Two Ocean Conferences: Dr. Ayla Hodgson's Journey from Scotland to South Africa

Attending two Ocean Conferences is not a normal marine biology thing to do. Still, when Dr. Isla Hodgson had the chance to go to South Africa to meet up with her Save our Seas team, present at the International Marine Conservation Congress, AND meet up with colleagues at the European Elasmobranch Society conference in Greece, she took it.

In this exciting episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin sits down with Dr. Ayla Hodgson, a marine social scientist and science communicator for the Save Our Seas Foundation. Join us as we dive into the whirlwind experience of attending two major international conferences back-to-back: the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) in Cape Town, South Africa, and the European Elasmobranch Society (EAS) meeting in Greece.

Ayla shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of participating in these conferences, including her roles in presenting research, networking with fellow scientists, and promoting shark conservation. We discuss the importance of science communication in marine conservation and how conferences serve as a platform for collaboration and inspiration.

Whether you're a seasoned conference-goer or new to the marine science community, this episode offers valuable tips on navigating the social dynamics of conferences, the significance of human dimensions in marine conservation, and the uplifting stories that emerge from these gatherings.

Tune in to learn more about Ayla's work, her podcast "World of Sharks," and the exciting projects happening at the Save Our Seas Foundation. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!