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Trustee of York Museums Trust included in the Woman’s Hour Power List 2020: Our Planet

DATE: 3 December 2020

A York Museums Trust Trustee has been chosen as one of 2020’s most inspirational women who has had a significant positive contribution to the environment and sustainability of our planet.

Miranda Lowe, a museum scientist as well as Principal Curator of Crustacea & Cnidaria at the National History Museum, is one of 30 women based in the UK on the BBC’s Woman’s Hour Power List 2020: Our Planet.

Miranda, who joined the Board of Trustees earlier this year, was included in the list which reflects the huge range of roles that are essential to environmental work. It also includes Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, the CEO of the RSPB, Beccy Speight and broadcaster Kate Humble. The full list can be seen here: 

Miranda said: “I’m truly honoured to be on the power list amongst some amazing women who care about our planet! This recognition coming from the public makes it even more special.”

Reyahn King, chief executive of York Museums Trust said: “We are thrilled that Miranda has been included in this list of incredible women, it is a fantastic achievement and thoroughly deserved. Although she has only been a Trustee for a few months, she has already made a significant contribution to our future strategic planning in many ways, including our thinking on diversity and inclusion. We look forward to working with her as we commit to reducing the environmental impact we have as a charity and to use our collections to communicate key environmental issues.”

The list is designed to showcase women who have created inspirational initiatives or stories that are bringing about real change at all levels of society – from influencing global policy and changing human behaviour, to inventing eco-friendly products, spearheading scientific research and inspiring a deep love of the natural world.

It said Miranda was “committed to communicating her passion with the next generation through outreach work in schools, talks and appearing on TV and Radio. She is also an effective communicator of the importance of museum fossils and specimens to show us how animals are responding over time to a changing world.”

Everyone on the list is based in the UK and falls into five categories: Decision Makers, Innovators, Communicators, Campaigners and Volunteers.

The list was decided by a judging panel led by journalist Lucy Siegle. More information about the list can be found here: