Coral Woman and Q&A with special guest Uma Mani

Join us for a film screening of “Coral Woman” with Q&A with special guest Uma Mani. This is a filmmaker’s journey with Uma, an artist who paints coral reefs, a certified scuba diver, exploring the underwater world & the threat to coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, India. Born in a traditional family in Tamil Nadu, 53 year old Uma, a homemaker, has been trying to bring attention to this alarming environmental issue through her paintings. It is, in fact, these corals that inspired Uma to learn how to swim, dive & paint in her 50s. Coral Woman is about Uma’s efforts to address the threat to coral reefs from bleaching, industrial pollution and climate change. The screening will take place on Tuesday 28th December at 1300 GMT, followed by a Q&A with Uma Mani! Please register below for the link and occasional updates and join us for this very special event.


Two February Seminars: Sand Dunes of India and Antarctic Seafloor Biodiversity

In February, am pleased to invite you to two webinars as part of the Seabed Habitats seminar series next month!

On Tuesday 9th February at 13.00 GMT, Prof. M Srinivasan, will be giving a talk entitled “Sand Dunes of East Coast of India.” Prof. Srinivasan is the Professor, Director and Dean of the Centre for Advanced Study of Marine Biology at Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu, India. The Centre specialises in research on mangroves and is a reputed marine institute in India, actively engaged in teaching, research and extension activities in marine sciences. I had the opportunity to visit the centre and meet Prof. Srinivasan when my family and I visited the Mangroves of Pichavaram whilst touring in Tamil Nadu.

Where the wild things are- Antarctic seafloor biodiversity

From Tamil Nadu to Antarctica, on February 23rd 1300 GMT, Dr Huw Griffiths of the British Antarctic Survey will be giving a talk about “ Where the wild things are- Antarctic seafloor biodiversity.” Dr Huw Griffiths is a marine biogeographer with an interest in the Polar Regions and a passionate believer in science communication and making science more accessible to the public, policy makers and government. In 2020, Dr Huw Griffiths was awarded Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Medal for Education and Communication.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A and discussion after the event!

So please sign up here and hope to see you next month!