Dr. Robert Ballard: Ocean Sustainability

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the TITANIC, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship BISMARCK, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier YORKTOWN (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT-109. While those discoveries have captured the imagination of the […]

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Hartford, Connecticut, United States
  • **Fee range: $20,001 - $35,000

Keynote Topics

Living the Dream

Dr. Robert Ballard relates his experiences, successes and failures, in an energetic presentation that highlights career first such as the discovery of the RMS Titanic, WWII battleships such as the Yorktown and PT-109, and ancient Roman shipwreck in the Black Sea.

He focuses on the changes in technology from manned submersibles to underwater robotic vehicles, and he discusses educational opportunities for alternative education and after school programs via “telepresence” connecting students directly to the scientists on-board ship during expeditions.

From perfectly preserved wooden ships lying on the bottom of the Black Sea, to historically significant ships like the Titanic and PT-109, explorer Robert Ballard’s discoveries add to the knowledge of our past.

In this visually gripping presentation, explorer speaker Robert Ballard shares his passion for the last great uncharted territory.

Working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ballard uses cutting-edge science and technology to explore the ocean’s depths in order to better understand and preserve our waters for the generations that follow.

The Personal Account of How the Titanic Was Found and a Look into the Future

Dr. Robert Ballard shares his incredible story of the significant discovery of the Titanic, the advanced technology he used for this world famous expedition and what’s the future holds for deep sea exploration.

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the TITANIC, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship BISMARCK, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier YORKTOWN (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT-109. While those discoveries have captured the imagination of the […]

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the TITANIC, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship BISMARCK, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier YORKTOWN (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT-109.

While those discoveries have captured the imagination of the public, Dr. Ballard believes his most important discoveries were of hydrothermal vents and “black smokers” in the Galapagos Rift and East Pacific Rise in 1977 and 1979 along with their exotic life forms living off the energy of the Earth through a process now called chemosynthesis.

In 2008, Dr. Robert Ballard founded the Ocean Exploration Trust and acquired his present ship of exploration, EV Nautilus, which will begin a voyage around the world in 2013 with his Corps of Exploration. In addition, Dr. Ballard is a National Geographic Society Explorer-In-Residence and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. He is also a Senior Scientist Emeritus in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Dr. Robert Ballard was born June 30, 1942, in Wichita, KS but moved to California at a very young age and grew up exploring the shore in San Diego. Dr. Ballard has a Ph.D. in marine geology and geophysics from the University of Rhode Island.

He spent 30 years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where he helped develop telecommunications technology to create “tele-presence” for his education initiative, which allows hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren to accompany him from afar on undersea explorations around the globe each year.

In 2001, Dr. Robert Ballard returned to the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island where he is presently a tenured Professor of Oceanography and Director of the Center for Ocean Exploration and Archaeological Oceanography.

Dr. Robert Ballard | Ocean Sustainability

Dr. Ballard has 21 honorary degrees and six military awards. He was also a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving in the Navy from 1967 to 1997. He received the National Geographic Society’s prestigious Hubbard Medal in 1996 for “extraordinary accomplishments in coaxing secrets from the world’s oceans and engaging students in the wonder of science

His discoveries also include sunken remains of ships along ancient trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea; two ancient Phoenician ships off Israel, the oldest shipwrecks ever found in deep water; and four 1,500-year-old wooden ships, one almost perfectly preserved in the Black Sea. Dr. Ballard’s Black Sea project seeks evidence of a great flood that may have struck the region thousands of years ago.

Dr. Robert Ballard has published numerous books, scientific papers, and a dozen articles in National Geographic magazine. He has also been featured in several National Geographic television programs, including the record-breaking “Secrets of the Titanic” and a more recent 5-part mini-series, “Alien Deep with Bob Ballard.” His 1997 best-selling book, Lost Liners, tells the story of the great transatlantic liners through memorable wrecks he has visited. Dr. Ballard was also a special advisor on Steven Spielberg’s futuristic Sea Quest, DSV television show.

An explorer, discoverer and historian, Dr. Ballard’s fascinating journeys can teach us a great deal about our past, and they have encouraged others to take tremendous strides in the survey of the undiscovered mysteries of the deep sea.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (67)
  • (6)
Sara Canaday

Sara Canaday is a distinguished figure in the realm of leadership development, renowned for her insightful guidance and practical strategies aimed at empowering professionals to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. As a seasoned speaker, author, and thought leader, Sara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her engagements, inspiring audiences to […]

  • Travels from: Austin, TX
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (30)
Nidhi Tewari

Nidhi Tewari is a dynamic and influential figure in the realm of workplace culture and wellbeing. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and a decade-long immersion in therapy, she stands at the intersection of mental health advocacy and organizational development. Nidhi brings a wealth of experience garnered from her specialized work with high-performing leaders, […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Culture Speakers
  • (30)
Jim Davidson

Jim Davidson is a resilience expert who has survived not just one epic mountain disaster, but two. From his real-world survival experiences, he distills hard-won lessons about forging the resilience to overcome change, challenge, and uncertainty. Jim Davidson | Adventure Motivation While climbing Mount Everest, Jim and his team survived massive earthquakes and avalanches on […]

  • Travels from: Fort Collins, CO
  • Adventure Speakers
  • (24)
Se-ah-dom

Se-ah-dom Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock, Nez Perce and Yakama) brings deep experience in community organizing for racial and social justice work across the nation. Prior to joining Seeding Justice, Se-ah-dom served as the Sovereignty Program Director at Western States Center where she was the coalition convener of Tribal History: Shared History (Senate Bill 13, 2017) in Oregon, which established and funded […]

  • Travels from: Gresham, OR
  • Native Americans
  • (30)
Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers is the visionary force behind Hello Seven, a thriving enterprise dedicated to empowering women to redefine their relationship with money. As the founder of this multi-million dollar company, Rachel has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. Her accolades extend beyond the business world, as she has […]

  • Travels from: Greensboro, NC
  • Business Speakers
  • (49)
  • (1)
Sir Brian May

Sir Brian May, CBE, PhD, FRAS, stands as a towering figure in both the realms of music and science. As a founding member of the legendary rock band Queen, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry as a virtuoso guitarist, songwriter, producer, and performer. Beyond his musical achievements, Sir Brian May holds […]

  • Travels from: London, UK
  • Celebrity Speakers
  • (16)
Aerial Bartenders

Aerial bartenders bring a unique and captivating twist to event entertainment by serving drinks while suspended in the air. Combining acrobatics, elegance, and mixology, these performers gracefully pour beverages from aerial hoops, silks, or other aerial apparatus, adding a touch of spectacle to any gathering. Perfect for upscale events, weddings, and corporate functions, aerial bartenders […]

  • Travels from: Nationwide
  • Aerial Performers
  • (28)
Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for her dynamic presence both on and off the screen. With a career spanning over three decades, Milano has captivated audiences worldwide through her diverse acting roles and engaging persona. Beyond her impressive acting credentials, she has established herself as a sought-after event host, […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Celebrity Emcees
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel