Rudolf Williams
Enthralling Enthusing Empowering
Rudolf Williams
Enthralling Enthusing Empowering
Welcome
I am Rudolf Williams, a passionate motivational speaker, dedicated to: inspiring individuals to connect with nature,
arousing a sense of curiosity
and making a difference.
With a unique blend of life experiences and an engaging style of delivery, I have been enthralling and enthusing my audiences since 1993, giving cause to reflect, celebrate and think to the future.
I offer motivational, careers and bespoke presentations to a diversity of audiences.
About Rudolf Williams VR, BA(Hons) MSc, PGCE, FRGS
Motivation
Motivated to inspire others to engage with the world about them, parallel careers and interests have amalgamated over time to achieve this common objective; aspects of science and technology have been the theme, arts and the media have been the method. This unique experiential mix has become an asset in its own right.
Marine life
I graduated from Middlesex University with an Honours Degree in Scientific Illustration. I have applied my artistic skills to a broad range of 2D and 3D design work over the years. During my studies I became interested in sharks, and spent my work placement with the University of Miami shark research department. I returned for three succe
I graduated from Middlesex University with an Honours Degree in Scientific Illustration. I have applied my artistic skills to a broad range of 2D and 3D design work over the years. During my studies I became interested in sharks, and spent my work placement with the University of Miami shark research department. I returned for three successive years continuing to work for the department in the field and with the BBC filming a documentary. I have spent much of my life dedicated to shark conservation, taking a leading role in launching the UK Shark Trust and working in public education at aquaria in the UK and abroad. This marine interest included three years as project officer for the Durlston Marine Project (Dorset), where I studied bottlenose dolphins and co-founded the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme - now the charity MARINElife; the charity has recorded >10,000 sightings and 23 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise, over 20 years, in UK waters and the Bay of Biscay.
Travel and Service
Travel and Service
I have an interest in all natural history, spending most of my travels in North America - including work at the Everglades National Park. My recent quest has been to film the rattlesnakes of the continent and thus far have encountered and filmed 13 of the 18 species for you. I have explored extensively in Australia and support Project Nu
I have an interest in all natural history, spending most of my travels in North America - including work at the Everglades National Park. My recent quest has been to film the rattlesnakes of the continent and thus far have encountered and filmed 13 of the 18 species for you. I have explored extensively in Australia and support Project Numbat. Most recently I have visited the Western Cape, SA.
I joined the Royal Naval Reserve (VIVID), rising from Ordinary Seaman to the rank of Lieutenant. As a Media Operations Officer I served across the globe aboard Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and NATO vessels. I also delivered training to 50 ships for Flag Officer Sea Training and completed two operational tours in the Arabian Gulf. I worked at Navy Command HQ for 15 months and was PR officer to HMS ENDURANCE and VICTORY. I retired from the Service after 11 years.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with IBG.
More about your speaker
NASA
NASA
NASA
With a lifelong fascination for technology (aircraft in particular), I became interested in the US Space Shuttle while working in Florida in 1988. Over the following 23 years of the programme I was fortunate to attend several mission launches and landings: STS: 26, 54, 55, 61, 81, 107, 114 and 133. I was granted media accreditation with N
With a lifelong fascination for technology (aircraft in particular), I became interested in the US Space Shuttle while working in Florida in 1988. Over the following 23 years of the programme I was fortunate to attend several mission launches and landings: STS: 26, 54, 55, 61, 81, 107, 114 and 133. I was granted media accreditation with NASA and access to the Shuttle facilities at the Kennedy Space Centre as well as Cape Canaveral Space Force Station thanks to the USAF and Retired Col. Ernest Malnassy. These experiences formed the basis of my dissertation, part of my studies at Imperial College London, where I completed an MSc in Science Communication.
Art
NASA
NASA
I am a keen photographer, artist and model maker, and hope to exhibit my Fleischmann 'N' gauge Alpine model railway soon (watch this space for an update in 2025).
I have a lot of experience in front of and behind the microphone and camera for broadcast media. Following four years as the communications officer for the RSPB in Kent, I comple
I am a keen photographer, artist and model maker, and hope to exhibit my Fleischmann 'N' gauge Alpine model railway soon (watch this space for an update in 2025).
I have a lot of experience in front of and behind the microphone and camera for broadcast media. Following four years as the communications officer for the RSPB in Kent, I completed an artist residency - in 2016 - creating a work of science communication called, ‘Space For Nature’. I achieved a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christ Church University, and have since been teaching all ages, specialising in science and geography.
I have been a schools Trustee for a year.
NASA
BOOK YOUR NEXT PRESENTATION OF CURIOSITY
Voyagers of Curiosity
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
Voyagers of Curiosity
The quest for outer space stands on the shoulders of oceanic exploration.
An evening of time travel, great stories, imagery, film and some very precious objects celebrating human scientific curiosity across the centuries.
We pass down the names of ships of notable scientific adventure, each namesake embraces its heritage and further contributes to our understanding of the natural world. Rudolf, dressed as an 18th century Naval officer, threads together the accomplishments of the famous Space Shuttles he witnessed with their namesakes: Columbia Rediviva, Royal Research Ship Discovery, Research Yacht Atlantis, HMS Challenger and HMS Endeavour, and finds links to vessels aboard which he conducted his own marine research.
45 + 45mins
Rudolf Gets Rattled
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
Voyagers of Curiosity
Encounters with venomous snakes
Arizona is the most bio-diverse region of the USA. Rudolf introduces the ‘Sky Islands’, their habitat and associated wildlife and shares his top tips on spotting snakes in this environment, talks about their behaviour, and their remarkably useful venom.
Of the 18 main species of rattlesnake in North America Rudolf shares his personal encounters with 14 of them… up close! Across California and Arizona, Rudolf films these mysterious, much-maligned, and deeply misunderstood reptiles. Some present themselves startlingly - others are almost impossible to find.
No humans were harmed in the making of this presentation.
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
A scientific illustrator's story
Rudolf completed an artist residency at Durlston Country Park, Swanage. This talk reveals the creative process of the exhibition 'Space For Nature' which extolls the use of satellites to explore animal behaviour. Find out how Dorset's Jurassic Coast, its wildlife and the marinescape, inspired his life in art and science, how a shark called 'Nicole' started this particular and remarkable story, and how numbats made it happen!
FREE EXHIBITION
The resultant art exhibition is available to borrow. Review the images below and contact me for a synopsis of the exhibition content and logistics.
Crossing Boundaries
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
Space For Nature Lecture and Exhibition
A unique story of birds and people on the high seas of Iraq
Rudolf served in the Royal Navy. Join him in a dramatic story of unfolding human and wildlife drama in the dangerous waters of the North Arabian Gulf.
When the flagship’s deck fills with migrating birds Rudolf is ‘ordered’ to an Iraqi oil platform ten miles out at sea to witness an avian spectacle - thousands of birds are on the move. With no plants at all, and not a song to be heard, will you be able to identify the dizzying variety of species he has photographed for you? Find out where the birds are coming from and going to and what happens when they drop into this politically charged environment.
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
Landscape scale conservation in action
Rudolf introduces the wildlife, conservation management and surprising history along the Thames Estuary and presented from a bird’s eye view. Enjoy Rudolf's microlight flights over the nature reserves, evidencing homes for nature built on a massive scale. This is what your membership to the RSPB and Wildlife Trust delivers. Stretching from the Dartford Thames Crossing to Ramsgate, the marshes were created by the Romans, farmed by the Saxons, written about by Dickens, and echoed to the voice of President Roosevelt. The talk is enriched with video highlights from his 'Big Year' in Kent.
The US Space Shuttle Up Close!
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
Nature Conservation on the North Kent Marshes
A personal story of the world's most complex flying machine
Rudolf's eyewitness adventures (illustrated with his images, astronaut interviews, audio and video recordings), take you right into the heart of Space Shuttle launch operations spanning his 23 years visiting NASA. He talked his way all the way to the launch pads and was there at some historic moments as the world's most complex machine battled with its own design. This is a story of human triumph and tragedy brought into reality by the unique items of flown Space Shuttle hardware that he will bring along. What is the retired Space Transportation System's legacy?
NEW TO 2025
WWII: Relative Events - the Air War
Reflecting on differing personal impacts of the war.
The story of Rudolf’s father provides the backbone for this presentation, revealing how many West Indians came to join the RAF and how radar development changed the face of the air war.
Although some of James Williams’s compatriots perished, the War proved a foundation for his successful
Reflecting on differing personal impacts of the war.
The story of Rudolf’s father provides the backbone for this presentation, revealing how many West Indians came to join the RAF and how radar development changed the face of the air war.
Although some of James Williams’s compatriots perished, the War proved a foundation for his successful career; however, Rudolf also shares the startling experiences from family connections who found themselves at the wrong end of well-aimed fighter bombers. A very personal account pieced together from conversations and James’s Service Record.