About Dr Kim Walker
I draw upon my research skills to write engaging accounts of the ways in which plants have shaped human history. I am also a consultant for TV and Film advising and supplying all things botanical.
My work focuses on medicinal plants and I have recently worked with including coca/cocaine (Erythroxylum spp.), cinchona/quinine (Cinchona spp.) and the essential oils of Eucalyptus spp.
I am currently an Honorary Research Fellow at Royal Holloway and consultant at the Economic Botany Collection and the Antonelli Lab at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
See more about my foraging & herbal medicine work at www.handmadeapothecary.co.uk
As a working-class lass, I invite contact from others with a similar background who wish to move into historical research and academia. Cups of tea, advice and writing help are yours.
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Betonica School of Herbal Medicine
Director, teacher of botany, materia medica and writing skills.
2019-present
Economic Botany Collection, Kew Gardens | Antonelli Lab Associate
Researching the history of medicinal plant products: particularly coca (Erythroxylon spp.) Eucalyptus, & Fever Tree (Cinchona spp.)
2014-present
Honorary Research Associate
Royal Holloway, University of London
2023-present
Handmade Apothecary
Business owner, workshop lead, consultant
2014 - Present
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2023 PhD | Royal Holloway University of London & Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Biocultural collections and networks of knowledge exchange in the 19th century: the quest for quinine. AHRC TECHNE NPIF funded.
2014 MSc Herbal Medicine (Research) - Distinction
University of Westminster
Dissertation: History of the development of Eucalyptus spp. as a medicine 19th Century.
2009-2012 BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine 2:1
Dissertation: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) Trade Policy Review.
Supervisors: Felix Driver (RHUL) & Mark Nesbitt (RBG, Kew)
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Awards
2020 Fortnum & Mason - Winner Debut Drink Book
2017 AHRC TECNHE - National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) PhD Scholarship
2017 Martin Fellowship - Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
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I am a committee member for:
British Society for the History of Pharmacy
Herbal History Research Network
I am on the council for the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
