On October 16, the Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to present the third talk in its Big Blue Ideas series, Is The Deep Sea a Wasteland or Wonderland? Join astrophysicist and science communicator Dr Kirsten Banks, DEEP board member Sean Wolpert, and deep-sea ecologist Dr Todd Bond for an honest and open discussion into the mysterious ecosystem which lies at the depths of our oceans.
The panel will examine the deep sea as a world of extraordinary life and mysteries, drawing parallels with space while considering the urgent questions raised by deep sea mining and imagining a future where humans could live underwater.
Big Blue Ideas is a new series from the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation about the future of our ocean. Forget doom and gloom—these are not your typical climate conversations. From AI and conservation tech to cultural storytelling and deep-sea discovery, these talks put you in a room with innovators, scientists, artists, and disruptors.
This event begins at 6:30pm on October 16 and will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with tickets starting from just $25. Following the talk, the conversation continues at our Sea Citizens After Party, a boardwalk gathering with drinks, hands-on activities, and the chance to connect directly with speakers and fellow ocean advocates.
For more information about Big Blue Ideas or to book tickets, please visit: www.sea.museum/big-blue-ideas
For more information about the event’s speakers, please see bios following.
Dr Kirsten Banks is an astrophysicist, Wiradjuri woman, and science communicator dedicated to making the universe accessible and inspiring for all. With a PhD in astrophysics, Kirsten blends cutting-edge research with Indigenous astronomical knowledge, sharing a unique perspective on the cosmos. Her mission is to spark curiosity, celebrate diversity in science, and break down complex ideas into engaging stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. Through public talks, media, and education, she champions evidence-based science, combats misinformation, and highlights the richness of Indigenous sky traditions, ensuring everyone can see themselves reflected in the stars.
Sean Wolpert is Board Member of DEEP, an ocean technology and exploration company pioneering permanent human presence under the sea. At DEEP he is leading the development of the Sentinel modular underwater habitats, designed to enable scientists to live, work and explore at depths of around 200 metres for up to 28 days. Sean brings more than 15 years of experience in global investment and finance, having served as Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager across macro, multi-asset and discretionary funds. He now applies this expertise to advancing subsea research infrastructure, data systems and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Dr Todd Bond is the Deputy Director of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre at The University of Western Australia. A marine ecologist with over 15 years of experience, his research focuses on the ecology of fishes, particularly in hadal and abyssal environments. He is an expert in underwater video technology and deep-sea ecology, investigating the distribution of organisms across vast oceanic regions, including within Australia's marine parks. Dr. Bond is a passionate communicator and advocate for ocean stewardship and is a WA Science Ambassador. His research is awarded at international conferences and saw him receive a Premier’s Science Award in 2020.
Emily Jateff is the Senior Curator, Ocean Futures at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Her remit is partnerships, collections and content for ocean sciences, marine technologies, climate change and sustainability.
Emily leads the ten-year program in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.
ENDS
For images, please see here: Deep Sea
To attend or for further information please contact:
For the Museum
Alex Gonzalez m: 0401 545 778 e: [email protected]
For Minderoo Foundation
Alex Massey m: 0455 351 848 e: [email protected]