Dr. Vanessa Championa

Originally an academic at UCL, Ness has a PhD in Greek and Latin, and also worked in the British Museum, honing her interest in research in how societies flourish and how the visual environment informs our behaviours. Way before her academic career she had started selling her landscape and seascape photography, relishing the quiet, healing moments that nature gave to her during her teenage years. It was during her 20s that she started living very “naturally”, eating whole foods, reducing her grid energy consumption, choosing natural materials to wear, etc.

When she left academia Ness worked in various industries, including finance and broadcast working across creative, editorial and management roles, culminating in editing a London newspaper and setting up her own media company. Four years ago, she founded The Journal of Biophilic Design to share interviews with thought leaders on how biophilia supports wellbeing for people, planet and place. A serial traveller and professional photographer, Ness creates “Virtual Nature Walls” for healthcare, schools, offices and homes. Ness is also founder of PhotoAid Global Foundation www.photoaid.org.uk and co-founder of The Space Doctors.