British Omani Society

Dr Ash Parton is a paleoenvironmental scientist with interests in the dynamics and periodicity of long-term climate change in drylands, and the potential effects of such changes on human populations. In particular, his research focuses on the Arabian Peninsula and has helped to develop our understanding of early human population movements out of Africa and through the Saharan-Arabian Desert belt. Ash joined Mansfield College, University of Oxford in September 2015, where he became a lecturer in physical geography.In this podcast, Ash discusses the importance of palaeoclimatology not only to understand our earliest ancestors, but also mapping the evidence of climate change today. Ash also touches on his ongoing research with Simon Underwood and recalls his fondest memories of Oman._________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

Dr Rumaitha Al Hosni is an Extraordinary Junior Research Fellow in Physiology at Queen's College Oxford. Rumaitha spent the first 15 years of her life in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, followed by a few years in Oman, before moving to the UK in 2011 to pursue higher education. In this podcast, we ask her about her experiences of London, Oxford, Dar Es Salaam, and Muscat, while also finding out more about her incredible work in ion channel physiology and pharmacology._________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this episode of the Anglo-Omani Society podcast we are pleased to welcome Muamir Al-Hasny. Muamir is managing director at Muamir Design & Engineering Consultancy. After graduating from Sultan School Muamir earned degrees in Mechanical and Construction Engineering before working in his current role. His company has been behind the development of amazing projects that span private, commercial, and civil construction. In this podcast, we speak about his career, the incredible projects his company works on, and Oman’s unique approach to architecture and engineering in the Gulf. _________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this episode, we speak with Maha Al-Habsi. Maha graduated from Sultan Qaboos University in 2016 from the Economics and Political Science College. Unsure and not confident as to what her next step was Maha enrolled in a course headed up by Outward Bound Oman. She was then discovered by Mark Evans, the incredible force behind everything that goes on there, and ended up joining the team in January 2018. She began as a business manager and is now head of business development and is now an all-around ambassador of all the work they do. In this podcast, we discuss what led her to join, how her path happened, as well as the amazing work they are doing at Outward Bound Oman. 

Elizabeth Davis is an Indian artist in Oman who recently came to the forefront of the Omani art scene. She is the recipient of the National Talent Search Scheme Award, a university topper for her Bachelors & Masters, a Marine Biologist and former banker, she seems to have forayed into various fields before settling down to her one true passion – Painting! From having a fantastic art department in school, she has furthered her artistic career by doing various courses with famous international artists to hone her skills and reach where she is. Last year she was a winner at the ‘Masterpiece Oman’ competition held by the Anglo Omani Society. Having lived in Muscat for almost 30 years, Elizabeth’s work reflects her love for this amazing country, its awe-inspiring landscape and warm, friendly people.In this podcast, Lydia and Elizabeth discuss the art scene in Oman, Elizabeth’s recent work, and the joy of painting.  _________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

Dr Zahid Al Mandhari is head of Radiation Oncology at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Centre. After graduating the top of his class from Sultan Qaboos University, Dr Al Mandhari decided to focus on Radiation Oncology and started studying at the University of Alberta where he finished his fellowship. Later he joined the Royal Hospital in Oman as a radiation oncologist before his current role at the soon-to-open Comprehensive Cancer Centre. In this podcast, we explore the development of the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Centre, its future as it plans to open, and the impact it will have on cancer treatment in Oman._________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

Colonel (Retired) David Bennett played an instrumental role as the UK's In-Country Project Officer for the UK's Defence Hub at Duqm. He has worked in various countries across the Middle East and is highly skilled in project and operations management, particularly, in the international setting. In 2020, David swapped Duqm for Roland's Castle and began managing the beautiful Stansted Park Estate. A few weeks ago the AOS team had the pleasure of travelling down to his estate and recording the following podcast. In this podcast, Lydia and David discuss the UK's Defence Hub at Duqm, the challenges faced during this project, and David's fondest memories of Oman. 

Dr Smiti Nathan is an archaeologist who researches ancient communities and people in the Al Dhahirah Governorate in Northern Oman and has been working with the Archaeological Water Histories of Oman Project. She is particularly interested in the choices ancient people made regarding food, water, and other resources. Her recent work also focuses on making archaeological research and findings more accessible to broader audiences. In this podcast, we sat down to discuss the project, archaeology in Oman, and how an archaeologist's work is never done. _________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

Hanan Sultan is currently a master's student at the Royal College of Art studying Jewellery and Metal. She is also a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins with a Bachelor in Jewellery Design. Living between Muscat, Dubai, and London, Hanan is passionate about fine art and fashion and finds that jewellery is the perfect middle ground between the two. Her art and design practices are predominantly centred around cultural identity and the human experience of society in relation to this.  She also incorporates traditional and contemporary materials in designing and making jewellery. In this podcast, we discuss her recent Bachelor's collection which is made out of frankincense. You can find her work on her Instagram account: hananmustafas_________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, we discuss the unique history of the Gulf, Oman’s place within that history, and the upcoming conference at Georgia State University on HM Sultan Qaboos and Oman’s fifty-year renaissance.Professor Allen James Fromherz is a historian specializing in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. From 2007 to 2008 he was a Professor at Qatar University and later joined the faculty of Georgia State University where he currently works. Along with research on the Almohad Empire in twelfth-century North Africa and the history of the Mediterranean, Professor Fromherz specialises in the history of the Arabian Gulf. His most recent book Qatar: A Modern History is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the Gulf. _________Anglo Omani Society accounts:Instagram: angloomanisocietyLinkedin: The Anglo-Omani SocietyTwitter: @AngloOmaniSOCFacebook: The Anglo-Omani Society