About this Event
Join the Marine Conservation Society and marine biologist and author Emily Cunningham for a special event celebrating , an inspiring new book showing how anyone, anywhere can help protect the ocean and the inspirational people and projects aiming to save our blue planet.
Format:
- Free arrival drinks and Scottish Seas Roadshow interactive presentation (11am)
You’ll discover more about the Scottish Seas Roadshow project, a transformational three-year ocean literacy project across Scotland offering workshops, creative events, beach cleans, training and more.
- Author reading and Q&A (11.25am)
Enjoy a special first-look at Emily reading from her new book with the chance to take part in an audience Q&A
- Interview panel featuring Catherine Gemmell, Caitlin Turner, Alan Munro and Natasha Stewart (11.50am)
Hear from a panel of ocean changemakers from across Scotland as they share practical ways to take action — from using your voice for change and making ocean-friendly choices in daily life, to joining citizen science projects, beach cleans and volunteering opportunities.
- Free lunch, tea & coffee with vegetarian and vegan options (12.20pm)
- Creative Workshop (1pm)
A visioning workshop with creative activities to help us all understand how we can care for the ocean and marine wildlife with practical actions.
- Closing remarks (1.50pm)
A complimentary welcome soft drink and lunch are included, with the chance to buy a copy of the book, meet Emily and have your copy signed, plus browse our marine-themed stall and find out more about opportunities at the Marine Conservation Society.
About the author:
Emily Cunningham MBE is a marine biologist, award-winning ocean conservationist and author. Her work and research has taken her from Antarctica to the Amazon, but she is most passionate about the incredible wildlife we have in our local seas. Emily grew up inland and was the first person in her family to go to university. She was awarded an MBE for services to marine conservation and coastal communities in 2025. The question she is asked most often is ‘What can I do to help the ocean?’. Our Ocean to Save is her reply.
About the panel:
Alan Munro is the Founder and Director of Young Sea Changers Scotland, where he champions the next generation of ocean leaders. He works to drive meaningful change through grassroots action, youth empowerment, and strategic policy engagement and is committed to supporting young people turn their passion for the ocean into tangible action and lasting impact.
Catherine Gemmell is a volunteer Director at Moray Ocean Community, a coastal community group doing citizen science and engagement across the Moray Firth. Her day job is working on marine litter policy for the Marine Conservation Society. Catherine loves sharing her ocean optimism with everyone and trying anything new from seagrass surveys with paddleboards to looking for oyster shells on the beach.
Caitlin Turner is a marine biologist and conservationist with several years of experience in marine policy and hands-on conservation efforts, from rescuing seal pups to scrubbing oysters. She is a passionate advocate for stronger marine protection, championing intersectionality in conservation and ensuring young people have a voice in shaping the future of our seas.
Natasha Stewart is an Early Years Practitioner and Sustainability Lead in a nursery setting in Edinburgh, responsible for eliminating plastic at her setting and working with Edinburgh Council Procurement to remove all glitter/ bio glitter products across all schools and Early Years settings in Edinburgh. She was instrumental in encouraging the City of Edinburgh Council to be the first in Scotland to adopt an Ocean Recovery Declaration.
Event venue & nearby stays
Saints of Ingram, 158 Ingram Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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