Dr Charlotte Birkmanis

Charlotte is an award-winning science communicator bringing science out of the lab and into your lounge room using a variety of mediums to get you interested in the natural world. Charlotte started writing at a young age, her first publication was an award-winning haiku poem at the age of 10! Times have changed and she has now written over 30 publications across science and popular literature including articles, interviews and books. Her most recent publication is the children’s book ‘Wonder of the Wild Sharks' in addition to 'Shark Deck' and 'Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping’. This fun-filled factual tale is all about what goes on in the ocean when the sun goes down – through the eyes of a little shark called Lulu.

As a dynamic marine science educator and communicator who’s become a role model for many in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Charlotte has been recognised as a ‘STEM Ambassador’ and a ‘Superstar of STEM’ who combined a fascination with predators and a love of the ocean to become a marine biologist who studies sharks. Bridging the gap between science and the public, she is regularly featured on TV and radio as a ‘public relations manager’ for sharks and other predators. Charlotte has been invited to speak on a variety of stages, including TEDx, a public Q&A shark panel for Museums, Fringe World Festival and the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

She regularly delivers a variety of engaging, interactive and informative presentations both in-person and online for audiences ranging from Q&A sessions with school and community groups to keynote speeches and expert panels. She is also in demand as an MC, panel and webinar host and facilitator. Charlotte uses her training with the BBC's The Naked Scientists to show you how to produce audio to tickle your ears, and her shark show received five-figure downloads in the first week.

Passionate about making science available to everyone and encouraging all to be ‘community scientists’, Charlotte presents in English and Mandarin Chinese (in 50+ countries and counting), publishes in the scientific literature, writes for The Conversation, hosts a radio show, presents and produces an international podcast and writes fun fact-filled books about the ocean.