This week on the blog, we're sitting down with Dr. Anjana Khatwa, award winning Earth Scientist and author of The Whispers of Rock!

Hi Anjana! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us here at Joanie. Let’s start things off with a bit of background, can you tell our readers about yourself and your career so far?

As an Earth Scientist, I specialise in bringing stories about the origins and formation of natural landscapes to life for a whole range of audiences. As a child, I loved science, and because I grew up in an era of space shuttle launches, I was obsessed with becoming a NASA astronaut. But when I was thirteen years old, a visit to see family in Kenya (which is where my parents are from) caused my whole perspective on the world to change. Growing up in Slough meant that I had limited experiences in nature, so experiencing the landscapes of Kenya was life-changing.

Surprisingly, it was not the herds of elephants walking across the savannah that captivated me – it was a stretch of jagged black rocks formed from an old volcanic fissure eruption called the Shetani Lava Flows that lit a fire in my heart. We had stopped off in the Tsavo West National Park to look at this strange, otherworldly landscape, and as I wandered off, I felt the rocks speak to me. I imagined a landscape of erupting volcanoes where churning rivers of lava flowed across the land. In that moment, I knew that I wanted to understand the origins of these rocks and those of their companions across the world.

I went on to study Earth Science at university (much to the bewilderment of my family) and after gaining my doctorate, spent four years working in the United States as a research scientist. My experiences working with the US National Park Service helped me fall in love with telling stories about landscapes, and I decided to return to the UK to lead the learning and engagement programme at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in Dorset and East Devon, where I worked for fifteen years.

Being one of the few women of colour working in the geosciences and protected landscapes sector is incredibly challenging, and as a result, I have campaigned tirelessly for greater inclusion in my field. In recent years, I have led inclusion and engagement at Wessex Museums and now work as the Joint Head of Inclusion and Belonging at the National Trust.

My writing career began in September 2021 when I reached the longlist for the Nan Shepherd Prize for nature writing. I was signed by Richard Pike at C&W Literary Agency, and under his careful direction, The Whispers of Rock was born. When the book was acquired by Little, Brown for a six-figure sum, I was utterly stunned that a publisher had seen the potential in their extraordinary stories. I am thrilled that in the year I turn 50, the book that I have been waiting all my life to write will finally be released! 

Your book, The Whispers of Rock, tells the amazing story of how rocks shape our world and our lives. Tell us – what’s the most interesting thing our readers might not know about rocks?

Rocks are ancient storykeepers of time - they record not only how our world has changed and evolved, but also that of the human experience. But, despite being the foundation for all life on earth, most people are not even aware of their existence or contribution to our lives. I believe this distance, in part, is perpetuated by the science that uses concepts and language which is often too complex and abstract to emotionally engage people.

In addition, rock is (in a scientific sense) not a living organism, so many people do not feel a natural empathy for them as they might do for a tree or a bird that comes to feed in their garden each day. Reframing our relationship with rock requires us to understand it as an animate part of the natural world. Think of that pebble you might have picked up on the beach while on holiday: its stories could whisper of a time when mountains were born due to colliding continents or the rush of a river across a sandy plain. But, imprinted upon its scientific origins, is the memory of the day when it first caught your eye and the emotions it evoked.

Across the world, Indigenous and global majority communities have always looked towards rock to memorialise their stories and life experiences, as you might have done with your pebble. Tis-se-yak (Half Dome), a granite peak in Yosemite National Park, was revered by the Ahwahneechee peoples as a reminder to be humble and kind to each other. Pounamu, a sacred greenstone formed from the deepest crustal rocks on earth, is imbued with mana (status) and is regarded as tapu (sacred) by Māori for chiefdom and peacemaking.

In seismically active regions, stories, songs and legends about rock and landscape are used to memorialise experiences that would help future descendants cope with disaster, grief and change. Closer to home, rock has the power to influence the food you consume, like the coffee you drink or even the bread you eat. The Whispers of Rock is an exhilarating journey that showcases the science alongside spiritual interpretations and human impact that brings context and relevance to why geology matters to our lives.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

As an Earth Scientist who specialises in engaging people with the incredible stories that rocks can tell us, I love public speaking opportunities where I can bring my passion and joy for geology to large audiences. One of my favourite places to do this is on cruise ships, where I help guests prepare for their onshore trips.

I spend time researching the places they will visit, and on sea days, I deliver engaging and accessible lectures that prepare them to become rock whisperers in the field. I am also a Regional Ambassador for Girlguiding Southwest England, where I have my own badge that is awarded to members who attend my talks and interactive sessions. I especially love this role as I inspire not only a new generation of girls and young women into science, but also re-engage older women (unit leaders) who perhaps haven't been as lucky as I have to follow their dreams of a career in science.

Outside of my work as an Earth Scientist and a writer, I also work as the joint Head of Inclusion and Belonging at the National Trust. It is here that I can really champion my passion for helping everyone enjoy places of nature, beauty and history that the Trust strives to conserve and protect.

Outside of work, what do you get up to in your spare time?

I am an active person and enjoy running, swimming, going to the gym and exploring places that have incredible geological stories. I turned 50 this year, and was lucky enough to be invited to lecture on a cruise ship that sailed all around Iceland. On my day off, I booked a tour with a local guide who took me walking over the 2021 Fagradalsfjall lava flows, which absolutely blew my mind. In one location, I could put my hand into a crack in the basaltic rock and feel the heat emitted from the hundreds of meters of lava cooling below. 

I also like to spend time walking along the Jurassic Coast and looking for fossils on the beaches around Lyme Regis and Charmouth. As a result, my house is full of rocks and fossils from all over the world, which fills me with great joy. 

Finally, which Joanie pieces are you loving most right now?

I love clothes that help me look polished and smart, but also allow me to express my individuality, which is why I currently love the Richy Ornamental Chinoiserie Soft Tailored Blazer and matching Pippa Trousers. The print is stunning, and the mountain landscapes remind me of a piece of writing where I discussed the evolution of kami (nature spirits) in Japanese culture. I’ll be wearing this to book launch events teamed with a crisp, cotton white shirt, white trainers and my new Shakti (meaning power) earrings crafted by the incredible jewellery maker, Anisha Parma.

The Andi Book Print Shirt Dress is perfect for my more intimate book launch events as we head into autumn and winter.  I love the soft viscose fabric, and the print is absolutely on brand for a new author launching a book (although my inner six-year-old was sorely tempted by the Rocket print!). I am going to team this dress with black opaque tights, a fine merino knit polo neck and a pair of book earrings (with real bound pages!) I bought from Con Papel y Punto, an artisan bookbinder in Cadiz, Spain. 

Discover more science-inspired styles in our Museum Enthusiasts edit!