I Shared Oceanography Online. Millions Joined the Conversation

Oceanography remains vastly underrepresented in science communication. Take the example of a college freshman who might register for an oceanography class expecting to learn about sharks and whales, only to encounter topics like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). While such subjects may seem less captivating, the key to effective science communication lies not in the topic but in the storytelling. During my Ph.D., I created a climate and ocean science platform that now engages millions. Despite its importance, science communication often takes a backseat in oceanography due to time constraints and lack of training. In this talk, I will explore how simple, engaging storytelling can make ocean science accessible and compelling. I’ll argue that sharing scientific knowledge is not just an option but a responsibility—and that outreach is critical to the relevance and purpose of our research as scientists.