Speakers

Madeline “Mads” St Clair is a British marine biologist turned cinematographer whose work sits at the intersection of science and storytelling. Specialising in wildlife and underwater filmmaking, she captures fragile marine ecosystems alongside the human stories intertwined with them, translating complex environmental processes into visually powerful, emotionally resonant narratives.

From filming icebergs beneath Arctic waters as Oceanographic Magazine’s 2024/25 Storyteller in Residence to documenting coral spawning through pioneering immersive virtual reality with Canon, Mads’ work spans some of the planet’s most extreme and vulnerable marine environments. Whether working in polar seas or tropical reefs, she combines scientific expertise with cinematic craft to transport audiences into places few will ever physically experience.

Beyond ecosystem storytelling, Mads places strong emphasis on the people driving conservation forward. She is particularly committed to amplifying female voices and coastal communities at the frontlines of ocean protection, ensuring her narratives reflect not only landscapes, but lived experience and agency.

At the core of her practice is a belief that imagery can reshape perspective. Through photography and film, Mads creates immersive visual stories that invite audiences to engage with the ocean not as distant spectators, but as active participants in its future.