Session
This panel will highlight the exciting and important work done in marine exploration and conservation. Our panellists have pushed the boundaries, whether it be Emily who has dived to the Titanic wreck, Lisa who has set records sailing solo to Antarctica, or Anita who has advocated for the ongoing protection of our oceans. Join us for an immersive session that will inspire and educate.
Emily Jateff leads the Australian National Maritime Museum's Ocean Futures pillar and associated ten-year program in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. Her remit includes partnerships, collections and content for ocean sciences, marine technologies, climate change and sustainability. She is also a maritime archaeologist.
Emily Jateff first fell in love with archaeology while down a Hellenistic-era well in Crete, and realising that people did this underwater, learned to dive, and had a great time completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in anthropology/maritime archaeology. She has since managed laboratories, curated permanent, temporary and travelling exhibitions, taught students, written articles, helped make short films and conducted fieldwork on a variety of sites, including four dives to RMS Titanic in a Mir submersible and time spent searching for shipwrecks on board RV Investigator.
Lisa Blair is a record-breaking sailor who, in 2017, became the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica with one stop, overcoming a dramatic dismasting at sea. She went on to lead the first all-female team in 16 years in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, set two solo, non-stop, unassisted records around Australia in 2018, and in 2019 became part of the first double-handed female team to finish the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race. Her yacht, Climate Action Now, reflects her commitment to sustainability and inspiring others to take action.
Anita is a passionate, purpose-driven and outcome-focused eco-preneur, communicator and connector.
She is the Founder and Director of the Ocean Lovers Festival, Australia's largest cultural and science celebration for the ocean. Since its launch in 2019 at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, the Festival has welcomed over 225,000 people across 5 events, mostly free with the purpose of inspiring hope, sparking curiosity and driving action for our blue planet.
The unique hybrid not-for-profit model she has created connects communities with scientists, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and ocean experts through a dynamic mix of live experiences, interactive displays, film, music and ideas. It's a joyful and solutions-focused showcase of marine science, cutting-edge tech, circular economy success stories, Indigenous knowledge, conservation leadership and climate innovations.
