Training

Ruth Tittensor graduated in Biology from Oxford University then took a research degree at Edinburgh University in the ecology and history of the Loch Lomond Oakwoods. Ruth is a Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Society of Biology.

Current Work

Ruth has recently finished the long-term Whitelee Forest Oral History Project for the Forestry Commission. This was the first time that some of the people who undertook the huge task of afforesting Scotland  – increasing its woodland cover from 6% to 17% in only forty years – had been given the chance to explain how they did it.

Ruth’s book was short-listed for the “Scottish History Book of the Year 2009 Award”.

Ruth is collaborating with archaeologist Caroline Wickham-Jones  on non-farming methods of food production, and is involved in the successful Moffat Book Events. She is also writing another book.

Collaborators

Several talented professionals with other skills contribute to projects when a wide breadth of experience is needed.

Click here to find out more about them.

Examples of work carried out

Ruth worked in southern England as a lecturer and researcher specialising in woodland, farmland and coastal ecology and heritage interpretation. Ruth's projects included the ancient woodland The Mens, owned by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Yew (Taxus baccata) woods of Hampshire and Sussex.

After some years coordinating the multi-disciplinary Chilgrove Valley Landscape Project on the West Dean Estate, Ruth prepared conservation management plans for the farms, based on this research. Committee work included Chichester Harbour Conservancy AONB, the Institute of Biology and the Standing Committee on Countryside Sports. With her husband Andrew, she produced booklets and guides on farmland conservation, honeybee forage and ancient rabbit warrens.

The Weald and Downland Open-air Museum provided another long-term focus for her work on cultural landscapes.  

While living in Darvel where Alexander Fleming was born, Ruth decided to write a popular booklet about his life and work. The local Loudoun and Galston Agricultural Association and west areas board of Scottish Natural Heritage are two organisations with which she has carried out voluntary work.

Click here for a summary of Ruth’s work abroad.