Conservation and Exploration

Arzucan “Zuzu” Askin is an interdisciplinary conservation scientist, sailor, CCR diver and HSE Class IV commercial diver specializing in research and media projects focused on the intersection where human society meets the ocean.

Past projects have taken her across the globe, from the monitoring of coral reef health in the waters of Hong Kong, the tracking of illegal fishing activities in Malaysia, ghost gear removal from wrecks in Turkey and shark research in the Maldives all the way to acoustic monitoring of blue whales in uncharted Arctic waters.

A United World College alumna, she was selected as a 2019 UNLEASH Innovation Lab Talent for SDG 13 (Climate Action) and has been shortlisted as one of the 12 “Women and the Ocean Changemakers” by the Economist Group’s World Ocean Summit 2020. In 2021 she was awarded the European Rolex Scholarship.

Arzucan is Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG) and holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford. Supported by National Geographic she currently works on establishing new collaborative shark research initiatives in the Maldives with the Miyaru Programme. She also serves as the Scientific Advisor of Kogia, a nonprofit free media library and production studio dedicated to protecting marine life.

Driven by a dedication to innovation and impact, Arzucan’s focus is on developing transformative solutions for the protection of marine wildlife and the livelihoods that depend on these animals. She brings together science and storytelling to catalyse change and inspire audiences to connect with marine life from the Equator to the Arctic.