Goodfest Gillian Burke

“Whether from the natural world or the human world, I am drawn to universal themes of awe and wonder, defeat and victory, struggle and survival. As a scientist, I am committed to tracking down and sharing evidence of hope. It’s why I remain a defiant optimist (on most days).” – Gillian Burke

Biologist, writer and podcaster, Gillian lives in Cornwall where she hosts her system change podcast, If I Ruled the World released bi-weekly on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

Gillian also appears on the BBC’s much-loved Springwatch & Winterwatch series alongside Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams & Megan McCubbin.

Having earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Bristol University, Gillian pursued a career in natural history filmmaking, working her way up the ranks from Researcher to Producer/Director on several Animal Planet and Discovery Channel series.

Outside of her television work, Gillian is the Vice President of the Wildlife Trusts and applies her biology and media experience to work closely as patron, ambassador, or supporter of several organisations including Cool Earth, Surfer’s Against Sewage, Buglife, Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, Wild Otter Trust UK, the Mount Kenya Trust, and Georgia’s Voice.