For our September episode, we were beyond thrilled to have Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza as our podcast guest. Rosa is a Peruvian chemical, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning artist whose work bridges indigenous knowledge and modern science to protect the Amazon rainforest and its communities Rosa was awarded Peru’s Order of Merit (2025)—the country’s highest state recognition for environmental protection. She has also been named one of the BBC’s 100 Women (2024), received the American Chemical Society CAS Leadership Award, and was recognized as one of "50 People Changing the World" and a recipient of the “New Explorer Award” (The Explorers Club).

In this chat we learnt about Rosa's journey in becoming a chemical biologist, from discovering her passion for the environment, to becoming a global advocate for our natural world. Much of Rosa's work now focuses on bridging indigenous knowledge and modern science, and we delved deeply into this topic, and were left with advice the changes that need to be made at all levels of conservation to bring indigenous people into conservation conversations and action. We also heard about Rosa's incredible research organisation "Amazon Research Internacional”, and the important work that it covers. Finally, we hear about Rosa's impressive book, "The Spirit of the Rainforest". We were only really able to scratch the surface of Rosa and her exceptional career in this episode, so I don't think this will be the last you will be seeing of her on the WIW podcast!

You can follow Rosa on instagram: @rosavespinoza

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

For our August episode we were joined by environmental psychology scientist Dr Brianna Le Busque. Bri is the program director of environmental sciences at The University of South Australia, along with being science and technology Australia Superstar of STEM. Her research focuses on biophilia (connections to nature) and biophobia (fear/dislike of nature), especially in the marine context. Her main area of research is understanding fear of sharks- including children’s fear, the media representations of sharks and tourism experiences of sharks. Bri is also involved in work exploring health benefits of nature connection for students, whale tourism experiences, impacts of the algal bloom in South Australia. We heard all about Bri's research in biophilia/biophobia, where human's fear of sharks tend to stem from, and how this in turn affects marine conservation. We learnt about Bri's pathway into getting into environmental psychology, and heard about Bri's passion for advocating that you don't need to wear a white lab coat to work in STEM. Bri also spoke about the algal bloom crisis in her home state of South Australia, and the effects it is having on both the ocean, but also the community. Maddy and Eliza were absolutely enthralled in this chat- we hope you love it as much as we did!

You can follow Bri on instagram @drbriannalebusque_

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

We were thrilled to have Ranger Louie on for our July podcast episode, in celebration of world ranger day (July 31st) and all the incredible women rangers on the front line of conservation! Louie is an absolute firecracker- currently working as a ranger in Western Australia, and bringing us on her adventures through her Youtube and Instagram channels. From starting studying paramedicine, to firefighting in her role as a ranger, we heard all about Louie's journey in getting to where she is today. We gained insight into the extremely diverse role that is being a ranger, and what a typical (well, as learn there is no such thing) day as a ranger entails. Louie talks us through what it is like being a woman in the ranger field, which is still largely dominated by men, and how she aims to bring light to this important role and inspire future Ranger Louie's through her Youtube channel.

You can find Louie on Instagram @ranger_louie and on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ranger_louie

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX