Ella Al-Shamahi

Ella Al-Shamahi is an explorer, scientist and presenter who brings the story of humanity to life through adventure, science, and storytelling.

Ella Al-Shamahi is an explorer, palaeoanthropologist and evolutionary biologist who has built a reputation for combining deep scientific knowledge with an engaging and accessible presenting style. Now a well-known face on TV, Ella uses her platform to bring science, archaeology and the story of humanity to life for global audiences. Her work has taken her to some of the most remote and politically unstable regions in the world, including Yemen and Somaliland, where she has led groundbreaking expeditions. In recognition of her work, she was named a National Geographic Explorer in 2015.

Ella has presented a range of major science and archaeology programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic. Whether in the field or in the studio, her approach is informed, energetic, and always audience-focused. She offers two popular keynote talks: Human, which explores how Homo sapiens became the dominant species on Earth, and How to Be a 21st Century Explorer, a personal and inspiring talk that charts her own journey from growing up as a creationist to becoming an evolutionary biologist.

In 2025, Ella will present HUMAN, a major five-part series from BBC Studios and PBS. The programme blends archaeology, travel, and expert interviews to explore the deep story of human origins. Travelling the world, Ella retraces the steps of our ancient ancestors, visiting key archaeological sites and uncovering the factors that made us who we are today.

Beyond television, Ella is also making her mark in audio. She is the host of The Conversation, a BBC podcast that amplifies the voices of women across the globe. In each episode, she hears from two women with shared experiences, whether that’s working in male-dominated industries, using sport to campaign for gender equality, or tackling environmental challenges in their local communities.

Her past presenting work includes Viking Warrior Women for National Geographic, where she helped uncover what may be the first evidence of a battle injury on a female Viking warrior. She has also fronted documentaries for Channel 4 such as What Killed the Whale, investigating the mysterious death of a 40-foot sei whale in Edinburgh.

Alongside her scientific and broadcast work, Ella also uses comedy as a powerful tool to communicate science. She has performed stand-up internationally, including appearances at the Bloomsbury Theatre, the National Geographic main stage, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her ability to blend humour with insight makes her a unique and compelling communicator.

Ella brings a fresh, dynamic and inclusive voice to conversations about science, exploration and the human story — connecting with audiences of all backgrounds through a mix of adventure, curiosity and storytelling.