Oceans in the Anthropocene
Arzucan specializes in researching and documenting the complex issues arising where marine megafauna meet society, covering human-animal relationships, extinction, illegal wildlife trafficking and human-wildlife conflict, all the way to fisheries interactions and the impacts of tourism on marine life.
She holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford (with Distinction), where her research examined the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance of whale sharks with Dr Lisa Wedding’s Seascape Ecology Lab. With a background in both human geography and biodiversity science, Arzucan is dedicated to interdisciplinary conservation research and storytelling that bridge the natural and social sciences in the field. Equipped with scientific literacy across the marine and terrestrial world, a never-ending curiosity for the exploration of our beautiful planet and a passion for innovation, she advocates for the protection of biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on it. She is equally as passionate about the exploration of our natural world as she is about human cultures and their relationship with it and is committed to tackling the socio-environmental challenges marine life faces in the Anthropocene.
Arzucan’s work as a conservationist is enriched by her previous work on coastal climate change resilience and marine plastics as part of the World Bank’s West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Program, supported by a joint fellowship from the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Academic Exchange Service and the Mercator Foundation for International Affairs.
Hailing from a family of Turkish immigrants, poets and musicians, intercultural thinking, and a love for the arts are practically distilled in her drinking water. She frequently employs creative approaches in her field research, and loves bringing together empirical science and different forms of storytelling to catalyse positive change. Diving is her greatest passion and most vital research tool.
Past Fieldwork / Media Expeditions
Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Observation of Deep Sea Ecosystems using Baited Autonomous Lander Systems
Miyaru Programme / In collaboration with the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab
Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Photo-ID Collection of Oceanic Manta Ray Aggregations
Manta Trust / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Laser Photogrammetry Assessment of Caribbean Reef Sharks
People of the Water / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Conservation Lessons from Human-Shark Relationships in Fuvahmulah
Pelagic Divers / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
Svalbard, Norway
Arctic Sense Expedition 2021: Acoustic Monitoring Arctic Whale Populations
Barba.no / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
A Social-Ecological Assessment of Whale Shark Tourism and Injuries in the South Ari Atoll MPA
Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
St. John’s Reef, Egypt
Reefscapes of the Deep South: Anthropogenic Impacts on Coral Reefs in Contested Waters
Deco Divers / Supported by the European Rolex Scholarship of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society
Cornwall, United Kingdom
Anthroposea: Applying the Marine Social Sciences in the Field
Oxford University Anthroposea Expedition / Oxford University Expedition Council / Sail Britain
Pulau Gaya, Borneo, Malaysia
Socio-Economic Factors Contributing to Illegal Blast Fishing Activities in Tunku Abdulrahman National Park
Downbelow Wildlife Adventures / Tunku Abdulrahman National Park
Havana, Cuba
Project “Mujeres Tarea Vida”: Gendered Experiences of Climate Change
Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers / Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment / London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Geography and Environment
Crinan, United Kingdom
Marine Social Science Expedition: Marine Microplastics, Blue Economy and Geopolitical Implications of Underwater Cultural Heritage
London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Geography and Environment / Sail Britain / LSE Sustainable Futures Fund
Bethlehem, Palestine
Climate Change and the Securitisation of Water
German Academic Scholarship Foundation / GIZ
Sultanate of Oman
Spatial Distribution of Desert Settlements in the A’Sharqiya Sands
Independent fieldwork
Hong Kong, SAR
Reef Ecology and Species Diversity in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Reserve
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong / Reef Check / Coral Watch / Hong Kong Agriculture and Fisheries Department / World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Sipadan, Borneo, Malaysia
Species ID and Impact of Blast Fishing on Coral Reefs in Sipadan Marine Reserve
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong / Reef Check / Coral Watch / Hong Kong Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Batang Kali, Malaysia
Sustainable Forest Resource Management Practices of the Orang Asli
South East Asian Leadership Network (SEALNet) / EPIC Homes
Fellowships / Academic Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) is the United Kingdom's learned society and professional body for geography, founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences. Today, it is the leading centre for geographers and geographical learning.
Fellow of the Zoological Society London
Founded in 1826 the Zoological Society is the world’s oldest international conservation charity. Devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats it brings together a distinguished network of scientists in the fields of biology, zoology and the life sciences.
Member of the British Ecological Society
The British Ecological Society is a learned society in the field of ecology that was founded in 1913. It is the oldest ecological society in the world. The Society's original objective was "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense" and this remains the central theme guiding its activities today.
Associate of the Linnean Society
Founded in 1788, Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. As it moves into its third century the Society provides a continuous forum for the discussion and advancement of the life sciences. It was at a meeting of the Society in 1858 that papers from Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace outlining the theory of evolution by natural selection were first presented.
Member of the Marine Social Science Network
Launched at the 2nd Society and the Sea Conference, the Marine Social Science Network brings together an international and interdisciplinary community of researchers, practitioners, policy makers and other interested stakeholders to further the discussions around better connecting marine social sciences with existing natural and physical science expertise, supporting the effective marine and coastal management and governance globally.