OCEANOGRAPHIC: AMBER, HOW HAS YOUR LOVE FOR THE OCEAN AND STORYTELLING IN PARTICULAR DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

AMBER CARTER: “I’ve been obsessed with the ocean for as long as I can remember – even though I grew up more than an hour and a half from the coast. Every holiday, I would spend the entire day in the sea, refusing to leave until my parents dragged me out. Growing up, I was also quite creative, singing in choirs, performing on stage and doing art. In some way, I’ve always told stories. As my career progressed as a marine scientist, storytelling felt like a natural part of my work and something I was instinctively drawn to. I realised that research has little impact if it stays locked in a lab or buried in academic journals. If science is going to lead to action, it needs to be understood – not just by other researchers, but by local communities, policymakers and the public.

It wasn’t until I started working with traditional fishing communities in Madagascar during my PhD that I realised storytelling wasn’t just a way to share science; it could be a research tool in itself. Often in Indigenous or traditional communities, knowledge isn’t documented in written records; its passed down through collective memory, shared experiences, and storytelling. I started integrating storytelling-based methods into my research, using long-form interviews and community-led filmmaking. Now, storytelling is a core part of my research – not as an add-on, but as a way to co-produce knowledge, understand and amplify the perspectives of marginalised ocean communities and support locally driven action to help conserve and restore the ocean.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: HOW DID YOU GET INTO OCEAN SCIENCE? 

AMBER CARTER: “I had no idea what I wanted to do as a teenager, so I used to jokingly say I wanted to be an explorer! After finishing school, I initially studied fashion, following in the footsteps of both my older sisters, but quickly realised it wasn’t for me. The summer after my first year at university, I travelled to Indonesia and learned to scuba dive. Spending the summer in nature, discovering the underwater world and seeing firsthand the destruction happening in our ocean made me realise that I wanted to build a career that contributed to the sustainability of the planet. When I got home, I rushed to apply for a last-minute change in university courses. The Environmental Science programme I switched to wasn’t particularly exciting to me at first, but it included a study abroad opportunity at the University of Miami, home to an incredible marine science department with a campus right on the beach.

When I arrived in Miami, I threw myself into marine science, taking every ocean-related class I could. I was only supposed to stay for three months, but I wrote to my university back in the UK, pretty much refusing to come home. Eventually, they agreed I could stay on the condition that I completed my undergraduate dissertation fieldwork in Miami. That turned into my first independent research project in marine science and the moment I started to see it as a real career path. It’s true what they say – you can’t be what you can’t see. Up until then, marine scientists were people I had watched in documentaries, not something I had ever imagined becoming myself. But meeting them, working with them, and understanding their work made me realise this was something I could actually do; and that I was excited by.

Miami also shifted my perspective on what marine science could mean. Up until that point, I had mostly thought about it in terms of biology and ecology. I hadn’t really considered how it intersects with people and conservation. That changed when I attended a guest lecture by someone working the Nature Conservancy, a large environmental NGO. He described a trip to a Caribbean island where he spent nights in local bars, chatting with fishers to understand their views on a new marine protected area. That was a lightbulb moment for me and completely changed my perspective. I remember writing in a notebook that day that I wanted a career working at the intersection of the ocean and the people who depend on it the most and that moment set the course for everything that followed.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: AS A WOMAN, HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED HARDSHIPS IN YOUR CAREER THAT MEN MIGHT NOT? HOW DID THEY SHAPE YOUR CAREER?

AMBER CARTER: “Women are still underrepresented in senior roles in ocean science, but compared to other scientific fields there has been good progress. It wasn’t long ago that women were excluded from this space. In the UK, women in my mother’s generation were still barred from some universities, while my grandmother’s generation often had to publish research under male names to be taken seriously. I feel fortunate to work in a time where progress has been made in the UK, but working globally, I know that’s not the case everywhere. In many places, women are not encouraged to pursue careers in science or conservation, and those who do often have to navigate additional social and cultural obstacles. Navigating these cultural contexts while working in these places is complex. There’s a need to balance respecting local custom while ensuring that gender equity is part of the conservation conversation.

I’m aware that as a woman, there are situations where I expend more energy ensuring my safety and questioning people’s motives than a man in the same position. In my work, I am often travelling alone, working in remote regions or working in male-dominated spaces and it is important to be aware. No research or adventures are worth putting yourself in a situation you feel uncomfortable. I think greater discussion and awareness around these issues is needed in academia. Every day, I’m inspired by the women who paved the way for more equitable science and those I’m lucky to work alongside – pushing boundaries, creating change, and proving that science is for everyone. In all my work with coastal communities, I strive to ensure that women are included, represented, and empowered.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IN YOUR INDUSTRY TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO OTHER WOMEN?   

