I'm a freelance journalist, science writer, author, editor and journalism educator. I have worked as a reporter, sub-editor (copy editor), production editor and feature writer on newspapers in the UK, Southern Africa and Australia. Before going freelance I was a senior writer and associate editor with Australian Geographic.

Since going freelance in 1994, I have written about science, the environment, technology, medicine, farming, social issues, history, architecture, people, travel, adventure, and human geography. I have published several pieces of memoir. My articles have appeared in more than 20 Australian and international publications. In 2014 I was runner-up in the BRAGG UNSW Press science writing prize for an article on weather.

I have had seven books published, including a biography, and have edited or co-authored (ghostwritten) another eight.

I have a multilingual background, having lived on four continents, and hold a BA degree in German and Portuguese. I'm passionate about the English language and can't resist fascinating stories about people.

Photo shows a monsoon storm over northern Australia. I shot it while I was storm-chasing for an article on weather and weather-forecasting.