Andrew Chater is a contemporary educator who creates inspiring journeys through past and present cultures.

He is a multi award-winning writer, producer, director and presenter of historical documentaries, specializing in broadcast and online humanities resources for schools and colleges. He was the creator of Timelines TV, a historical online resource for British schools, and is currently the creative director of Bookpackers, a US-based travel / humanities concept.

He is an adjunct Professor of the Practice in the Faculty of English at the University of Southern California.

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A graduate of Cambridge University, Andrew joined the BBC in 1988, where he worked until leaving in 1996 to set up his own independent production company, Lodestar Productions.  He balanced his work at Lodestar with freelance commissions for London-based indies Wall to Wall, Change Productions, October Films, and Nutopia. 

In 2011, Andrew relocated to Los Angeles with his wife Louise, a film executive.  They are parents to Flo and Ollie, and share their lives with a characterful hairball called Alfie. 

Bio pics
First BAFTA - with Anne Brogan at the Royal Albert Hall

First BAFTA - with Anne Brogan at the Royal Albert Hall

'Who Do You Think You Are?', Saint-Raphãel, France

'Who Do You Think You Are?', Saint-Raphãel, France

Exeter Cathedral, with the team from NRG Digital

Exeter Cathedral, with the team from NRG Digital

With USC student ‘bookpackers’, Grand Isle, Louisiana

With USC student ‘bookpackers’, Grand Isle, Louisiana

Shooting at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire

Shooting at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire

Damp on location in Wales, directing 'Julius Caesar and the Druids'

Damp on location in Wales, directing 'Julius Caesar and the Druids'

Presenting awards at a documentary film festival in Jiayuguan, China

Presenting awards at a documentary film festival in Jiayuguan, China

Directing 'Pilate' in Morocco

Directing 'Pilate' in Morocco

Shooting a promo for 'Bookpackers'

Shooting a promo for 'Bookpackers'

Andrew, Ollie, Flo and Louise

Andrew, Ollie, Flo and Louise

Alfie

Alfie

Teaching USC students in Jackson Square, New Orleans

Teaching USC students in Jackson Square, New Orleans

Andrew is the recipient of six BAFTA and two Royal Television Society Awards, with a further seven nominations.

AWARDS WON

BAFTA   (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)

  • 2010 Best Learning Resource - 'Timelines.tv: Medicine through Time'
  • 2006 Best Educational Programme - 'Timelines: Empire'
  • 2002 Best Educational Programme - 'Britain 1906-1918 – A History in Photographs'
  • 1997 Best Educational Programme - 'History File: Nazi Germany'
  • 1996 Best Children’s Programme - 'Shakespeare Shorts: Romeo & Juliet'
  • 1996 Best Educational Programme - 'Shakespeare Shorts: Romeo & Juliet'

RTS   (Royal Television Society)

  • 2000 Best Educational Programme - 'History File: The Cold War – U2 and the Arms Race'
  • 1996 Best Educational Programme - 'Shakespeare Shorts: Romeo & Juliet'

NOMINATIONS

BAFTA

  • 2016 Best Primary Learning Resource - 'An Introduction to Exeter Cathedral'
  • 2005 Best Educational Programme - 'Timelines – 1066-1660'
  • 2004 Best Educational Programme - 'Seven Journeys in the American West'
  • 2002 Best Educational Programme - 'Curriculum Bites: Interpretations'

RTS

  • 2005 Best Educational Programme - 'Timelines: 1066-1660'
  • 2004 Best Educational Programme - 'Seven Journeys in the American West'
  • 2001 Best Educational Programme - 'American Voices: Immigrant America'