By Laura Nannini, University of Liverpool
All opinions are those of their respective author, and are not indicative of the stance of EUPS.
Jane Goodall stands as one of the most influential figures in modern science and conservation.
She revolutionised our understanding of chimpanzees and, in doing so, redefined the relationship between humans and animals. As a pioneer in primatology, her work not only transformed our understanding of animal behaviour but also inspired generations of people on a global scale to advocate for environmental protection and advocacy. Goodall’s life exemplifies how curiosity, compassion, and perseverance can drive meaningful change.
Early Life and Inspiration
Jane Goodall was born in London in 1934 and raised in Bournemouth, with her fascination with animals soon taking hold in her early childhood (Jane, 2019). Starting small, she observed birds and sketched insects in her garden, displaying the patience and curiosity that would later define her scientific work for years to come (Jane, 2019). Vanne Goodall, her mother, played a crucial role in developing and supporting her unconventional interests. Instead of discouraging her ambitions, as was common for women in post-war Britain, she chose to encourage them, allowing Jane Goodall’s curiosity to flourish deeper (Collins, 2015).
Goodall’s passion for animals was further solidified by European literature and ideas, particularly novels such as Tarzan of the Apes and Dr Dolittle stories, which idealised exploration, adventure, and empathy towards animals (Express Web Desk, 2025).
Although never having attended university due to financial limitations, a chance opportunity to visit a friend in Kenya in 1957 led her to a life-changing meeting with paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey (Caruso, 2025). This chance meeting kick-started her childhood dream into a reality.
Groundbreaking Work with Chimpanzees
Goodall arrived in what is now Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, in 1960. With little more than field notebooks and binoculars, she immersed herself in the chimpanzees’ world and eventually gained the trust of a male chimpanzee, David Greybeard (Jane, 2019). Her calming nature and empathetic approach, treating each chimpanzee as an individual by giving them each unique names, rather than a test project and a mere number, was revolutionary in an era when European science emphasised detachment and objectivity (Nater, 2025)
What she discovered in Tanzania was nothing short of fascinating. She documented chimpanzees making and using tools, engaging in complex social interactions, and displaying such emotional depth that was once considered uniquely human traits (Mayor, 2025).
As a young British woman conducting field research alone in East Africa during the 1960s, Goodall faced intense scepticism from the predominantly male scientific establishment in Europe and the UK (Nater, 2025). Her work, discoveries, and undeniable results, however, spoke for themselves and soon earned her the global respect she deserved. Against the odds, she gained a place at the University of Cambridge, where she became one of the few researchers to receive a PhD with no prior degree (Britannica, 2018).
Conservation and Advocacy
As time passed, Goodall branched her focus from research to advocacy. With the effects of climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, and poaching, she witnessed first-hand the rapid loss of chimpanzee habitats and communities (Appleton, 2022). From here, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in 1977. From its main site in the United States to its active branches across Europe, including the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland, the institute became a global force in wildlife protection and education (Appleton, 2022)
Two decades later, she founded Roots & Shoots in 1991 in Tanzania, a youth-led initiative that engages students in sustainability, animal welfare, and community service. Now also a thriving institution across Europe and the UK, the programme reflects Goodall’s beliefs that meaningful conservation begins with education and empowerment (Appleton, 2022)
Her campaign emphasises that conservation is not limited to Africa or chimpanzee communities; it begins at home, in Europe’s cities, farms and classrooms.
Impact on Science and Society
Jane Goodall’s scientific and cultural impact is undeniable. Her empathetic appraoch to primatology reshaped scientific approaches to animal behaviour, inspiring a generation of European scientists to consider ethical responsibility alongside scientific inquiry (Nater, 2025)
Throughout her life, her global influence has been recognised with numerous honours and awards, including being name Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), receiving the Templeton Prizr, and being appointed a UN Messenger of Peace, just to name a few(National Geographic, 2022)). Her speeches at institutions like the Royal Geographical Society and the European Parliament continue to inspire scientists, policymakers, and citizens alike to pursue environmental justice (World, 2025).
Legacy and Continuing Influence
Although we have had to say goodbye to this extraordinary woman, her legacy lives on through the ongoing work of the Jane Goodall Institute, the Roots & Shoots program, and countless European conservation projects inspired by her philosophy.
Her compassionate, science-driven worldview will continue to shape research, activism, and education. Goodall’s influence will continue to echo in projects that unite scientific insight with moral conviction. Her life’s work stands as proof that science and compassion are not opposites, but partners in the fight to save life on Earth. Rest in Peace, Jane Goodall. Your legacy will endure, and you will be deeply missed.
