Name: One Ocean 2026: Ocean Health and Human Health
Start: 2026-06-20T15:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-20T16:00:00+00:00
Location: One Ocean 2026: Ocean Health and Human Health

Talks & Tours

One Ocean 2026: Ocean Health and Human Health

Entry

Free entry, booking advised

Date

Sat 20 Jun 2026

Time

3–4pm

Location

Foyle Rooms, Turner Contemporary

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How does the health of our ocean affect the health of our community? This interdisciplinary discussion looks at the vital connections between ocean ecosystems and human wellbeing. From pollution and biodiversity loss to mental and physical health, panelists consider both local and global perspectives on why a healthy ocean is essential for life on Earth.

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About the Panel

Dr Nick Hardman-Mountford FMBA—Ocean leader and policy specialist

Nick is an ocean leader, policy specialist, marine scientist and former diplomat working at the interface of ocean, climate and nature. He is the Director of Development at Nekton Foundation, supporting the rapid acceleration of marine species discovery through the Ocean Census to address the vast data gap needed to underpin global ocean protection efforts – we have still only discovered around 10% of marine life! He is also the founder of re:Blue Consulting and previously led the Blue Climate team at Conservation International, bringing the power of nature to building climate resilience for coastal communities. Prior to this, he was Head of Ocean and Natural Resources at the Commonwealth Secretariat, where he supported 56 member governments and pioneered the flagship Commonwealth Blue Charter and Sustainable Energy Programmes. Nick has also held the roles of Principal Marine Scientist at Australia’s national research agency, CSIRO, and board member of the UK National Centre for Earth Observation. He holds an Adjunct Professorial Fellowship at the University of Western Australia and is a fellow of the Marine Biological Association of the UK.

Andy Hughes—Artist and Surfers Against Sewage collaborator

Andy Hughes’ 35-year career explores the intersection of art, environmental science and plastic politics. He is widely recognised for his seminal monograph Dominant Wave Theory, regarded as a pioneering work combining photography of marine debris with scientific commentary. The book features contributions from leading voices including Dr Richard Thompson OBE FRS, the marine biologist widely credited with popularising the term ‘microplastics’.
Hughes was an invited participant in Gyre: The Plastic Ocean Expedition in Alaska — an early art-and-science initiative dedicated to documenting marine plastic pollution — involving collaborators from the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic.
From becoming the first artist-in-residence at Tate St Ives to undertaking the Gapado Artist Residency in South Korea, and leading community workshops across the Western Indian Ocean, Hughes has consistently bridged creative practice and environmental activism. He has collaborated with institutions including the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Plastic Free Jeju and Plastic Free Penzance. He was also an early supporter and member of Surfers Against Sewage, contributing to the organisation over many years.

Dr. Randa Kachef— Lecturer in Environmental Geography at Birkbeck University

Dr. Randa L. Kachef is a Lecturer in Environmental Geography at Birkbeck and an urban waste and sustainability expert whose work sits at the intersection of infrastructure, policy and environmental health. With a particular focus on litter and sewage, her research examines how urban systems contribute to, and can help address, the contamination of our waterways and oceans. Her broader work extends to the policy levers needed to drive systemic change. An experienced communicator with a background in corporate marketing, she is a frequent consultant and commentator on topics where science and policy meet — including the human and ecological consequences of what we put into our water.

Janice Li (Moderator)—Curator, Design Museum

Janice Li is a London-based curator and lecturer, currently serving as Head of Curatorial Programme of Future Observatory at the Design Museum. Her practice explores the intersections of art, design, history, and science, through the lens of material culture, ecology, and intersectionality, bridging the gap between complex research and public discourse to centre historically marginalised narratives.
Her recent exhibitions include Thirst: In Search of Freshwater (2025 - 2026) and The Cult of Beauty (2023 - 2024) at Wellcome Collection. Previously, she held roles at the Victoria & Albert Museum, contributing to V&A East, Fashioned from Nature (2018 - 2019) and the Photography Centre. Internationally, she has realised exhibitions, commissions and research for CCCB Barcelona, MoMu Antwerp, London Design Biennale, and Milan Design Week, among others. She lectures widely on interdisciplinary curatorial practice and research for art and design, from the Royal College of Art, UAL, to Columbia University.

One Ocean 2026 is a weekend of free talks, workshops and screenings on art, adaptation and the future of our oceans. Supported by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Turner Contemporary presents a rich public programme of talks, documentary and artist film screenings, workshops and community activities. Through art, science and storytelling, One Ocean translates complex environmental issues into accessible, action-driven experiences.

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