ABOUT ARZUCAN
Oceans in the Anthropocene
Marine Science
& Conservation
Arzucan holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford (with Distinction) and specializes in the complex issues arising where marine megafauna intersect with human society, illegal wildlife trafficking and human-wildlife conflict, all the way to fisheries interactions and the impacts of tourism on marine life. As Co-Founder and Research Programme Manager of Miyaru - Maldives Shark Research & Conservation is spearheading ambitious new scientific initatives focused on predatory sharks in the Maldives such as the deployments of autonomous deep sea lander systems to study sharks between 200-1500m in collaboration with the NatGeo Exploration Technology Lab. She was also part of a groundbreaking collaboration conducting the first underwater ultrasound assessments of pregnant tiger sharks and identifying a new gestation ground for the species in the Central Indian Ocean.
Expedition, Sailing
& Field Experience
Arzucan holds RYA Day Skipper and Powerboat Handler qualifications, with extensive experience sailing in diverse environments, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean and Arctic. She thrives in the demanding, high-intensity environment at sea and has worn many hats on expeditions around the globe. Whether as consultant aboard commercial vessels like RV Dagon for deep-sea research missions or as expedition leader for Sail Britain in remote regions of Scotland, she is driven by the challenge of extended fieldwork and the opportunity to push the limits of marine research and conservation. For Arzucan, ship time is where critical discoveries are made, and the focused, uninterrupted nature of life at sea accelerates both scientific progress and deeper engagement with the ocean. As the 2021 European Rolex Scholar, she circumnavigated Svalbard on a Janneau SunFast 37 as part of the 3000 nautical mile Barba Arctic Sense expedition to study cetaceans and the impacts of climate change in polar waters.
Scuba Diving
& Technical Expertise
Diving is Arzucan’s most vital tool for research and exploration and she has over 12 years of diving experience from the Arctic to the Equator. She is a highly skilled diver with advanced technical certifications, including SSI Extended Range Trimix CCR Diver (AP Inspiration and rEvo), TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Diver, and HSE Class IV Commercial Diver for science and media projects. She is trained to dive all open-circuit equipment configurations, including twin cylinders, sidemount, and with multiple stages. She also holds qualifications in cave diving and self-reliance and is a certified PADI Divemaster, Reef Rescue Diver, and SDI Ghost Gear Recovery Diver, equipped with lift bag skills for complex research missions underwater. Her operational diving qualifications include GUE Gas Blender (Nitrox and Trimix), TDI Advanced Gas Blender (Trimix) and TDI Equipment O2 Service Technician.
Policy &
Governance
Arzucan blends her scientific expertise with hands-on international policy experience, bridging the gap between research and action. In her role as Carlo Schmidt Fellow of the World Bank’s West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Program, supported by a joint fellowship from the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Academic Exchange Service and the Mercator Foundation for International Affairs, she has previously worked on coastal fisheries and climate resilience projects with multilateral organizations and national governments, representatives of the European Union and embassies in field countries around the world. She was selected as a global talent for the UNLEASH Innovation Lab for the United Nations Development Goals and has attended the UN General Assembly for World Ocean’s Week.
Storytelling, Design &
Science Communication
Born into a family of Turkish immigrants, poets, and musicians, Arzucan's upbringing is steeped in intercultural thinking and a deep love for the arts. These influences fuel her creative approach to field research, where she seamlessly blends empirical science with storytelling, design and art to drive transformative change, ensuring that powerful conservation messages reach and inspire a global audience. As an Ocean Culture Life Storyteller, Scientific Advisor and science communicator for Kogia, a non-profit media library and studio, and Creative Director of Sunfish Studio, a creative impact consultancy, she crafts visually striking content—from digital graphics to infographics—that makes complex scientific ideas accessible and compelling. Her portfolio includes collaborations with renowned clients such as National Geographic, Ocean Culture Life. Tekdeep Asia, and Miyaru - Maldives Shark Research & Conservation.
Public Speaking,
Panels & Outreach Events
Arzucan has a wealth of public speaking experience, sharing her expertise and passion for marine conservation with diverse audiences across global events, panels, university lectures and grassroots organizations. She has spoken at prestigious platforms such as the International Marine Conservation Congress, the Explorers Club, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, the Asia Society, and the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers and TedX at the London School of Economics, where her presentations blend cutting-edge science with compelling storytelling. Additionally, she engages with local communities, delivering talks to local councils and schools, inspiring the next generation to connect with and protect the oceans. Arzucan’s dynamic speaking style, rooted in real-world experience, makes her a sought-after voice on conservation and scientific exploration.
Publications
Identification of the first gestational ground for tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the Central Indian Ocean using a high-definition submersible ultrasound
Book Chapter
The Ocean Speaks: a photographic journey of discovery and hope
Academic Paper
Fellowships / Academic Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) is the United Kingdom's learned society and professional body for geography, founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences. Today, it is the leading centre for geographers and geographical learning.
Fellow of the Zoological Society London
Founded in 1826 the Zoological Society is the world’s oldest international conservation charity. Devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats it brings together a distinguished network of scientists in the fields of biology, zoology and the life sciences.
Member of the British Ecological Society
The British Ecological Society is a learned society in the field of ecology that was founded in 1913. It is the oldest ecological society in the world. The Society's original objective was "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense" and this remains the central theme guiding its activities today.
Associate of the Linnean Society
Founded in 1788, Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. As it moves into its third century the Society provides a continuous forum for the discussion and advancement of the life sciences. It was at a meeting of the Society in 1858 that papers from Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace outlining the theory of evolution by natural selection were first presented.
Member of the Marine Social Science Network
Launched at the 2nd Society and the Sea Conference, the Marine Social Science Network brings together an international and interdisciplinary community of researchers, practitioners, policy makers and other interested stakeholders to further the discussions around better connecting marine social sciences with existing natural and physical science expertise, supporting the effective marine and coastal management and governance globally.