Diving Talks

🌊 We cannot protect what we do not understand.

Behind every successful marine protected area, every conservation measure, and every effort to safeguard vulnerable species lies years of scientific research.

In this edition of Let's Talk About Diving, meet Gonçalo Silva.

A marine biologist, researcher, university lecturer, and founding member of MARDIVE, Gonçalo has spent more than two decades studying the ecology, evolution, and conservation of marine fish. His work has helped shape marine protected areas and improve the conservation of species such as seahorses, while also investigating how climate change is reshaping life beneath the surface.

At Diving Talks 2026, Gonçalo will share how science is helping us better understand—and ultimately protect—the oceans, while highlighting the importance of communicating research beyond academia and engaging local communities in marine conservation.

🎥 Watch his introduction and tell us: Which marine conservation challenge do you believe deserves the greatest attention today?

"Let's Talk About Diving" is a speaker introduction series leading up to Diving Talks 2026, where some of the most respected voices in the underwater world come together to share ideas, stories, and inspiration.

Who is Sofia Sokolowski?

Some divers explore the underwater world. Sofia Sokolowski explores the diver.

A medical doctor, scientist, and passionate diver from Finland, Sofia has dedicated her career to understanding how the human body responds to the unique challenges of the underwater environment. Specialising in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, she is pursuing a PhD focused on oxygen toxicity in closed circuit rebreather (CCR) diving—research that has the potential to improve safety for divers around the world.

Having started diving at the age of 12, Sofia combines first-hand diving experience with cutting-edge medical research. Her work bridges science and exploration, helping us better understand the physiological limits of diving while advancing knowledge that benefits recreational, technical, military, and scientific divers alike.

At Diving Talks 2026, Sofia will bring the latest insights from the world of diving medicine, showing how research and innovation are shaping a safer future beneath the surface.

“Let’s Talk About Diving” is a speaker introduction series leading up to Diving Talks 2026, where some of the most respected voices in the underwater world come together to share ideas, stories, and inspiration.

Sofia Sokolowski

Everything you've been quietly wondering.
If your question isn't here, our DMs are open.

Diving Talks · Lisbon
23–25 October

Tickets available.

What if the greatest barrier to diving isn't underwater at all?

In this edition of Let's Talk About Diving, meet Ercan Tutal.

A social entrepreneur, international expert in Disability Inclusion, Accessibility, and Design for All, Ercan has dedicated nearly three decades to creating more inclusive communities and opportunities. Through pioneering initiatives, he has helped transform the lives of thousands of people while becoming a globally recognized advocate for accessibility and social innovation.

At Diving Talks 2026, Ercan will challenge us to rethink how we design experiences, environments, and opportunities in diving. His perspective goes beyond accessibility—it is about creating a diving community where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and belong.

🎥 Watch his introduction video and discover why inclusion is not a limitation to overcome, but an opportunity to make diving better for everyone.

👇 What do you think is the biggest challenge to making diving more accessible?

"Let's Talk About Diving" is a speaker introduction series leading up to Diving Talks 2026, where some of the most respected voices in the underwater world come together to share ideas, stories, and inspiration.

How do you safely take divers deeper, farther, and into some of the most challenging underwater environments on Earth?

In this edition of Let's Talk About Diving, meet Edd Stockdale.

For more than a decade, Edd has been at the forefront of dive safety, logistics, and operational management for remote scientific and exploration expeditions. From advanced rebreather projects to large-scale international research initiatives, he has helped make some of the underwater world's most ambitious missions possible.

A Fellow of The Explorers Club, Ambassador for DAN Europe, and a driving force behind the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy, Edd combines operational expertise with a passion for exploration and scientific discovery.

At Diving Talks 2026, he will share insights into the planning, leadership, risk management, and innovation required to support complex diving operations and underwater research projects around the world.

🎥 Watch Edd's introduction video and tell us: what do you think is the most important factor behind a successful expedition—technology, training, leadership, or teamwork?

"Let's Talk About Diving" is a speaker introduction series leading up to Diving Talks 2026, where some of the most respected voices in the underwater world come together to share ideas, stories, and inspiration.