Dr Richard Milburn, Visiting Lecturer, King’s College London
5 Minutes With Dr Richard Milburn
Visiting Lecturer in War Studies, King’s College London, UK Representative of the Pole Pole Foundation, and Founder of Tunza Games
Tell us about your work - what do you do?
I’m a visiting lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London. My PhD was in conservation in war zones, and my research looks at the links between wildlife conservation, security, peacebuilding and economic development, mainly in Africa. Alongside this, I represent the Pole Pole Foundation in the UK, a gorilla conservation charity in Eastern Congo. I’m also the founder of Tunza Games, which uses gamification to get people engaged with environmental issues and to raise money for conservation projects worldwide.
What is behavioural science and “corkscrew thinking”?
Behavioural science explores how people really make decisions and how structuring choices can influence outcomes. The “nudge theory” and the work of Nobel Prize winners helped establish the field. Corkscrew thinking, a term used by Churchill during the Second World War, is about bringing in mavericks and creatives to approach entrenched problems differently. It combines analysing problems from a fresh perspective with generating creative solutions, like Bletchley Park or camouflage in wartime.
Why was this episode called “Let’s Talk Purple Cows”?
The idea comes from marketing thinker Seth Godin. Seeing a field of cows is unremarkable, but if one were purple, it would stand out and grab attention. Applying that thinking means tackling problems in new ways that cut through and spark engagement, instead of following the same path as everyone else.
You’ve said conservation is more of a social issue than an environmental one, what do you mean?
If ecosystems are left alone, they largely manage themselves. The threats come from human pressures - poverty, malnutrition, human–wildlife conflict, or the illegal wildlife trade. For example, in Congo we’ve run a spirulina malnutrition project to help tackle hunger. Without it, families may turn to activities like poaching or cutting down trees,
which damage gorilla habitats. So protecting wildlife requires addressing the underlying social and economic challenges.
Can you tell us about your conservation game?
Yes, it’s called Conservation Crisis. Players manage a national park with a limited budget, balancing decisions like building tourism lodges or hiring rangers. It’s used in schools and designed for ages 7 and up, with 10–11 being the sweet spot. The game teaches financial literacy while showing that protecting wildlife means supporting local communities and tackling issues like corruption. We deliver it through assemblies, workshops and even extended courses.
You also shared some examples of applying this thinking to social value. Can you talk about those?
One idea is linking healthy behaviour to social outcomes - for example, putting a sensor on office staircases so that if staff tap their ID five times a day, the company donates a free school meal. It encourages movement and builds a habit, while tackling child hunger.
Another is around recruitment. Instead of relying on CVs, employers could run practical challenges linked to the job. For instance, candidates might organise a small event for a charity. It’s a way of spotting creativity and problem-solving, especially among people who might be overlooked by traditional processes.
I’ve also suggested “back-to-work bonds.” Employment agencies would fund getting people into jobs themselves, and in return they would keep that person’s income tax for 10 years. It costs government nothing, reduces unemployment, and incentivises agencies to help people into better-paid, sustainable work.
Finally, linking recycling to homelessness is another idea. A levy on disposable cups and bottles could fund a network where homeless people collect the items, turning an environmental action into a social solution.
How can people get in touch with you?
Through King’s College London, where my contact details are available, or via the Tunza Games website.
King’s College London
Tunza Games
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