Wildlife cameraman Doug Allan comes to the Institute
8 Nov 2011
The Institute was once again delighted to welcome Professor Doug Allan this week to give an inspirational presentation to colleagues and our year 1 undergraduates following our immensely popular "Our Blue Planet" module. Doug is a marine biologist and wildlife cameraman who specialises in underwater Polar work, principally in the Antarctic. He has made exceptional contributions to well-known series including "The Blue Planet", "Planet Earth", "Life", Ocean Giants and, more recently, "Frozen Planet" and his name is usually top of the list in the credits on these programmes. Doug has many awards for hsi work, including a prestigious "Emmy" for his 2007 work on Planet Eartjh.
Having graduated from Stirling in 1973, Doug migrated into scientific diving and eventually into work with the British Antarctic Survey. After building up a lot of polar experience, he then developed his scientific photography and video work and became a key player in the popular BBC series mentioned above. Doug's experience as a biologist, cameraman and keen field observer of animal behaviour gives him a unique perspective which comes across so well in his talks and always enthuses our students. His concern with climate change which he has witnessed occurring at first hand in the polar regions over many years gives him an authoritative voice in raising awarenness wherever he travels and speaks.
Doug was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University and a Chair in the Institute of Aquaculture in recognition of his work and we are privileged to be able to have him speak to our students each year. His full biography and exceptional contribution to wildlfe documentary cinematography can be found at doug allan.com