Dr Diva Amon

Dr Diva Amon is a deep-sea biologist, ocean advocate and sought-after keynote speaker, recognised globally for revealing the hidden realities of the deep ocean and explaining why they matter to decision-makers. Her biggest achievement is shaping international policy conversations on ocean protection, including addressing the United Nations and the International Seabed Authority. As a speaker, Diva combines frontline science with policy insight and storytelling, translating one of the planet’s least understood environments into clear, compelling messages for business leaders, governments and global audiences.

Diva grew up in Trinidad, where early exposure to marine environments sparked a lasting curiosity about the ocean. She pursued this passion academically at the University of Southampton, graduating with a first-class Master’s degree in Marine Biology in 2009. During her studies, discovering that more than 95 percent of the deep ocean remained unexplored proved pivotal, setting the direction for her future work. She went on to complete a PhD in Ocean and Earth Science, working between the University of Southampton and the Natural History Museum in London. Her doctoral research focused on chemosynthetic ecosystems such as hydrothermal vents, combining lab-based analysis with extended time at sea aboard research vessels and deep-diving submersibles. These early experiences not only shaped Diva’s scientific expertise, but also her ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence.

Over the course of her career, Diva has built an exceptional portfolio of scientific, advisory and leadership roles. She has participated in more than 15 international research expeditions and has discovered nine new deep-sea species, contributing vital baseline knowledge of fragile ecosystems. Her career includes roles as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the Natural History Museum, London, and Scientific Advisor to the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is also Founder and Director of SpeSeas, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening marine science capacity in the Caribbean. Diva’s work has been recognised with major honours including the 2022 Association for the Science of Limnology and Oceanography Yentsch-Schindler Early Career Award, the 2019 British Science Association Charles Lyell Award for Environmental Sciences, and her selection as a 2020 National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Alongside research, she regularly advises governments and appears in international media, including fronting National Geographic’s Shark Attack 360.

Diva is hired as a keynote speaker because she sits at the intersection of science, policy and communication. Her talks explore deep-sea biodiversity, climate change, human impacts on the ocean, leadership in science and environmental stewardship. These topics are critical as industries and governments face urgent decisions around resources, sustainability and planetary health. Drawing on real expedition experience and global policy engagement, Diva delivers talks that are visually striking, evidence-led and highly engaging. She leaves audiences better informed, motivated and equipped to understand why the deep ocean matters, and why responsible stewardship is no longer optional.