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Robert Ballard  

Renowned Ocean Explorer & Scientist

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 addition to being a National Geographic Society Explorer-At-Large and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Dr. Ballard is the president of the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), and a Research Scholar at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

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 URI/GSO. 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, he returned to the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island where he is presently a tenured Professor of Oceanography.

Dr. Ballard has 23 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.” In 2014, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Ballard has published numerous books, scientific papers, and a dozen articles in National Geographic magazine. Dr. Ballard also has been featured in several National Geographic television programs, including the record-breaking “Secrets of the TITANIC” and, in October of 2019, “Expedition Amelia.” In 2021, his autobiography, Into the Deep was released and a National Geographic special, streaming on Disney +, “Bob Ballard: An Explorer’s Life” is an intimate look at his personal and professional life.

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.

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.

Speech Topics


Adventures in Deep Sea Exploration: Living the Dream.

Dr. Robert Ballard, President of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and Director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, is best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic. Ballard is now using advanced technology to create a new field of research in deep water archaeology. At the Institute for Exploration's Challenge of the Deep exhibit hall, as well as with his Jason Foundation for Education, Ballard hopes to inspire young people to pursue learning in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery. This past summer he used satellite and internet technologies to bring thousands of students around the world into direct contact with his team while on location in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

In his talk, through the use of stunning high quality images and personal accounts, Dr. Ballard will present his most recent work in deep water archaeology and the technology of tele-presence. He discusses motivating people to think outside the box, learning how to deal with failure-that failure is just a step along the way to success, motivating children to choose careers in math, science and engineering; and how to live your dream. Ballard is a dynamic speaker who will have your audience on the edge of their seats wanting to start a whole new career in exploration!

Deep Sea Exploration

Dr. Ballard shares his conclusions of his numerous expeditions to search for, locate and document sites of historical significance and the emerging science of deep water archeology.

"An Evening of Exploration with Dr. Robert Ballard" "Thinking out of the box and taking risks to achieve long-term goals." "Where are the Boundaries of Achievement? : Push the Envelope" "Great Goals Require a Team to Achieve" "Hire People Smarter Than Yourself" "Your Dreams and Passions Provide you with the Motivation" "Overcome Failure to find Success." "Life is Not Failure Avoidance"

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

Dr. Ballard shares his incredible story of the significant discovery of the Titanic, the advanced technology he used for this world famous expedition, and whats ahead for the future in deep sea exploration.

Living the Dream

Dr. Ballard speaks about how he has turned his dreams into reality by taking risks and learning how to face failure and turn it into success.

News


Robert Ballard: What Hidden Underwater Worlds Are Left To ...
Ocean explorer Robert Ballard makes the case for exploring the deep oceans, ... March 18, 20169:51 AM ET ... Robert Ballard is a pioneer in ocean exploration.

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