' and 'Inside The Real Narcos'. In this episode, Matt tries to cover new ground with him. The result is not a rip-roaring tale of misadventure, instead it's the honest life story of a man who's achieved a huge amount, but also made mistakes along the way. Foxy talks about his time in the military, being medically discharged, and his personal life and challenges throughout this time. He discusses getting into TV presenting and how this was received by his military colleagues, and what life looks like now. It is an open, honest, and vulnerable conversation which goes deep into the 'tough man' we see on screen.This episode is available in-vision on our substack channel, The Adventure Podcast+ ; www.theadventurepodcast.substack.com. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @theadventurepodcast.187. Episode 187: Guy Grieve, All The Wealth In The World
01:22:23||Ep. 187Episode 187 of The Adventure Podcast features scallop diver, seaweed farmer, author, writer, and father, Guy Grieve. Guy spent a year off-grid living in a cabin he built in the Alaskan wilderness. In this episode, Guy talks to Matt about his past and what made him the man he is now. He tells stories of his time in the Alaskan wilderness, why he left his family behind in the UK, and what happened while out there. It's an emotional episode, and Guy is one of the most gracious, genuine, and grounded guests we've ever had on. Fair to say it's one of our favourite episodes ever recorded.This episode is available in-vision on our substack channel, The Adventure Podcast+ ; www.theadventurepodcast.substack.com.This episode is brought to you by Chimney Fire Coffee; a Certified B Corp™️, committed to the highest social and environmental standards. What sets Chimney Fire Coffee apart is their dedication to ethical sourcing. They pay their producers on average double Fairtrade prices, building direct, personal relationships. Plus, they give back by supporting Re-Cycle, donating to refurbish and send bikes to rural Africa.They have 10 responsibly sourced house coffees from around the world, so there's definitely something to suit your taste and your brew method. And if you’re extra keen you can head out to Surrey to join their weekend tours and experiences to learn more about the journey from farm to cup. Head to chimneyfirecoffee.com/tap and 15% off your first order will be automatically applied. Photographer credit: Glenn Dearing2. The Far Reaches: Emma Linford, Wild Service
01:21:59||Ep. 2In the second episode of our new series The Far Reaches, our guest is Emma Linford. Emma is an outdoor professional with a number of different strings to her bow. She’s a mountain instructor, international mountain leader, outdoor education and is heavily involved in the Right To Roam movement in the UK, as well as the Stars Are For Everyone movement that is campaigning to defend the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. This conversation is far reaching. Matt talks to Emma about her early life and inspirations, how she became an outdoor facilitator and why she started travelling overseas. She also speaks about her social and political views and their relevance to the outdoors, before discussing the right to roam movement in a little more detail.The Far Reaches is a new long-term series where we speak to guests about subjects related to our planet and our place on it. These episodes will dig a little deeper, perhaps enter the realm of armchair philosophy, and will tackle some more existential questions surrounding adventure and exploration.This episode is brought to you by Chimney Fire Coffee; a Certified B Corp™️, committed to the highest social and environmental standards. What sets Chimney Fire Coffee apart is their dedication to ethical sourcing. They pay their producers on average double Fairtrade prices, building direct, personal relationships. Plus, they give back by supporting Re-Cycle, donating to refurbish and send bikes to rural Africa. They have 10 responsibly sourced house coffees from around the world, so there's definitely something to suit your taste and your brew method. And if you’re extra keen you can head out to Surrey to join their weekend tours and experiences to learn more about the journey from farm to cup. Head to chimneyfirecoffee.com/tap and 15% off your first order will be automatically applied.186. Episode 186: Victoria Monk, There She Rows
