Robert Ballard Keynote Speaker

Robert Ballard Speaker Profile:

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship Bismarck, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier Yorktown (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedys boat, PT 109.

In addition to being a National Geographic Society explorer in residence and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Dr. Ballard is the Founder and President of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. Specializing in deep-ocean archaeology, IFEs goal is to establish this new field of research utilizing evolving technology such as advanced mapping and imaging systems, underwater robotics and manned submersibles.

Dr. Ballard is currently a full-time faculty member at the University of Rhode Islands Graduate School of Oceanography. Previously he spent 30 years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts, where he spearheaded the development of manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles for marine research. While at WHOI he founded the Deep Submergence Laboratory.

In 1996, Dr. Ballard received the National Geographic Society’s prestigious Hubbard Medal for extraordinary accomplishments in coaxing secrets from the world’s oceans and engaging students in the wonder of science. In 2003, he received the National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  He has published 18 books, numerous scientific papers and a dozen articles in National Geographic magazine. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014.  Ballard also has been featured in several National Geographic television programs, including the record-breaking Secrets of the Titanic.  He is a National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence.

For availability and speaker fees, please contact Robert Ballard ’s speaking agent at Chartwell here, or call +1 972 385 1021 for U.S. inquiries or +44 207 293 0864 for international inquiries.