BRYONY COTTAM

JOURNALIST

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Hi

I'm a journalist specialising in science and global challenges, with a focus on the human stories at the centre of these issues.

I've been a staff writer at Geographical since 2021, where I'm editor of the Worldwatch section of the magazine and the voice behind the Geographical Week newsletter.

Based on England’s southeast coast, I balance remote and on-the-ground reporting to track evolving stories in Earth sciences, climate resilience, the biodiversity crisis, and global health. Previous stories have taken me to Finland to test new eDNA monitoring technology, and to the Caribbean to report on geothermal energy development. My current focus lies in our changing oceans and compounding natural hazards – from wildfires to volcanoes to tropical storms.

Beyond my reporting, I served as a judge for the Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism (awarded by the American Geophysical Union) from 2024 to 2026, and as committee chair in 2026. I am also a member of the Association of British Science Writers.

Away from my main beats, I often write about the places I've travelled.