Discovery Talk: Changing the Soundtrack of the Ocean

Name: Discovery Talk: Changing the Soundtrack of the Ocean
Start: 2025-09-11T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-09-11T21:30:00+01:00
Location: 210 North Street,Southville,BS3 1JF,GB

Schedule

Thu Sep 11 2025 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

210 North Street,Southville,BS3 1JF,GB | Bristol, EN

Discover how underwater acoustics can reveal habitats and behaviours, and how sound holds the key to helping ocean environments at risk.
Marine biologist Steve Simpson, Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change at the University of Bristol, will take us on an adventure into the world of underwater acoustics in this fascinating talk. Tuning into the sounds of the ocean reveals amazing habitats and behaviours, but also highlights environments at risk. Discover how sound holds the key to reversing some of these problems/this damage, including the ravages of climate change, overfishing and pollution.
Steve and his team use cutting edge acoustic technology to listen to the ocean and gain new insights into the extraordinary abundance of life beneath the waves. Tens of thousands of species of fish, marine mammals, crustaceans, mussels opening and closing, sea urchins and snapping clams all contribute to an incredible aquatic soundscape. But we are adding to this cheerful cacophony with human-made noise pollution.
Steve and his team have gained worrying insights into the changing health of precious habitats by listening to the ocean’s symphony in places as far flung as Indonesia, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Overfishing, climate change and pollution are all taking a toll on habitats and biodiversity. But all is not lost – through the use of sound, Steve’s team have found ways to encourage the restoration of habitats and measure their recovery. Steve’s message is one of optimism and active hope – through the use of technology, and also art, film and music, we can bring people together to rewrite the soundtrack of the ocean and create a better future.
“Listening to the ocean connects us to marine life, highlights the severity of human impacts, and gives us tools and stories to underpin active hope and build a better future.” Steve Simpson, Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change, University of Bristol
About the speaker
Prof. Steve Simpson teaches marine biology to hundreds of undergraduates and masters students, and leads a thriving research group consisting of 15 postdoc, PhD and Masters students, with active projects in the UK, Maldives, Egypt, Caribbean and Australia. He runs the MSc in Science Communication for a Better Planet at the University of Bristol. He was Series Academic Advisor to the BBC’s Blue Planet II and Netflix’s Our Oceans , and recently featured in the BBC’s Our Changing Planet . He gives public lectures and media interviews on marine biology, global impacts and potential solutions, and remains optimistic that we can work together to restore the oceans for a better future.
Altered State x FUTURES
This event is a collaboration between Altered State and the University of Bristol, and is part of FUTURES, a programme of UKRI-funded activities and events throughout the year that celebrates research across the South West. Find out more about FUTURES here .
The event will be chaired by Miranda Krestovnikoff , TV presenter, diver and author.