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Robert Ballard

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5 out of 5
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Renowned Ocean Explorer, Scientist, Retired Navy Officer & Professor of Oceanography

Robert Ballard
Travels From Travels From:
Connecticut, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $30,000 - $50,000
Virtual Event: $10,000 - $20,000
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Categories Categories:
Adventure, Animals & Wildlife, Athlete, Authors, Biology, Business, Celebrity, Climate Change, Conservation, Creativity, Earth Day, Energy, Entertainers, Environment, Environmental Activism, Environmental Science, History, Human Resources, Innovation, Inspirational, Leadership, Literary, Motivational, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Political, Science, Security & Defense, Sports, Storytelling, Sustainability, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Technology, TED, Travel
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Robert Ballard Biography

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the TITANIC, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship BISMARCK, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier YORKTOWN (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT-109.

While those discoveries have captured the imagination of the public, Dr. Ballard believes his most important discoveries were of hydrothermal vents and “black smokers” in the Galapagos Rift and East Pacific Rise in 1977 and 1979 along with their exotic life forms living off the energy of the Earth through a process now called chemosynthesis.

In addition to being a National Geographic Society Explorer-At-Large and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Dr. Ballard is the president of the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), and a Research Scholar at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

Ballard was born June 30, 1942, in Wichita, KS but moved to California at a very young age and grew up exploring the shore in San Diego. Dr. Ballard has a Ph.D. in marine geology and geophysics from the URI/GSO. He spent 30 years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where he helped develop telecommunications technology to create “tele-presence” for his education initiative, which allows hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren to accompany him from afar on undersea explorations around the globe each year. In 2001, he returned to the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island where he is presently a tenured Professor of Oceanography.

Dr. Ballard has 23 honorary degrees and six military awards. He was also a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving in the Navy from 1967 to 1997. He received the National Geographic Society’s prestigious Hubbard Medal in 1996 for “extraordinary accomplishments in coaxing secrets from the world’s oceans and engaging students in the wonder of science.” In 2014, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Ballard has published numerous books, scientific papers, and a dozen articles in National Geographic magazine. Dr. Ballard also has been featured in several National Geographic television programs, including the record-breaking “Secrets of the TITANIC” and, in October of 2019, “Expedition Amelia.” In 2021, his autobiography, Into the Deep was released and a National Geographic special, streaming on Disney +, “Bob Ballard: An Explorer’s Life” is an intimate look at his personal and professional life.

His discoveries also include sunken remains of ships along ancient trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea; two ancient Phoenician ships off Israel, the oldest shipwrecks ever found in deep water; and four 1,500-year-old wooden ships, one almost perfectly preserved in the Black Sea. Dr. Ballard’s Black Sea project seeks evidence of a great flood that may have struck the region thousands of years ago.

His 1997 best-selling book, "Lost Liners," tells the story of the great transatlantic liners through memorable wrecks he has visited. Dr. Ballard was also a special advisor on Steven Spielberg’s futuristic "Sea Quest," DSV television show.

An explorer, discoverer and historian, Dr. Ballard’s fascinating journeys can teach us a great deal about our past, and they have encouraged others to take tremendous strides in the survey of the undiscovered mysteries of the deep sea.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/03/2024.

Robert Ballard Speaking Topics

  • Adventures in Deep Sea Exploration: Living the Dream.

    Dr. Robert Ballard, President of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and Director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, is best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic. Ballard is now using advanced technology to create a new field of research in deep water archaeology. At the Institute for Exploration's Challenge of the Deep exhibit hall, as well as with his Jason Foundation for Education, Ballard hopes to inspire young people to pursue learning in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery. This past summer he used satellite and internet technologies to bring thousands of students around the world into direct contact with his team while on location in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

    In his talk, through the use of stunning high quality images and personal accounts, Dr. Ballard will present his most recent work in deep water archaeology and the technology of tele-presence. He discusses motivating people to think outside the box, learning how to deal with failure-that failure is just a step along the way to success, motivating children to choose careers in math, science and engineering; and how to live your dream. Ballard is a dynamic speaker who will have your audience on the edge of their seats wanting to start a whole new career in exploration!

  • Deep Sea Exploration

    Dr. Ballard shares his conclusions of his numerous expeditions to search for, locate and document sites of historical significance and the emerging science of deep water archeology.

    "An Evening of Exploration with Dr. Robert Ballard" "Thinking out of the box and taking risks to achieve long-term goals." "Where are the Boundaries of Achievement? : Push the Envelope" "Great Goals Require a Team to Achieve" "Hire People Smarter Than Yourself" "Your Dreams and Passions Provide you with the Motivation" "Overcome Failure to find Success." "Life is Not Failure Avoidance"

  • The Personal Account of How the Titanic Was Found, and a Look into the Future

    Dr. Ballard shares his incredible story of the significant discovery of the Titanic, the advanced technology he used for this world famous expedition, and whats ahead for the future in deep sea exploration.

  • Living the Dream

    Dr. Ballard speaks about how he has turned his dreams into reality by taking risks and learning how to face failure and turn it into success.

Robert Ballard Videos

  • Exploring America's Last Fronteir | Robert Ballard ...
    Exploring America's Last Fronteir | Robert Ballard ...
    Did you know that 95% of the human race lives on less than 5% of the earth? In this talk, Robert Ballard describes the importance of ocean ...
  • The new age of ocean exploration | Robert Ballard | TEDxURI ...
    The new age of ocean exploration | Robert Ballard | TEDxURI ...
    Among the most accomplished and well known of the world's deep-sea explorers , Dr. Robert Ballard is best known for his historic discoveries of ...
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Robert Ballard Books

  • Finding the Titanic Level 4
    Finding the Titanic Level 4

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  • What topics does Robert Ballard speak about?

    Robert Ballard is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Animals & Wildlife, Athlete, Authors, Biology, Business, