Governance, Safeguarding & Inclusion Committee

Chair - Dr Geeta Ludhra

geeta-ludhra.jpg

Dr Geeta Ludhra is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Associate Dean for Equity at Brunel University. She has a strong background in school leadership and equity-social justice roles across schools and community projects.

Alongside her academic role, Geeta leads a non-profit, registered social enterprise called Dadima’s CIC, set up to encourage people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (those groups who are statistically under-represented in UK natural landscapes) to engage in and enjoy the benefits of National Parks, National Landscapes, the Chilterns countryside. She also works with rural museums on community-led initiatives to create events and collections that are more inclusive. Dadima’s CIC is a family-run walking group that has a programme of monthly nature-themed events and promotes intergenerational connections through walking and talking, biodiversity research discussions, sharing heritage stories and celebrating diverse forms of nature knowledge.

Geeta’s interest in grass-roots activist work is inspired by her interest in making a difference through community-led projects that connect people from diverse backgrounds in creative ways. Geeta has a keen interest in mental health and well-being across the generations, and exploring ways in which nature connectedness can support this.

Emma Dresser

e_dresser.jpg

Emma is an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Loughborough University where she plays a central role in work to drive forward the university’s activity to identify and dismantle discriminatory practices.

This role also includes working to create an inclusive, fair and respectful culture in which all staff and students feel valued, are able to voice differing perspectives and realise their full potential.

She has possessed a strong interest and appreciation for birds and wildlife from a young age and relishes the opportunity to work with BTO to address the barriers to equity and diversity and support their ambitions in creating an inclusive environment.

She hopes to bring her professional experience and personal passion to expand access to the work of BTO to broader audiences, thereby providing access to the benefit of engaging with nature to individuals from all backgrounds. 

Emma Thornton

Emma, YAP

Emma is a student in her third year studying Biology at the University of Oxford. In her gap year she became involved with BTO as a novice birder.

She has grown in confidence through BTO training courses and participating in Garden BirdWatch. She has been part of BTO’s Youth Advisory Panel since its formation at the start of 2020 and became inspired to set up and lead a new society at university – Oxford Ornithological Student Society.

She enjoys engaging in the avian parts of her course, in particular spotting BTO data in lectures and referencing it in her own work. She recently enjoyed an Avian Behaviour and Ecology field course to Copeland Bird Observatory.

Emma is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to connect with nature and science, particularly around improving mental health. She is excited to bring a young person’s perspective to the Committee.