Dan O’Neill is a trailblazing field biologist, explorer and wildlife filmmaker who has presented for the likes of National Geographic, the BBC and SkyTV. An adventurer who has explored some of the most remote places on Earth, Dan is a dedicated LGBT+ advocate who is passionate about seeing more marginalised groups in front of the camera. With incredible stories from time spent in frozen mountains and the deepest jungles, Dan is much sought-after speaker with charismatic and humorous delivery, who’s talks explore the natural world, inclusivity, resilience and drive.
With a BSc in Zoology and a MA in Wildlife Filmmaking, Dan as a strong academic foundation upon which he has launched his career. In 2020 he became the Chief Executive Officer at the Wilderland Film Festival, and the same year he made the film “Queen of Birds”, a film documenting his journey into rebel-occupied zones of western Mindanao to study the Philippine eagle. In 2021 he directed and presented the BBC show “Snow Leopards: Ghosts in the Snow,” where he travelled through Kyrgystan to learn about snow leopard conservation, the same year he led an expedition to the Rewa River in Fiji. Having hosted popular shows like “Natures Ultimate Survivor” and fronted the National Geographic’s “Zombie Animals”, Dan has become a recognisable face in wildlife filmmaking, bringing the natural world to life. Dan’s work has featured in, amongst others, “The i”, “Broadcast Magazine", "Attitude Magazine,” and “Gay Times”. In 2023, Dan was named Explorer in Residence at the Snow Leopard Trust.
Having faced discrimination from a young age for his sexuality, Dan is a passionate advocate for increased representation in the LGBTQ+ community in STEM, wildlife filmmaking and adventure and he was determined to be a role model. In 2021, he developed and featured in Attitude Magazine’s #SeaOurFuture Campaign, where he teamed up with famous drag-artist Bimini to bring ocean advocacy to the forefront of the LGBTQ+ community conversation. In 2023, Dan hosted “Giants” for Curiosity Stream which was the first time an openly LGBT wildlife presenter hosted a show for a major network. Currently embarking on his Ph.D. into the conservation impacts of armed conflicts at The University of Sheffield, Dan was recently named the Leader of Attitudes 101 Trailblazer’s STEM category.
An experienced speaker, Dan hosted a Wildlife Filmmaking and Field Biology Presentation with the CineMagic Film Festival and was a speaker at the People for Planet Summit in 2023. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dan has been known to speak on adventure, building your confidence, inclusivity and resilience, all interwoven with stories from his incredible adventures to some of the most remote corners of the planet. If you’re looking for a speaker guaranteed to engage and motivate, get in touch today to hire Dan O’Neill.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Dan was an absolute delight to work with. He gave an inspiring talk to our college and university students who were fascinated and intrigued in equal measure. Dan discussed both his route into documentary filmmaking and his experiences on various shoots across the world including some hair raising encounters with a variety if wild animals! I would recommend Dan as a guest speaker and we'd love to add him to future events that we run at Confetti." - Jamie, Head of Media and Games, Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies
"Dan's personal style of storytelling is truly moving and inspiring." - Jayson, Philippine Eagle Foundation
- 2025 – Named Attitude’s 101 Trailblazer’s STEM Category Leader
- 2024 – Senior Mammal Scientist on an expedition in the Mayan Jungles
- 2024 – Fronted National Geographic’s “Zombie Animals”
- 2023 – Explorer in Residence Snow Leopard Trust
- 2023 – Hosted “Giants” for Curiosity Stream
- 2023 – Hosted “Nature’s Ultimate Survivors” on Xumo Play
- 2022 – Co-Created the music for podcast “Climate of Change” with Imogen Heap
- 2022 – Developed and Featured in Attitude Magazine’s #SeaOurFuture campaign
- 2021 – Led a Expedition to the Rewa River
- 2021 – Directed and Presented “Snow Leopards: Ghosts in the Snow”
- 2020 – Made “Queen of Birds” video on YouTube, viewed over 2 Million times
- 2020 – Chief Executive Officer at Wilderland Film Festival
- 2018 - MA Wildlife Filmmaking, University of the West of England
- 2016 - BSc Zoology, The University of Sheffield
- 2015 – Publicity Director at the University of Sheffield Natural History Society
- 2015 – Field Research Biologist at the Iwokrama Research Centre
- 2010 – Publicist at Joshua Files
How to hire Dan O'Neill
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Dan O'Neill for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
