Book
Dr Richard Smith

A man with dark hair wearing a light gray sweater over a red plaid shirt, smiling and looking to his right, standing indoors with framed artwork on the wall behind him.

International Keynote Speaker & Marine Conservation Expert

Get in touch with Richard to discuss availability:

"A surprise-filled delight from start to finish! Dr. Smith's presentation style is as captivating as his discoveries."
— DIVER Magazine

Dr Richard Smith is a British award-winning marine biologist, underwater photographer, and bestselling author who transforms complex ocean science into captivating stories that inspire and educate audiences worldwide. As the world's leading authority on pygmy seahorses and the first person to earn a PhD focused entirely on these enigmatic creatures, Richard brings unparalleled expertise and infectious passion to every presentation.

With over 4,500 dives across the globe's most biodiverse waters, Richard has discovered new species, led groundbreaking conservation research, and captured the ocean's most elusive moments through his award-winning photography. His bestselling book "The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs" became a #1 Bestseller, demonstrating his unique ability to make marine science accessible and engaging for all audiences.

Richard's presentations blend cutting-edge scientific discoveries with stunning underwater imagery and compelling storytelling, taking audiences on unforgettable journeys to coral reefs and revealing the secret lives of creatures most will never encounter. From the discovery of new species to conservation success stories, his talks inspire wonder for the natural world while delivering crucial messages about marine protection.

Read more about Richard

"The oceans are full of species we are yet to discover, and I'm passionate about sharing these incredible discoveries with audiences around the world, inspiring the next generation of ocean explorers and conservationists."
— Dr. Richard Smith

Recent Speaking Highlights

Institutions

  • Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC - Sold-out book launch event

  • The Linnean Society of London - Presented at the world's oldest biological society, following in Charles Darwin's footsteps

  • The Zoological Society of London - Ocean research presentation

  • Natural England Seahorse Working Group - Founding member and expert advisor

International Conferences

  • REEF Fest Keynote Speaker - Key Largo, Florida

  • Burford Literary Festival - Cotswolds, UK

  • SyngBio Conference Keynote - The Florida Aquarium, Tampa

  • Indo-Pacific Fish Conferences - Perth, Australia & Okinawa, Japan

  • Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) - Singapore

  • Australian International Dive Expo - Brisbane

  • Underwater Tour Australia - Multi-city speaking tour (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)

Media & Podcasts

  • Underwater Tribe Live Show - Pygmy seahorse discoveries

  • Animals to the Max Podcast - Featured expert guest

  • Go Diving Show - UK's premier diving exhibition

  • DIVE Show - National Exhibition Centre, UK

Speaking Topics

  1. The World Beneath: Discovering New Marine Life
    Journey through Richard's groundbreaking discoveries, including the naming of three new species from Japan to South Africa, and the incredible story of finding pygmy seahorses where none should exist.

  2. From First Dive to PhD: A Marine Biologist's Journey
    An inspiring story of how a single dive in 1996 led to becoming the world's leading pygmy seahorse expert and the first person to earn a PhD on these creatures.

  3. Award-Winning Underwater Photography for Conservation
    How stunning imagery can change hearts, minds, and policy to protect marine ecosystems, featuring Richard's magazine-cover photographs.

  4. Small Fish, Global Impact: The Pygmy Seahorse Revolution
    Discover how studying the ocean's tiniest horses revolutionized marine biodiversity understanding and influenced international conservation policy.

  5. Modern Ocean Exploration & Species Discovery
    What it takes to explore remote reefs in the 21st century and why countless discoveries still await beneath the waves.

Expertise & Credentials

Scientific Leadership:

  • IUCN Species Specialist Group - Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group member since 2016

  • Species Focal Point - Global Pygmy Seahorse Expert for iSeahorse.org

  • Natural England Advisory Panel - Founding member, Seahorse Working Group (2021-present)

  • IUCN Red List Assessor - Including the first Critically Endangered seahorse species

Academic Achievements:

  • PhD in Marine Biology - First doctorate focused entirely on pygmy seahorses (2011)

  • MSc Marine Ecology & Evolution - University of Queensland (Dean's Commendation)

  • BSc (Hons) Zoology - University of Southampton

  • Fellow - Royal Geographical Society & The Linnean Society of London

Publication & Media Recognition:

  • #1 Amazon Bestseller - "The World Beneath" with 500+ five-star reviews

  • International Media Features - National Geographic, BBC, CNN, Scientific American

  • Peer-Reviewed Publications - Multiple papers in leading journals

  • Magazine Covers - Dozens of international diving and photography publications

Book Richard for:

Transform your next event with presentations that educate, inspire, and captivate. Richard's unique combination of scientific expertise, storytelling mastery, and award-winning visuals creates unforgettable experiences that leave lasting impacts on audiences.

Available for:

  • Keynote presentations

  • Conference speaking

  • Corporate events

  • Educational workshops

  • Media interviews

  • Panel discussions

  • Virtual presentations

Book
Dr. Richard Smith

International Keynote Speaker & Marine Conservation Expert

Get in touch with Richard to discuss availability:

As seen in

Logos of media organizations including Smithsonian, National Geographic, Australian Geographic, CNN, The Scientist, BBC News, Oceanographic, PADI, The Guardian, and SportDiver.
Book cover titled "The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs" by Dr. Richard Smith. The cover features a brightly colored fish against a dark background.

'The World Beneath:
The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs'

Richard's ability to translate complex science into engaging stories culminated in his popular science book 'The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs' – a #1 bestseller on Amazon that covers his wide-ranging work from marine biology to natural history observations and conservation.

The book's success led to a sold-out launch event at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC and speaking engagements at prestigious venues including The Linnean Society of London – where he followed in the footsteps of Charles Darwin at the world's oldest biological society.

View 'The World Beneath' →

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