Services: Host (Awards)

Hermione Cockburn’s expertise, enthusiasm and curiosity make her a natural broadcaster. Recent presenting work includes Coast and Fossil Detectives on BBC Two, and The Hunt for the Gay Whale on BBC Radio 4. 

Hermione hails from Sussex but has lived in Scotland for 20 years. Her Earth Science expertise stems from a PhD in geomorphology at the University of Edinburgh and post-doctoral geological research at the University of Melbourne. She currently teaches environmental science for the Open University.

She has always been involved in communicating science and an interest in television was cemented when she won the BBC Talent Science on Screen competition in 2002 and co-presented the Tomorrow’s World Awards on BBC ONE. Subsequent TV highlights include presenting What the Ancients Did for Us (BBC TWO), The Nature of Britain (BBC ONE Scotland) and joining the team of Rough Science (BBC TWO). For Fossil Detectives (BBC FOUR/BBC TWO) she interviewed her hero Sir David Attenborough, and co-authored the book to accompany the series: Fossil Detectives: Discovering Prehistoric Britain (with Douglas Palmer).

Hermione has a voice described by one Sunday Times reviewer as ‘exceptionally attractive’! She has presented numerous science features and series for BBC Radio 4 on topics ranging from stomach bacteria to sand dunes. Recent programmes on Thomas Midgley, Claire Patterson and the 50th anniversary of the laser have all won awards (with producer Mike Hally).

Other work includes expert contributions (e.g. Britain’s Favourite View, Britain’s Finest Natural Wonders, Time Flyers), voice-overs for visitor attractions, science festival talks and hosting awards ceremonies.