Whale Wise 
Engagement
Scientific research and the resulting conservation methods are essential, but only effective if shared with others to promote the positive change we need. We strive to engage the public with our research projects and marine conservation efforts more broadly to inform, empower and inspire. Our engagement is tailored to a variety of groups, including fishers, policy makers, stakeholders in local industry, the wider public and fellow scientists.
WHAT?
We aim to share all aspects of our research journey with others. Research results are critical to inform conservation action, but it is also important to communicate the entire scientific process, including the challenges of fieldwork. As scientists, we make mistakes, we are always learning and we are fortunate to really enjoy our work – by sharing this, we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists.
HOW?
We engage with the public in various ways, and telling stories of whales and people is always at the centre. As a baseline, we maintain our social media accounts; create blogs and videos; and hold events from beach cleans to conservation webinars. We also run defined projects, from virtual reality education to an annual film festival. We are increasingly focused on providing marine-focused experiences, instead of simply providing facts, to more effectively connect people with whales. You can also check out our media and news appearances.
WHERE?
In person, we run engagement projects in Iceland and the UK (in line with our research). Venues range from museums and schools to a van on the side of the road with a large sign. We also prioritise online engagement, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will increase our resilience to future global disruptions.
ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS
Iceland (Húsavík)
Ocean-themed film festival to improve our connection with the sea (2021-24)
Iceland (Westfjords)
Roadside education, involving the public in land-based whale watching and research
Iceland (Húsavík)
An exhibit at Húsavík Whale Museum, showing the life and sad ending of a bycaught porpoise
Iceland, Norway, Denmark
Virtual Reality for Ocean Education, using VR content for school and museum conservation education
Iceland
Conversations with the public to exchange sightings and conservation stories, including the development of species ID guides
OUR FILMS
An important part of sharing our stories is through film. In addition to our features in documentary films and TV series, Whale Wise has also produced films about our work.
2025
Director/editor: Alyssa Stoller
Short film about our research in East Iceland since 2019, with a particular focus on our 2025 winter fieldwork.
2019
Director/editor: Alyssa Stoller
Short film about our 2019 field season in Iceland, working towards a sustainable whale-watching industry in Skjálfandi Bay.
2021
Director/editor: Alyssa Stoller
Feature-length film about our work and the highs and lows of the 2019 whale research field season. We aimed to share our real, successful and imperfect experiences of whale research with aspiring scientists.
BBC CHANGING PLANET
We had the amazing experience of working with a BBC film crew and wildlife presenter Chris Packham during our 2021 field season in Iceland. They documented some of our blow sampling and acoustic work to feature on the new series, Our Changing Planet. This series is a seven-year endeavour following scientists and conservation projects across the globe throughout the years. This way, they are hoping to document actual change and share results through the course of the series. It was an absolute blast working with their team and it was an experience we will never forget.
We are happy to have also shared the experience with Judith Scott and Láki Tours, who offered their boat and expertise during the film shoot. Massive thanks also to Larissa Clark (media advisor for the project) and Barba for sharing our work and making this connection to BBC in the first place.