Paul Cooper was born in South London and grew up in Cardiff, Wales. He was educated at the University of Warwick and the UEA, and after graduating he left for Sri Lanka to work as an English teacher.

Paul has worked as an archivist, editor and journalist, and has a PhD in the cultural and literary significance of ruins. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, The BBC, The Atlantic, National Geographic, New Scientist and Discover Magazine.

His first novel, River of Ink, was published in January 2016, and his second novel, All Our Broken Idols was released in May 2020. His upcoming work of nonfiction, Fall of Civilizations: Stories of Greatness and Decline will be released in April 2024.

He writes, produces and hosts the Fall of Civilizations podcast, which has charted in the top ten British podcasts, and gained upwards of 100 million listens since it launched in 2019.

Ali brings a unique perspective to content; having excelled as a creator, brand strategist, and agency professional over his career. His journey from history researcher to influential content strategist has proven invaluable in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Senior Social Media Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, he developed their digital presence through cutting-edge vertical video and influencer strategies that responded to rapidly changing social media trends.

Campaign Manager behind the British Army's mental health campaigns, Ali worked directly with military leadership to revolutionise their approach to mental health, pioneering their expansion onto emerging social platforms and innovative video content.

Ali has built his personal brand as creator of AliThomasGB, amassing millions of views across TikTok and Instagram with engaging content unpacking British history and culture.

Ali represents a rare breed of content professional with proven success across three critical perspectives: as a creator building authentic audience connections, as an in-house strategist driving organisational objectives, and in agency delivering for clients. His cross-disciplinary expertise offers invaluable insights on navigating content creation's challenges and opportunities in today's digital environment.