" When you're 5000 miles from home, surrounded by jungle and itching from bites, you find solace in the fact that your discoveries will be shared for the benefit of humankind.”
WILL RIDGEON,
DIRECTOR OF BBC's BLUE PLANET & PLANET EARTH
ABOUT
OVERVIEW / ETHOS / HISTORY / PERSONNEL
OVERVIEW
Cotton Globe is an organisation made up of a network of experienced, highly skilled volunteers, each with a specialist skill set, a network of contacts and access to state of the art equipment.
These resources are made available to academic research projects with either archaeological, conservation or historical significance. Applied technology can be a huge aid to data gathering during expedition and, beyond that, filmmaking support can help to illustrate results and maximise reach to audiences. Submitted projects are chosen based on their potential to further humanity's understanding of history, protect local cultures and enhance conservation of the natural world.
ETHOS
We combine a childlike thirst for discovery with highly sophisticated methods of exploration and analysis. We are about uncovering facts, presenting them without bias, and sharing this knowledge without borders or prejudice. Our chief aim is to reveal truths to help mankind better understand where it came from and where it's going. Honesty and accuracy are the key to this - we must fight to uphold these values and prevent profiteers from distorting reality for their own ends.
HISTORY
The organisation has been active and without identity since the late 1800's. However, with the advent of the internet and changing behaviours, global research support has become even more crucial. Thus Cotton Globe now has an online presence and a low key brand in order to help with project management, selection process and communications.
KEY PERSONNEL
The team and ambassadors include:
Shaun Whitehead - Explorer
Robert Richardson - Director of UK Robotics
Matt Sibson - Founder of Ancient Architects
Will Ridgeon - Director, BBC Blue Planet & Planet Earth
Sami MacCabe - Founder of Clarity PR
William Westaway - Documentary Producer
Nicholas Peres - VR & AR Pioneer
Jon Lackman - Journalist
Sayed Bin Ullah - Philanthropist
The Structure of Cotton Globe
While individuals may hold an expertise, hierarchy and job titles are not stressed among general employees, senior managers, and executives. Ours is a purely flat organizational structure and everyone is equal.
To a certain extent the organisation is self-managed. This reduces bureaucracy and empowers individuals to make decisions, become creative problem solvers, and take responsibility for their actions. Ultimately, it allows us to speed up processes and maintain our integrity by decentralising decision-making.