AMBER CARTER: “Increasing the number of women in leadership roles – whether in academia, conservation, or policy – is crucial. Research shows that female-led scientific teams create more inclusive, equitable environments and often drive more innovative and disruptive ideas than their male counterparts. Having more women in senior positions will not only shape the future of ocean science but also pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry. There also needs to be greater education and awareness around harassment, particularly in fieldwork settings. Throughout my entire university career, this was never addressed. But these are conversations that should be happening before young researchers enter the field. Open discussions and training on navigating difficult situations would not only improve awareness but also ensure that researchers, especially women, feel better prepared, supported, and equipped to handle challenges in remote or unfamiliar environments.” 

OCEANOGRAPHIC: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR GIRLS WANTING TO ESTABLISH A SIMILAR CAREER?

AMBER CARTER: “I have three pieces of advice. First, be aware that it is an unusual career path, it is unlikely to be a linear trajectory and your life may look very different from your friends and family. Do not let this put you off – be bold and ambitious with your dreams! Second, find mentors – as I said earlier, it is very hard to be what you can’t see. Without realising it, from very early on in my career I sought out mentors who have been critical in encouraging me at different parts of my journey. Don’t be afraid to send the emails, reach out over social media or speak to them at an event. The worst they can say is no, and the best is that it could help shape your future. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions or take no for an answer. There have been a few butterfly moments throughout my career where, if I had not overcome the fear to question a decision or take a chance on the trip or the project, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Trust your gut!”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: WHAT RESEARCH ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? 

AMBER CARTER: “I am a social-ecological marine scientist working at the intersection of human societies and marine ecosystems. I use very diverse approaches from ecological surveys in coral ecosystems to interpreting climate models to using filmmaking to better understand the perspectives of local fishing communities. Most of my work is focused in remote tropical regions where the communities remain heavily reliant on coastal ecosystems such as seagrass, coral, and mangroves for their food and income. Through my work, I try to understand how changes in these ecosystems are affecting the lives of local people and to identify pathways to support local communities manage their resources sustainably amid these changes.

My work is important because supporting locally led conservation initiatives will be critical to conserve and restore our ocean at a global scale. It is very relevant to the global ambition of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Currently, only about 9% of the ocean is protected, and such a significant expansion presents both opportunities and challenges, including potential negative impacts on the well-being of coastal communities. Through my research, I aim to understand how we can safeguard the ocean through well-managed marine protected areas while ensuring that social justice and equity remain at the forefront of decision-making with the consideration of the well-being of those who depend on the ocean most.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: YOUR BEST OCEAN MOMENT TO DATE? 

AMBER CARTER: “A difficult question to answer but leading my first scientific expedition in the remote Revillagigedo Archipelago in the eastern tropical Pacific was an unforgettable experience. We were assessing the coral community, which had not been researched for nearly two decades. Revillagigedo is known for its steep and rapidly shifting thermocline, meaning water temperatures can change by several degrees in a matter of minutes. On the expedition we placed temperature loggers around the coral communities to record the changing temperatures. Our research revealed that corals in the area are surviving in conditions that fluctuate by up to 7°C within just a few hours. Since corals are typically known to require stable environments, this suggested that the corals in Revillagigedo have adapted to survive in stressful conditions. Based on these findings, we proposed that the region could serve as a coral climate refugia – where corals may be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This research contributed to the scientific evidence supporting the creation of large scale marine protected area Revillagigedo National Park in 2017.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: AND YOUR PROUDEST WORK ACHIEVEMENT? 

AMBER CARTER: “My proudest work achievement has been developing the community-led filmmaking method and using it for Voices of the Vezo, an initiative I led in southwest Madagascar with Vezo fishing communities as part of my PhD research. As part of the project, we worked with four villages, training local youth to create films using smartphones. We guided them through the process of filming interviews, capturing b-roll and crafting narratives about how the ocean is changing and how these changes are affecting the lives of the Vezo people. The interviews collected during the films became an integral part of my PhD research. To share these stories, we organised pop-up cinemas in the villages, allowing local audiences to see their own experiences reflected on screen. The films have since been viewed thousands of times online. This project is my proudest achievement because it broke away from the traditional research model that often extracts information from communities only to repackage it for other scientists. Instead, it was a collaborative process, documenting important local knowledge of ecosystem changes. The films we created gave us an increased understanding of historic social and ecological conditions and also provided skills training, encouraged engagement and discussion around conservation issues and supported local leadership in conservation and fisheries management.

