I’m a parent, guerrilla geographer, National Geographic Explorer, Ordnance Survey Get Outside Champion, former geography teacher and led the campaign to make London the world’s first National Park City.
My work focuses on challenging myself and others to see the world in new ways. I do this by combining creative exploration, geography and communication to tackle social and environmental challenges.
I’m currently working on a new project called “Slow Ways”. My idea for this is simple – to collaboratively create a network of 7,000+ walking routes that connect all of Great Britain’s towns and cities. This is a beautiful, positive and timely project. Walking can improve health and wellbeing, tackle the climate and ecological emergencies, save people money, improve our environment and bring joy to people’s lives. You can find out more and get involved here.
In 2018 I completed a completed a 100 metre nano-expedition for Friends of the Earth to make The UK in 100 Seconds, a short film that reveals what the United Kingdom looks like in its correct proportions. Each second of the film equals 1% of what the UK looks like from the air. In 2019 I worked with Jack Smith to make the Netherlands in 100 Seconds.
I’ve walked across all of the UK’s national parks and cities wearing a mind-reading device, walked the height of Mount Everest by only using London buildings, authored children’s books and completed 125 adventures around the country with my son. I’ve also been working on a project with Friends of the Earth to work with residents of a London neighbourhood to make their streets incredibly more green and wild.
I’m currently developing a number of other creative and disruptive projects that focus the ecological, climate and environmental crises in different ways.
On this site you can see a range of my work and follow my updates.
I am also the Director of Topolocus Limited, the company I do my work through.
I regularly give talks and keynotes on adventure, exploration, play, education, conservation, technology and cities. Here’s a short talk that I gave at the National Geographic Society in Washington DC.
“Daniel Raven-Ellison is a powerful speaker that takes his audience on an unexpected journey through their own cities and backyards, shifting their perceptions along the way. His passion and creativity are infectious, and by the end of his talk you too will be a guerrilla geographer.” Anastasia Cronin, Director, Explorer Programmes, National Geographic
“Due to Dan’s hard work the campaign resulted in Cisco exceeding our pre-agreed KPIs, giving us extensive PR coverage and media exposure, and also gaining industry recognition, including a Global Festival of Media award as well as several other nominations we are still waiting on.” Lucas Betes, Digital Marketing and Brand Manager, Cisco
“Dan inspired our team to see the world differently and to be more connected, more curious, and more courageous.” Polly Roberts, Client Director, Carat
“The Future of Local campaign was one of the most successful online conversations ever generated on TED and won the coveted ‘Best Initiative in Social Responsibility’ from Hospitality Awards. Daniel’s credible passion for the greater social good of the world and the environment specifically is personally inspiring and was critical to the commercial success of the TED and InterContinental partnership.” Jennifer Ploszaj, JP Communications
Like to get in contact? Here are my details:
- Email: daniel at topolocus.com
- Twitter: @DanRavenEllison
- Instagram: DanRavenEllison
- Linkedin: DanielRavenEllison