01:04:16||Ep. 186Episode 186 of The Adventure Podcast features rower and sports advocate, Victoria Monk. Victoria is Captain and one quarter of 'There She Rows', an all-female team who recently rowed across the Atlantic. In this episode, Matt and Victoria discuss the crossing in detail, including her motivation and inspiration, as well as why she picked this specific challenge given her limited experience of big adventures and expeditions. They go into the realities of life on the water, and also get into the nitty gritty of picking a team and training. They also touch on a subject Victoria is incredibly passionate about - why so many teenage girls give up sport - why Victoria thinks this may be happening, and what we can do about it.This episode is brought to you by Chimney Fire Coffee; a Certified B Corp™️, committed to the highest social and environmental standards. What sets Chimney Fire Coffee apart is their dedication to ethical sourcing. They pay their producers on average double Fairtrade prices, building direct, personal relationships. Plus, they give back by supporting Re-Cycle, donating to refurbish and send bikes to rural Africa.They have 10 responsibly sourced house coffees from around the world, so there's definitely something to suit your taste and your brew method. And if you’re extra keen you can head out to Surrey to join their weekend tours and experiences to learn more about the journey from farm to cup. Head to chimneyfirecoffee.com/tap and 15% off your first order will be automatically applied.185. Episode 185: Lyanda Haupt, Someone Of Service
01:08:22||Ep. 185Episode 185 of The Adventure Podcast features award-winning author, naturalist, and eco-philosopher, Lyanda Haupt. Lyanda's work bridges the gap between scientific observation and poetic exploration. In this episode, Matt and Lyanda discuss her journey in a lot of detail. They talk about her unique perspective on urban ecology, and the profound lessons she draws from her close encounters with animals. They spend some time talking about her early inspirations and travels around the world, before speaking about the much more personal details of her life, including the end of her marriage. Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a casual nature lover, or simply curious about the hidden wonders in your own backyard, Lyanda is fascinating.This episode is brought to you by Chimney Fire Coffee; a Certified B Corp™️, committed to the highest social and environmental standards. What sets Chimney Fire Coffee apart is their dedication to ethical sourcing. They pay their producers on average double Fairtrade prices, building direct, personal relationships. Plus, they give back by supporting Re-Cycle, donating to refurbish and send bikes to rural Africa.They have 10 responsibly sourced house coffees from around the world, so there's definitely something to suit your taste and your brew method. And if you’re extra keen you can head out to Surrey to join their weekend tours and experiences to learn more about the journey from farm to cup. Head to chimneyfirecoffee.com/tap and 15% off your first order will be automatically applied. Photo credit: Tom Furtwangler184. Episode 184: Sunniva Sorby, Minor To Major
01:31:53||Ep. 184Episode 184 of The Adventure Podcast features expedition leader, citizen scientist, and polar expert, Sunniva Sorby. Sunniva was part of the first all-female team to reach the South Pole, and has worked in Antarctica over 100 times. She recently spent 19 months living in a cabin in Svalbard. In large parts, this is a conversation about Sunniva’s life; where she comes from, where she went, how these expeditions came about and ultimately what motivated her. But Matt and Sunniva also discuss the deeper meaning of what it is she does - the purpose, the intention, and how these have changed over the decades she’s worked in the polar world.183. Episode 183: Matt Pavitt, Maybe Masochistic
01:01:57||Ep. 183Episode 183 of The Adventure Podcast features alpinist, skier, outdoor instructor, and climber, Matt Pavitt. Matt recently broke the fastest known time record for the winter Cuillin Ridge traverse. The ridge is a coveted prize and the previous record was impressive, so to see Matt break it was somewhat of a shock. In this episode, they discuss Matt's early life and what led him to move to Scotland rather than Chamonix or Canada. He talks about his career progression, and what it is that makes Scottish winter climbing so hard but so special, before detailing his Cuillin Ridge winter traverse - what happened on the route, regrets, and how the community responded to his record.182. Episode 182: John Porter, A Path Of Shadows
01:13:12||Ep. 182Episode 182 of The Adventure Podcast features mountaineer, writer, historian and poet, John Porter. John is arguably one of the most accomplished but understated mountaineers of his generation. He made pioneering ascents of the North Face of Bandaka and the South Buttress of Changabang. Neither route has been repeated. In this episode, John talks to Matt about his early life and how he managed to avoid the Vietnam war draft, how he landed on his feet as part of blossoming British climbing scene and ultimately went on to climb with some of the very best mountaineers in the world on a string of world class expeditions. They touch on John’s approach to ethics, his views on modern mountaineering and expeditions, and what he’s doing with his days now that he’s, by his own admission, slowing down.