Ocean Pod

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders take listeners on a journey to one of the most iconic places in marine science - the Galápagos Islands.Bronwyn has just returned from a trip to the islands, scouting potential study tours alongside students and supervisors from James Cook University. She shares her experiences in the field, from the unique wildlife encounters to the challenges and opportunities of learning in such a remote, world-famous location.Nina and Bronwyn also reflect on the importance of the Galápagos for conservation and marine research, and what makes it such an inspiring place for the next generation of scientists.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: Nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Professor Sean Connell, a world-leading marine ecologist from the University of Adelaide. From the resilience of kelp forests to the pressures of climate change and conservation, Sean shares insights from his groundbreaking research on temperate reef ecosystems. With reflections on long-term monitoring, science-policy challenges, and the joy of scientific discovery, this conversation offers a rare window into a career dedicated to understanding and protecting our oceans.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders sit down with Professor Charlie Huveneers, one of Australia’s leading shark scientists, to explore the fascinating world of shark research.Charlie leads the Southern Shark Ecology Group at Flinders University and shares insights from decades of work tracking, tagging, and studying sharks—from great whites to school sharks and rays.They chat about the science behind shark behaviour, how research is helping to shape conservation and fisheries management, and what it’s like working with some of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals.This episode also dives into public perceptions of sharks, the role of science in reducing fear, and how emerging technologies are changing what we know about these top predators.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod Get in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders shift focus to a question they get asked all the time—how do you become a marine scientist?If you've ever wondered what marine science actually is, what kinds of jobs exist in the field, or how people get started working with the ocean, this episode is for you. Nina and Bronwyn share their own stories, from early interests to their current roles, and explore the many different pathways into a career in marine science.They also chat about the realities of the job—what it’s like working in research, the skills that matter, and their advice for future marine scientists, students, and anyone curious about life beneath the surface.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders explore the concept of Sea Country—First Nations peoples’ deep, enduring connections to ocean and coast that have guided sustainable marine management for tens of thousands of years.They’re joined by Shane Holland, a proud Kaurna and Narungga man with over 30 years’ experience in government and marine policy. Shane shares his powerful perspective on Indigenous leadership, co-design, and shifting the way research and policy engage with Traditional Owners.From marine parks to fisheries, Shane unpacks why Sea Country matters—not just to First Nations communities, but to the health and future of Australia’s oceans.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod Get in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into the world of marine protected areas—parts of the ocean where human activities are carefully managed to protect marine life, habitats, and cultural values.They’re joined by Dr Shelley Paull, marine coordinator at the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW), who shares her experience managing South Australia’s marine park network. From community engagement to climate change and cultural heritage, Shelley unpacks the vital role MPAs play in ocean conservation.In this episode we talk about Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries, you can find out more about this at https://www.emsau.org.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod Get in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders uncover the secrets hidden in the bones of the sea. From fish ear bones to shells and other hard structures, they explore how these natural time capsules reveal where marine animals have been, how old they are, and the stories of their lives. With insights from Bronwyn’s decades of work in the field, this episode dives deep into the science of life history reconstruction in the ocean.In this episode Nina's tide talk was about how the ocean is getting darker, you can read the paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70227. Bronwyn spoke about the avian flu approaching SA and how our government is preparing, more can be found here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-31/concerns-for-sa-sealions-and-birds-as-bird-flu-approaches/105102764. Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders chat with Sam Gaylard, Principal Marine Scientist at the South Australian Environment Protection Authority. Sam shares insights from his fascinating career at the EPA and breaks down the science behind one of the state's most talked-about marine events: the recent harmful algal bloom. From monitoring water quality to responding to environmental change, Sam offers a unique perspective on how we protect our coastal and marine environments.During the episode we talk about how the public can play a role in monitoring marine health during the algal bloom. If you spot any dead marine animals along South Australia's coast, you can upload photos and details to iNaturalist to help track marine mortality events. Contribute here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025Any large scale fish kills contact the PIRSA fishwatch hotline - https://pir.sa.gov.au/recreational_fishing/reportingFollow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders speak with marine scientist Dr Chloe Hayes about one of the biggest challenges facing our blue planet: climate change. From warming waters and rising seas to shifting species and vanishing habitats, Chloe unpacks the science behind what’s happening in our oceans—and what it means for the future of marine life and coastal communities.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into the fascinating world of the giant Australian cuttlefish. From their dazzling colour changes to their epic mass breeding event in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, this episode explores what makes these cephalopods so unique—and why scientists and snorkellers alike are captivated by them.Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpodGet in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this debut episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders introduce themselves and share the story behind launching the podcast. They chat about their passion for marine science, what inspired them to start Ocean Pod, and what listeners can look forward to in future episodes. Follow us on instagram @oceanpodContact us via email: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au