{"id":1533,"date":"2025-08-06T09:54:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T09:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/?p=1533"},"modified":"2025-08-06T10:22:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:22:02","slug":"national-marine-week-exeter-marine-alumni-making-waves-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/2025\/08\/06\/national-marine-week-exeter-marine-alumni-making-waves-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"National Marine Week: Exeter Marine alumni making waves around the world\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>From the shores of Cornwall to coral reefs half a world away, University of Exeter alumni are making waves in marine science, education, conservation, and communication. As we mark <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildlifetrusts.org\/national-marine-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Marine Week<\/a> (26 July \u2013 10 August) \u2014 a time to honour and explore the UK\u2019s extraordinary marine environments \u2014 we\u2019re also shining a spotlight on the thriving community of researchers and alumni connected to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.exeter.ac.uk\/research\/networks\/exetermarine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Exeter Marine<\/a>, based on our Penryn Campus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To discover more we caught up with alumni Jess Haines, Ben Pearce, and Lucie Machin. Their stories are as varied as the oceans they study, from manta ray conservation in the Maldives, to sailing the world as a marine educator, and telling powerful environmental stories through film. Yet they all began their journeys at Penryn, united by a shared curiosity for the underwater world and a commitment to protecting it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jess Haines (BSc Zoology, 2016 and MRes Marine Biology and Conservation, 2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alumna Jess Haines is a PhD researcher (PhD Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, 2023- 2027) specialising in manta rays, and began her journey on our Penryn Campus, studying Zoology and diving headfirst into the underwater world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"795\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jessica-haines-1-1024x795.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1635\" style=\"width:296px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jessica-haines-1-1024x795.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jessica-haines-1-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jessica-haines-1-768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jessica-haines-1.jpg 1122w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cI found myself gravitating toward marine-focused modules,\u201d <\/em>Jess recalls.<em> \u201cWhenever I had the freedom to choose my assignment topics, I\u2019d always choose something marine-related.\u201d<\/em> Alongside her studies, she trained as a scuba diver \u2014 starting with her Open Water certification in first year and becoming a Divemaster by graduation. <em>\u201cSpending so much time underwater deepened my curiosity and made me want to understand the marine environment on a scientific level,\u201d she explained.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A pivotal moment came in her final year, when Jess made a last-minute switch from a Kenyan field course to a marine-based one in the Bahamas, at the <a href=\"https:\/\/islandschool.org\/cape-eleuthera-institute\/about-us-cei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cape Eleuthera Institute<\/a>. <em>\u201cIt was the best decision I could\u2019ve made,\u201d<\/em> she says. <em>\u201cGetting hands-on experience in marine research was incredibly valuable and really cemented my desire to work as a marine biologist abroad.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-1024x793.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1637\" style=\"width:320px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-768x595.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-1536x1190.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Jess-and-Manta_Photograoher-Charlie-Cupples-2-2048x1586.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credited to Charlie Cupples.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>After graduating, Jess stepped away from academia and moved to the Cayman Islands to work as a divemaster and marine education and outreach intern. That role led to becoming a dive instructor, and eventually to a position as a resort marine biologist in the Maldives where she encountered manta rays for the first time. <em>\u201cWords can\u2019t quite capture how awe-inspiring they are,\u201d<\/em> she says. <em>\u201cTheir intelligence and curiosity are captivating, and it was that fascination that made me want to understand them better.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That encounter sparked a new chapter in Jess\u2019s career. She joined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mantatrust.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manta Trust<\/a> as a Project Manager, working in the Maldives for four years before returning to the UK to pursue a PhD focused entirely on manta rays. <em>\u201cIt\u2019s been a winding path,\u201d<\/em> she reflects, <em>\u201cbut every step, from my time at Exeter to my work in the field, has brought me closer to the goal of contributing meaningful research to the conservation of these incredible animals.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1639\" style=\"width:318px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Maldives_Jess-SVP-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Her fieldwork has been filled with unforgettable moments, but one stands out. While studying juvenile manta rays in the Maamunagau Lagoon, Jess met Jojo, a young manta she\u2019d identified and seen many times. Two years later, in Hanifaru Bay, a small manta approached her group of snorkellers. <em>\u201cTo my amazement, it was Jojo,\u201d<\/em> Jess says. <em>\u201cShe flipped upside down right in front of us, almost like she was saying hello.\u201d <\/em>It was a full-circle moment and one that inspired a chapter in her thesis exploring where juveniles go when they leave their nursery habitats.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jess\u2019s work has also reached wider audiences through science communication. While working at the <a href=\"https:\/\/maldives.intercontinental.com\/manta-trust\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort<\/a>, a press visit led to her research being featured in <em>BBC Wildlife <\/em>magazine. <em>\u201cIt was a real honour,\u201d<\/em> she says. <em>\u201cThe experience made me appreciate the value of working with PR to promote conservation. Communicating our science beyond academia is just as important as doing the research itself.