For example, in one of the films, several interviews with fishers highlighted their support for a no-take zone – an area closed to fishing to help the ecosystem recover. While discussions about the no-take zone had been ongoing for some time, the film reinforced the idea that the community was behind it, and shortly after, the no-take zone was officially established. As a scientist, I am always looking for ways to ensure that my research extends beyond academic journals and is relevant and useful to the communities I work with. Through community-led filmmaking, I was able to achieve both. The method I developed in Madagascar was later applied in Indonesia, where the films successfully served as an advocacy tool, helping secure local government support for sustainable farming. I have further plans to expand this approach throughout 2025.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: HOW DO YOU COMBINE STORYTELLING AND RESEARCH?

AMBER CARTER: “In 2021, as international travel remained limited due to COVID, I began to feel increasingly disconnected from my work. At the time, I was completing my PhD, researching how locally managed marine areas could support coral ecosystems and Vezo fishing communities in southwest Madagascar. But after two years of being unable to go to Madagascar, I started questioning how relevant my research was to the communities I was working with.

I also faced another major obstacle – a lack of historical data. Madagascar’s marine ecosystems are poorly documented, with scientific records rarely stretching beyond 10 to 20 years. I realised just how important the knowledge held by local fishers was, not just for answering my research questions but for informing present-day conservation and management decisions. This realisation shifted my perspective. I knew that when I finally returned to Madagascar, I wanted to develop a project that was engaging and relevant to local communities – while also improving my understanding of historical ecosystem conditions. That’s when I turned to community-led filmmaking. In many traditional and Indigenous communities, storytelling is a primary way of passing down knowledge, making it a far more effective and culturally relevant tool than written reports or academic papers. Through filmmaking, I worked alongside community members to document their experiences, observations, and concerns about the changing ecosystem and the impact it was having on their lives and culture.

The short films produced through community-led filmmaking became more than just records of ecological and social change. They preserved local knowledge in regions where written documentation is scarce and provided a platform for communities to share their perspectives. Community-led filmmaking has since become a core part of my research approach, and I’m excited to continue using it to bridge the gap between science, storytelling and local knowledge.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: WHT ARE LOCALLY-LED SOLUTIONS THE FUTURE OF OCEAN CONSERVATION? 

AMBER CARTER: “The ocean is vast, and its conservation requires distributed leadership, led by those who know it best. By empowering coastal communities as ocean stewards, including local and Indigenous knowledge with scientific data, and ensuring local rights are recognised and upheld, we can support coastal communities to become the custodians our ocean so urgently needs. I believe that conservation for communities, led by communities, is the only viable path to protecting coastal seas while respecting the fundamental rights of the people who depend on them most. The incredible thing about the ocean is that, when given the chance, it can recover – often within the timespan of a human lifetime. But to make this happen, there needs to be a paradigm shift. The dominant approach of Western conservation science has is not enough. Within their work marine scientists can support and collaborate with the people closest to the ocean, supporting them protect the ecosystems they have relied on for generations.

All around the world, we see communities taking the lead in sustainably managing their part of the ocean. In Madagascar, for example, over 200 locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) have been established in just the past decade – and more are being created all the time. Facilitating networks and opportunities for knowledge sharing between communities will be essential for scaling these efforts. Within this, storytelling will play a crucial role, ensuring that experiences, lessons and successes are shared and learned from.”

OCEANOGRAPHIC: WHY IS ‘WOMEN IN OCEAN SCIENCE’ SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

AMBER CARTER: “Academia can be a lonely place, and so can carving out an unconventional career path. That’s why being part of the WOS network is so valuable. It creates space for connection, knowledge sharing, and empowerment. It’s inspiring to learn about all the incredible research happening around the world and to feel part of a global movement working toward a positive future for the ocean. Beyond research, I really admire the work WOS is doing to empower local women in Indonesia and the Maldives to scuba dive. Representation in the field matters, and these initiatives are helping break down barriers that have historically limited women’s access to the ocean. Being part of WOS is a reminder that none of us are doing this work alone – we are part of a community shaping ocean science and conservation of the future.”

Learn more about Women in Ocean Science here or in our exclusive Women in Ocean Science column which was launched to celebrate International Women’s Day.