Author

Having written articles for various magazines, Russell recently co-authored Ocean Endangered; a book that combines up-to-date marine science with a look at the state of our ocean, empowering the reader to take action for a better planet. Having worked as a science consultant on a number of children’s books, Russell is turning his hand to writing for various age groups with upcoming books on Antarctic science, octopuses, the deep sea and, his particular specialism, plankton!

Having obtained his PhD in ocean science from the University of Bath, Russell’s specialism is in plankton; microscopic organisms that inhabit the world’s waterways. Prior to this, he obtained a first-class Master degree in Oceanography from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton and worked as a survey oceanographer for a number of years. His research has taken him all over the world from the Southern Ocean with the British Antarctic Survey up to the Gulf of Bothnia in Northern Sweden. Running education projects at Cambridge University, Russell is now an Associate Lecturer in Ocean Science at University of Exeter and also lectures in marine science communication on Falmouth University’s Marine & Natural History Photography degree.

Russell has a passion for education and in particular, teaching others about the importance of our ocean. This led Russell to set up Incredible Oceans; an ocean education non-profit that delivers impactful and fun presentations at school, festivals and conferences across the world. He has campaigned and is active in getting ocean education more prominently into the National Curriculum, helping to develop Brazil’s new ocean literacy curriculum . He is a founder member of the EU4Ocean collective and has served on the board of directors for the European Marine Science Educators’ Association (EMSEA). Most recently, Incredible Oceans become a UNESCO-recognised ocean education initiative, joining their prestigious Blue Thread network.

Working with the National College, Russell has scripted and filmed a series of teacher training videos designed to help teachers bring the ocean into their classroom. Clips of these videos have garnered over 180,000 views across Instagram and TikTok.

Having gone through the education system with ADHD (it’s not a disorder – I’m just allergic to boring things!), Russell is keen to share his experiences to help others understand how to work with their neurodivergence. Crucially, Russell sees his ADHD as a super-power, allowing him to weave disparate threads together and have a unique take on issues all the while maintaining a vibrant pace and avoiding “boring”.

As a long-time fan of punk rock, Russell has played guitar and “sang” in a number of bands over the years; with guitar in hand and suitcase in the other, his band toured across Europe four times, using only public transport. Russell harnesses the high-energy, anti-establishment spirit of punk in his live shows.

Living in Cornwall, Russell spends as much time as possible at the coast, be it swimming, snorkelling, rock-pooling or beach cleaning. As part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Big British Beach Clean, Russell organised Brighton’s ‘Strip The Beach’; the world’s largest naked beach clean.