I am the evidence manager for the investigation and evidence team at World Animal Protection. I am an investigative professional with extensive experience in investigating the international wildlife trade and have dedicated my career to working within the animal welfare NGO sector. Having qualified with a Masters in Primate Conservation, I spent my early career investigating the international primate trade. Now, my investigative work extends to gathering intelligence on some of the most pressing issues affecting animal welfare, including trade, animals in captivity and farm animal welfare. My investigative projects have contributed to new and improved legislation, governance, and enforcement, that protects wildlife and animals worldwide.

Hello! I'm Katie and I'm a WildLearning Specialist with WildTeam. I help to deliver a number of workshops with WildTeam, including the Project Management for Wildlife Conservation course. I love meeting course participants from all over the world, and learning about the amazing projects that they are working on or would like to in the future.  I am also working as a postdoctoral researcher at Bournemouth University, as a continuation of my PhD project which focussed on African elephant conservation. I've been lucky enough to travel to lots of places for my work and engage with a range of stakeholders. I also love science communication which has lead me to meet and work with lots of amazing people through public engagement, outreach events and social media.   Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-thompson-8664128b/ and Instagram: @drkatet

Wildlife biologist 🐘 Mentor 👩‍🎓 Your Biggest Career Cheerleader 📣 Communicator 👥 | Showing animal lovers how to get their dream job✨ | Connecting people with nature for conservation 🌿 and community 🏙️

I'm Liane, and I am a WildLearning Specialist at WildTeam! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all! For the last few years, I've been working in Seychelles, focusing on island and marine conservation efforts, particularly coral restoration and turtle nesting monitoring. If you ask me questions about coral, be prepared for me to get very nerdy about it! Prior to that, I was managing a project in Northern Thailand, where I worked closely with a local community to set up ethical elephant experiences in their village. In my free time, I love running and hiking, and being anywhere in nature. I have also learnt to freedive in the last few years and enjoy doing that when possible. I'm really interested in talking to different people and learning from them and their unique experiences.

My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity exchange. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I co-founded WildHub, a community of nature conservation professionals, in 2020 and work as their Community Lead. I am furthermore on the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022. 

An explorer and an aspirant biodiversity conservation researcher. I seek to delve deeper into the study of the human-nature nexus and strive to foster more harmonious coexistence. I have gained brief experience in wildlife conservation at the Creative Conservation Alliance, working with Western Hoolock Gibbons and a few other wild animals. I am also working as an Associate Trainer at Mekateam, a game-based pedagogy where I provide training on basic climate literacy and biodiversity conservation to youth. Moreover, I synthesize and express my understanding of biodiversity and the natural world through my initiative, 'Toru.' Currently, I am undertaking research on Asian Elephants addressing the human-elephant conflict in Bangladesh.

I am a recent graduate from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, with a passion for conservation and a diverse set of skills honed through hands-on experience.  During my attachment program at Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and my volunteer work with Reefolution Trust, I have gained invaluable expertise in:  Coral Restoration: Engaging in coral planting, nursery maintenance, and out-planting to rejuvenate marine ecosystems. Marine Debris Cleanups: Organizing and participating in cleanups to protect our oceans. Community Engagement: Facilitating group discussions and outreach programs to foster local involvement in conservation efforts. Data Collection and Entry: Gathering and managing data crucial for research and conservation projects. Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution: Developing strategies to mitigate conflicts between humans and wildlife.  My interests are deeply rooted in:  Wildlife Protection: Advocating for and implementing measures to safeguard endangered species. Environmental Education: Sharing knowledge and raising awareness through my Twitter (X) page. Habitat Restoration: Participating in projects aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems. Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities to develop sustainable conservation strategies. Policy and Advocacy: Working on policies to support and enhance conservation efforts.  While I currently possess a broad range of skills, I am eager to specialize further and make a significant impact in the conservation community. Being part of the Wild Hub would provide me with the perfect opportunity to refine my expertise and contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts.  

I have always believed that kindness should extend to every living being. My love for animals and nature is not just a passion. It is a part of who I am. I care deeply about Animal Rights, Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation, and I do whatever I can to make this world a gentler and safer place for them. Whether it is raising awareness or supporting meaningful causes, I try to play my part with heart and purpose. Professionally, I have grown as an Executive Assistant and Administrative Specialist with hands-on experience across different sectors and cultures. Over the years, I have worked closely with senior leadership teams in Technology, Business, and Higher Education, always striving to be dependable, professional, and calm under pressure. I have earned an Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance from BMTG UK Ltd which reflects my dedication to this profession. I have also completed several training programs focused on workplace excellence and strong organizational skills. These skills help me adapt to change and keep things running smoothly in today’s fast-paced world. My work often involves managing international travel, planning both virtual and on-site events, and handling communication, immigration, and hospitality tasks. I approach each of these with care and a personal touch. I also write professionally, preparing internal communications and business correspondence with clarity and precision. This has helped me build a reputation for being trustworthy, effective, and committed to high standards. What truly keeps me going is my willingness to learn and grow. I believe that every day is an opportunity to do better, not just at work, but in how we treat others, especially those who do not have a voice. This journey of compassion, hard work, and lifelong learning is what I carry forward, wherever I go and whatever I do.