Ian started out as a conservation and ecotourism writer-photographer in South Africa in the mid-nineties. By the early 2000s his work had been published by leading magazines and book publishers in South Africa, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S.A. After immigrating to the U.S. he landed a berth as a photojournalist-reporter with Lee Central Coast News where he led the group into the world of multimedia storytelling. Examples were showcased as best practice at national  conferences.

 

From there Ian transitioned into the field of science communications where he exercised a knack for storytelling for some of the world’s leading research institutes including the Woodwell Climate Research Center, Virginia Sea Grant at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Oregon State University where he served as editor of the science research magazine, Terra. 

 

Although a proud journeyman, Ian's education includes an AA in Photography and Graphic Design, a BA ED with a double major in Geography and Human Movement Science, and an MS in Environmental Communications.  

 

Before embarking on his journalism and media career, Ian operated Honeyguide Wilderness Adventures in South Africa. He has been certified as a sea kayak guide by the American Canoe Association,  a river guide by the South African River Guides Association, a Sport Cycle Coach by the US Cycling Federation, and  a backpacking and adventure guide by South African Tourism. Ian has bikepacked South Africa, the Adirondacks, Scotland's Cairngorms National Park and the Pacific Coast Bike Trail and hopes to complete the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail before he dies. He backpacked the John Muir Trail in 14 days and has paddled numerous South African and North American river trails.​

Originally trained as a geography teacher and phys ed coach, Ian's early career roots were as teacher-instructor. In 2016 he was asked to host and serve as faculty for a semester-long Advanced Science Communication Seminar at Virginia Sea Grant, which is housed in the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary. 

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He coached fellows in-person and remotely, and from infographics to whiteboard animation to videos to photo essays and documentary shorts, their products were shared with the media, policymakers, stakeholders and prospective employers. Some were published by programs like Science Matters and on PBS Television. 

 

Ian has also been the primary adviser for a master's thesis, which evaluated data collected using time-lapse photography, to monitor improvements to a Wyoming wetland that is an important bird migration stopover area, and has served as the principal investigator on a project entitled The Benefits of Transmedia over Regular Journalism for the Communication of Science.​​

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Student Work​​

What is a Wetland by Pamela Braff, aired on PBS TV. 

 

Resilient Ingleside by Sarah Ruiz was a multimedia storytelling project that examined a local efforts to combat recurrent flooding.

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The Marlin Maven was an ARCGIS Storymap that covered the work of PhD candidate Nadya Mamoozadeh. 

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The James River Blues was produced by talented storyteller Paige Bellamy who has since opted for a career in law.