Cat Burford is passionate about using adventurous journeys to inspire, challenge stereotypes, and highlight both the urgent realities of climate change and the hidden barriers that still exist for women in polar exploration.
In January 2025, Cat became the 13th woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, fulfilling a childhood dream first sparked by her school geography teacher, Allyson Taylor. Her adventurous spirit and work as an expedition and humanitarian dentist has also taken her across deserts, mountains, and remote corners of the globe.
In spring 2026, Cat led an all-female team on a 21-day self-guided ski expedition across a remote corner of northwest Svalbard. The Girls’ Trip expedition, showed that adventure can be ambitious and serious while also being collaborative, inclusive and joyful. Alongside the expedition, the team worked with scientists to support research into the changing Arctic and women’s health in extreme environments. The expedition was recognised by the Royal Geographical Society with the Gino Watkins Memorial Award.
Cat is now working to bring the Girls’ Trip story to a wider audience through a documentary film. Combining the expedition footage with science, storytelling and the history and experiences of women in the polar world, the film will explore what adventure can look like when collaboration replaces competition and women are able to tell their own stories.
Sessions at Explore Weekend
Saturday
2.10pm: Funding & Fundraising