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also kindly shared her advice for aspiring conservationists: <em>\u201cGet as much hands-on experience as you can, and don\u2019t be afraid to start small. Things like communication, data handling, public engagement, as well as field experience, can open doors and make you more versatile in a team. And don\u2019t forget to network. The worst anyone can say is no.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can follow Jess\u2019s career on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/oceans.with.jess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jess-haines-51b0b6264\/?originalSubdomain=uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ben Pearce (BSc Conservation Biology and Ecology, 2021 and MSc Marine Environmental Management, 2023)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"727\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_6071-3-727x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1647\" style=\"width:225px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_6071-3-727x1024.jpg 727w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_6071-3-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_6071-3-768x1082.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_6071-3.jpg 932w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since completing his studies at Penryn, Ben\u2019s career has taken him across continents and oceans, blending research, teaching, and community engagement in powerful ways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cThe amazing network of academics, friends and teachers I developed throughout my two degrees at Exeter has proved invaluable,\u201d<\/em> Ben reflects. <em>\u201cI\u2019ve always had this overarching goal of contributing to academia and improving the state of the world\u2019s ocean, and I realised that saying \u2018yes!\u2019 to opportunities, especially at this stage in my career, is so important.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of those opportunities came in the form of a role with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seamester.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sea|mester<\/a>, an organisation that delivers experiential education aboard sailing vessels. Despite being a confident PADI Scuba Instructor with a strong foundation in marine conservation, the job pushed Ben into unfamiliar territory \u2014 teaching university-credit courses from the University of South Florida, leading watch teams across oceans, and learning to sail.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-1024x616.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1645\" style=\"width:341px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-1024x616.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-768x462.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-1536x924.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-16.22.30-2-2-2048x1232.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credited to Dave Connon.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIt was nerve-wracking,\u201d <\/em>he admits,<em> \u201cbut having completed my first year with the company, I\u2019m now on the verge of obtaining my professionally endorsed offshore captain\u2019s license. I\u2019ve developed a much deeper appreciation for the ocean, which will ultimately improve my ability to contribute to conservation in the future.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before setting sail, Ben spent time in Costa Rica working with two conservation organisations: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tortugasdeosa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Comunidad Protectora de Tortugas de Osa<\/a> (COPROT), which focuses on beach censuses, and the long-term recovery and monitoring of sea turtles, and <a href=\"https:\/\/connectoceancr.com\/home?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafLFt0xcm-VY5S554eIlSZYcTqHwax1HnXWDFPpJnFm7YCdMzTWRFcG8yfiBA_aem_AMeOf8TKyNpFZclV4mW0Zg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ConnectOcean<\/a>, which builds the capacity for local communities to take charge of their local marine environments, focusing on providing the specific skills needed for marine spatial planning and successful conservation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was during this time that Ben saw first hand how powerful community engagement can be. <em>\u201cWorking with Ernst van der Poll, the founder of ConnectOcean, was inspiring,\u201d <\/em>he says.<em> \u201cI learnt so much applying what I had learnt from working with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maldivesmantaconservation.org\/our-approach#:~:text=The%20Maldives%20Manta%20Conservation%20Programme%20%28MMCP%29%2C%20formerly%20the,on%20the%20research%20and%20conservation%20of%20manta%20rays.\">Maldives Manta Conservation Project<\/a> during my MSc to the oceanic manta population in Guanacaste, and how powerful community engagement can be when implemented effectively.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1643\" style=\"width:353px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/IMG_1961-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now teaching marine biology and scuba diving aboard S\/Y Argo, Ben is passionate about place-based learning. <em>\u201cDelivering a lecture on coral reef ecology and then diving the reefs of Komodo (Indonesia) that same day is special,\u201d<\/em> he says. <em>\u201cIt helps build the capacity for marine conservation within these young adults.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWhat\u2019s been particularly unexpected is the hope this job has given me,\u201d<\/em> he adds. <em>\u201cThe compassion, love, and care these cohorts of students take with them after a 90-day semester is phenomenal.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben\u2019s advice to aspiring marine conservationists is rooted in passion and purpose. <em>\u201cFind an area that excites you and makes you happy,\u201d<\/em> he says. <em>\u201cWhen you\u2019re happy, the sustainability of your job and the connections you build vastly improve. Keep your passion and emotional reasons for caring about conservation at the heart of your personal and professional choices, both of which will inevitably improve the effectiveness of the messages you are trying to deliver and further help to conserve our marine world.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can follow Ben\u2019s career on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/benpearce11\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jess-haines-51b0b6264\/?originalSubdomain=uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lucie Machin (MSc Conservation and Biodiversity, 2018)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduating from MSc Conservation and Biodiversity on our Penryn Campus, Lucie began to explore a career in the conservation sector. She took on roles as a Research Assistant at the University of Exeter, and as a Conservation Fieldworker with the Ascension Island Government in the South Atlantic Ocean, building on other conservation fieldwork experience she had completed before her masters. However, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting downturn in traditional conservation roles during this period, caused Lucie to rethink her options.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"897\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-1024x897.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1631\" style=\"width:320px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-1024x897.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-1536x1346.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Lucie-Machin-300dpi-2-2-2048x1795.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When she came to rethinking her future, a career in environmental filmmaking was at the top of the list. Whilst undertaking her masters, Lucie discovered an interest in environmental storytelling. <em>\u201cWe had several seminars which looked at the importance of communications and storytelling: from helping to positively engage local people with conservation projects, to encouraging behavioural change on a societal level.\u201d<\/em> During the last four years, Lucie has worked as a researcher, camera operator, and producer, before landing her current role as a Camera Assistant on BBC\u2019s <em>Countryfile<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reminiscing about some of her most rewarding projects, Lucie told us about her time filming oyster reef restoration work with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluemarinefoundation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blue Marine Foundation<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zsl.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoological Society of London<\/a>, off the Tyneside and Conwy coast, for the <a href=\"https:\/\/wild-oysters.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wild Oysters Project<\/a>. <em>\u201cSeeing my footage being used by the likes of the BBC and World Economic Forum to show people around the world such a positive conservation story was really rewarding.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/J.-A-Clawsome-Tale-Poster-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1633\" style=\"width:253px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/J.-A-Clawsome-Tale-Poster-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/J.-A-Clawsome-Tale-Poster-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/J.-A-Clawsome-Tale-Poster-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/J.-A-Clawsome-Tale-Poster-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Another big moment in Lucie\u2019s career, has been directing her first crowdfunded documentary about the work done at <a href=\"https:\/\/nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The National Lobster Hatchery<\/a> in Cornwall. <em>\u201cThis felt particularly special to me, as it was quite a full circle moment, having first visited the hatchery as part of my masters studies where I started thinking about environmental storytelling as an option\u201d. \u2018A Clawsome Tale\u2019<\/em> is available to view <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/luciemachin\/a-lobsters-tale-film-documenting-national-lobster-hatchery\/description\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online<\/a>, and the short film will be touring around Cornwall soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflecting on a career in environmental storytelling, Lucie says <em>\u201cWorking as a storyteller holds a lot of responsibility and power.\u202f As a storyteller you make decisions about which stories to tell, which narratives to use and which people to work with. It&#8217;s important to tell and share stories in a way which is fair, respectful and truthful.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-720x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1649\" style=\"width:229px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-720x1024.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-211x300.jpeg 211w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-768x1092.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-1080x1536.jpeg 1080w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-1440x2048.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/alumni-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/151\/2025\/08\/Migration-2-scaled.jpeg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credited to Lucie Machin.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>What would Lucie\u2019s advice for aspiring environmental filmmakers be? She shares, <em>&#8220;Without sugar coating it, it&#8217;s a tough industry to get into. However, there are so many stories which need telling, which need people with the skills, knowledge and sensitivity to translate them well.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIf you\u2019re thinking of getting into filmmaking but don\u2019t know where to start, then just start filming where you are, with the equipment you have. It\u2019s much more important to learn to tell a story well, than get put off by not having the right gear or not having lots of experience already. You could make a really good short film just by using a smartphone and a decent microphone. Try reaching out to local conservation or environmental projects and see if they need any support.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can follow Lucie\u2019s career on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lucie.machin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lucie-machin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Congratulations to Jess, Ben and Lucie on all their success so far in their careers \u2013 we\u2019re very proud of you all and can\u2019t wait to follow your next chapters!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We love to hear news from our alumni so do always feel free to reach out via email at\u202f<\/strong><a href=\"mailto:alumni@exeter.ac.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>alumni@exeter.ac.uk<\/strong><\/a><strong>, DM us on socials or tag us in your posts. And if you\u2019re interested in finding out more about what other alumni have got up to since graduating, take a look at our\u202f<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alumniprofiles.exeter.ac.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Alumni Profiles website<\/strong><\/a><strong>.\u202f\u202fYou can also discover more about what the Exeter Marine research group is up to via their <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exeter.ac.uk\/research\/networks\/exetermarine\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>website<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the shores of Cornwall to coral reefs half a world away, University of Exeter alumni are making waves in marine science, education, conservation, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2497,"featured_media":1537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - 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