Expedition Team & Patrons
Meet the dedicated individuals and organizations supporting our historic desert expedition across the Arabian Peninsula.

Leadership Team

James Harrison — Expedition Leader

James Harrison

Expedition Leader

With over 20 years of experience leading expeditions across five continents, James brings unparalleled expertise to our desert crossing. His background in wilderness survival and team leadership ensures the safety and success of our ambitious journey.

Dr. Elizabeth Thornton — Expedition Historian

Dr. Elizabeth Thornton

Expedition Historian

A renowned scholar of Middle Eastern history and culture, Dr. Thornton has published extensively on ancient trade routes and historical desert crossings. Her expertise provides crucial historical context to our modern expedition, connecting past and present.

Science Patrons

Dr. Mike Barratt — Medical Research Director

Dr. Mike Barratt

Medical Research Director

As a former NASA astronaut and physician, Dr. Barratt brings his expertise in extreme environment medicine to our expedition. His research on human adaptation to harsh conditions will help monitor team health and contribute valuable data to scientific understanding.

Dr. Mariam Fardous — Environmental Science Advisor

Dr. Mariam Fardous

Environmental Science Advisor

A pioneering researcher in desert ecology and climate adaptation, Dr. Fardous has led groundbreaking studies on sustainable practices in arid environments. Her guidance ensures our expedition maintains scientific rigor while minimizing environmental impact.

Government Affairs Team

Rebecca Redding — International Relations Director

Rebecca Redding

International Relations Director

With extensive diplomatic experience across the Middle East, Rebecca coordinates our relationships with government agencies and ensures all necessary permits and authorizations are secured for our cross-border expedition.

Peter Wilson — Security Coordinator

Peter Wilson

Security Coordinator

A former military intelligence officer with specialized knowledge of regional security dynamics, Peter oversees all safety protocols and risk assessments. His expertise ensures our team can navigate complex terrain with confidence.

Sir Mark Allen — Diplomatic Advisor

Sir Mark Allen

Diplomatic Advisor

With decades of service in international diplomacy, Sir Mark provides strategic counsel on cross-cultural engagement and governmental relations. His extensive network of contacts throughout the region has been invaluable to our expedition planning.

Institutional Patrons

Royal Geographical Society

Providing institutional support and historical expertise for our expedition, continuing their long tradition of backing groundbreaking geographical explorations.

Global Climate Research Institute

Supporting our scientific research objectives and providing technical equipment to gather valuable climate and environmental data throughout our journey.