I can trace my passion for expressing things visually to my childhood. From a young age, I was inclined towards photography, nature, and beauty as it is found in the everyday. Studying at Srishti and my experience while working as a photographer and designer further honed my skills. I started learning and loving the art of visual communication. I think it is safe to say that at any given day I’d rather draw a thing than spell it. My present role at Dakshin as the Art Director and Managing Editor of Current Conservation allows me to effectively combine my design and visual communication skills with my passion for the natural world and its conservation. Design for change is something I truly believe in, as I feel that information, when communicated easily and creatively, can make a huge difference.

I was a conservationist long before it became my job – it’s a way of life for me. After completing an Erasmus Mundus MSc in Applied Ecology & Conservation (2011–13), I had the privilege of doing research in diverse places such as the Western Ghats and the Western Himalayas in India, and the neotropical forests of the West Indies. A turning point in my career was when, in 2016, I started managing a community-based conservation program in the remote, biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh. Working on the ground with multiple stakeholders to reduce threats to endangered species challenged my views of conservation up until then. It eventually led me to do the MPhil in Conservation Leadership (2019–20) at the University of Cambridge. Now at Current Conservation, I aim to bring everything that I have learnt over the years together with my passion for conservation and communication.

Kartik is Faculty at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore where he indulges his fascination for ecology and evolution, working with students on frogs, reptiles, birds, plants, reef fish and other marine fauna. Kartik has worked on the biology and conservation of sea turtles for the last 25 years, and is the author of the book From Soup to Superstar, a historical account of sea turtle conservation in India. He is a Founding Trustee of Dakshin Foundation which works largely with coastal communities on natural resource conservation and management.  In his spare time, he seeks to distract young minds from more serious pursuits with books such as Lori’s Magical Mystery, Turtle Story, The Adventures of Philautus Frog and Moonlight in the Sea. As the Founding Editor of CC, he believes that art and science must meet more often, in creative and engaging ways.

Ipsa Jain is a scientist turned science communicator. She makes images, zines and books about science and society. She experiments with paper, data, education, and communities.

Ghazala Shahabuddin is an ecologist and author who has worked on issues such as land-use change impacts, community-based conservation, and protected area management in India. Currently, she is involved in long term research on the avian communities in Kumaon Himalayas and a related outreach programme.