Meet the Team

Daniel has worked at RBGE since January 2024, focusing on horticultural practice and skills. He teaches on the Certificate in Practical Horticulture course, the Introduction to Horticulture evening classes, and has contributed to the Nature-Positive Amenity Grasslands course. Prior to working at RBGE, he worked in a range of horticultural roles, including as a sole gardener on a private estate, part of a team at a historic garden, and as a technician at a horticultural college. He has an HNC in Horticulture and an RHS Level 2 Diploma. His areas of interest include native garden plants, specialist pruning, and propagation.

Robyn started as a Learning Technologist here at The Botanics in 2022 before becoming the Senior Learning Technologist the following year. She combines technical expertise in platforms like Moodle and Articulate with creative skills in photography and filmmaking to enhance learner engagement. A Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technologists, Robyn is passionate about accessible, innovative education and continuous professional growth.

Gillian is a Learning Technologist with a strong background in science education and a passion for developing engaging, learner-centered resources. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Gillian spent 14 years teaching Biology, including four years as Curriculum Leader of Science. She has also worked in university settings as a science communicator and learning technologist.  Gillian supports tutors to use our online learning environment, PropaGate Learning, and also has responsibility for creating resources aimed at children and young people.   Her work is driven by a deep commitment to enhancing learning through innovative and effective digital solutions.

James has been a lecturer here since 2024, teaching practical horticulture, plant identification, plant biology, and conservation horticulture on the HN/BSc Horticulture (Plantsmanship) programme. He completed his Honours degree in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at RBGE in 2024 and has previous experience as a horticulturist and nurseryman. His interests include plant health, conservation, and horticultural science, with a particular focus on addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. He is committed to supporting and encouraging the next generation of horticulturists and to promoting the strength and visibility of the UK horticulture sector.

Matthew has worked here at The Botanics since January 2024 as an online horticulture tutor where he teaches on the RHS level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development, developed and runs 'Getting started with Gardening' and has recently been developing the new Nature Positive Amenity Grasslands online course. He received his Honours degree in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2016 and thereafter worked as the sales manager for a specialist nursery, as the grower in a floristry garden, and as the head gardener in large private estates. He is interested in plant-pollinator interactions, sustainable gardening, alpine plants, and kitchen gardening. He also brings his skills in digital media to the role which enables him to create engaging online resources for students.

Erica changed career nearly 20 years ago after studying for the RHS level 2 certificate when she became hooked on gardening. She then studied for a HND in Horticulture with Plantsmanship through Scotland’s Rural College and The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) before embarking on a series of placements. First as the Horticultural Technician for the RBGE education department and then implementing the Fruit Garden in the RBGE demonstration area. On leaving she went on to develop a kitchen garden for local Edinburgh restaurateurs, design Archerfield Walled Garden in East Lothian, and most recently oversaw the National Trust for Scotland gardens, Priorwood and Harmony, in Melrose as head gardener.

She has now returned full circle to become an online tutor for the RHS level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development. This allows her to share her passion and skills to kick start someone else’s horticultural journey. In her spare time she looks after an allotment where she focuses on wildlife friendly gardening and sustainable techniques to grow vegetables and flowers for cutting.

Graham has had a wide and varied career in horticulture; growing and propagating plants in plant nurseries, creating municipal local authority landscapes and historic gardens, and running a successful garden design and maintenance business in Edinburgh. He was previously a member the Arboriculture team at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh after gaining his RHS Level 3 here at the Botanics. He then taught the RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture course before in November 2023 moving on to teaching on the RHS level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development. He also teaches on Garden design short courses here at The Botanics and has most recently been developing the new Nature positive Urban Grasslands online course.