Prof Ben Garrod
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bengarrod.bsky.social
Prof Ben Garrod
@bengarrod.bsky.social
4.1K followers 1.2K following 83 posts
Monkey-chaser, TV-talker, author, silly runner, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at @uniofeastanglia (He/Him)

Managed by: https://knightayton.co.uk/broadcast_talent/ben-garrod/
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bengarrod.bsky.social
It’s our #BookBirthday today - the fourth in my series following the life and times of my dog Jack Jack … from his humble origin story, to mammoth adventures and facing his arch enemy, these are some lovely books for young (and older) animal lovers.
September 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Anyone lucky enough to share their life with a dog, happy #InternationalDogDay

My one and only run with Jack was successfully caught on drone, 100% misrepresenting him!

For more Jack adventures, try our book series for young readers: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/jack...

@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Exciting news, this end … I’ve joined the brilliant team at @knightayton.bsky.social, as one of their clients … and am lucky enough to sit alongside a raft of talented journalists, broadcasters, academics and presenters: knightayton.co.uk/broadcast_ta...

#media #broadcasting #academia #radio #tv
Head and shoulders shot of Ben. He’s smiling and has had a beard trim and hair cut. He’s wearing dark-rimmed rounded glasses. He has a blue shirt and dark blue cord jacket.
April 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
bengarrod.bsky.social
It’s our #BookBirthday

The third in my #JackJack kids’ fiction series, with @headofzeus.bsky.social Mammoths, chickens and TV crews: standard stuff for a little dog!

Support your favourite local bookshop when grabbing a copy, and get reading.

“It’s pawsome - now where’s that treat?” (JackJack)
April 3, 2025 at 7:53 AM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Had a very fun evening interviewing broadcaster, zoologist, and friend, the epic #SteveBackshall for the #NorwichScienceFestival on my home turf at the @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social

So many aspiring young conservationists, biologists, broadcasters, and scientists. Great night.

@biouea.bsky.social
Image shows the heads of a large crowd looking at the stage, where im sitting alongside Steve. Our images are also being projected on a large screen. There are signs for both the University of East Anglia and Norwich Science Festival around us. Steve is wearing chinos and a dark shirt with sharks on. I’m wearing jeans and a green and white shirt, with a green jacket.
February 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
bengarrod.bsky.social
“No one said this would be easy, just know that nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment”

Well that was a wet, windy and muddy nightly slog round the fields … soaked to my bones, but there’s probably a life lesson there somewhere.

#running #run #runner #fitness #health
Close-up selfie, at night. Ben is wearing a black coat, with a chest light. He’s absolutely soaked but the silly bugger is still smiling.
January 28, 2025 at 10:07 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Was already questioning a few life choices a few km into a sub-zero trail run across fields and along icy roads tonight … then my light went out. Literally, not existentially … made for an interesting run.

#TrailRunning #ColdSnap #Running
A monochrome look along a deserted country lane at night, only lit by the moonlight. There are high hedges and trees acting as silhouettes on either side, and the lane is white with ice.
January 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
The (very cold) face of nocturnal winter trail running, across the fields … with the air feeling as if it’s sticking to my asthmatic lungs, and my legs ratcheting away like a long-forgotten rusting lawn chair inexorably folding with age. Other than that I loved it!

#Runner #FeckItsCold #TrailRun
January 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Bloody. Freezing.

Hope everyone’s had a happy and healthy Christmas. Remember to get outside, exercise if you can … benefitting our physical and mental health.
December 26, 2024 at 1:04 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
"Yule is supposed to be a celebration and a consolation, a moment of warm brightness in the heart of winter".

Happy #WinterSolstice all
December 21, 2024 at 10:21 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
CHICKEN ADVENTURE UPDATE

She’s had a walk around on the first train to drink and stretch her legs, and now enjoying the Tube …

Weird looks have been minimal. Looks of chicken purring and cooing coming from within the travel box, though … so she’s a happy hen.

#BenOnnaTrain
#AprilsBigJourney
December 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Was it the smartest idea to take the new trail shoes out for a test drive today? Nope!

Was it exhilarating nonetheless and am I soaked to my bones? Yup!

Are the shoes still sickly yellow? Not even close!!!

#Run #Runner #Running #TrailRunner
Close-up shot of me standing on grass. Very clean and bright yellow trail shoes - like banana yellow. Very red socks. I clearly have no fashion sense at all.
December 7, 2024 at 3:52 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Buried my sweetest, oldest, meanest, funniest, naughtiest rescue hen, Rosie, today.

We’re always taught it’s a slippery slope when we anthropomorphise but wow did she have a personality!

I genuinely feel for anyone whose heart hasn’t ever broken a little bit from the loss of an animal …
November 25, 2024 at 9:26 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
What about writers who loves dogs, whose dog has a bunch of books? Jack deserves to be listed, right?
November 20, 2024 at 7:37 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Come on then … where are all the runners on here? Who’s done the ultimate package of trail and ultra runners? Yes, I am giddy with excitement, after my first run in months! I’m slow, sluggish, yet my heart is on fire … but not in the tachycardic way …

#run #runner #running #TrailRunning
Close-up selfie against the beach. The sky is really grey, with angry-looking clouds. Hair is a mess, as usual, and I’m looking flushed from the cold. Still smiling though!
November 20, 2024 at 3:58 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
I’ve spent the most glorious afternoon repainting, cleaning and tidying the henhouse for the winter months … it’s been the most peaceful and cathartic day just hanging out with the gals

All our birds are rescues and now have the best life. Happy girls!
Wide angle view of the inside view of my walk-in chicken coop. Left side is the coop itself, freshly painted green, with a ramp leading up to the entrance. There’s a water barrel, feeding trough, and a rota for feeding shifts (and chicken IDs) on the opposite wall. The wooden floor is covered in sawdust and there is just one chicken wandering around, being nosy. Same view as before, but taken closer to the ground. Two birds now very interested in my phone. Both are classic ‘farmyard’ brown hens. Photo showing panels of freshly painted green, with one on the right still unpainted, quite dirty and with some poo stains still. Definitely looks better painted. Same view as the first two but it’s now nighttime and there are three lights suspended from the roof. It is quite bright in there.
November 16, 2024 at 10:05 PM
bengarrod.bsky.social
Morning gang, lovely to see so many familiar and new accounts mingling round, all being marvellous to one another on here.

I’m Ben, an evolutionary biologist, author, broadcaster, runner, and dog wrangler. I’m usually either in Bristol or Norwich, or on a train.

Currently on a train!
Close-up selfie of Ben. Pink T-shirt, red and black checked flannel shirt and a blue running jacket. Hair isn’t as scruffy as usual, glasses are doing a poor job at hiding my tired eyes. Possible to see I’m on a train.
November 14, 2024 at 11:26 AM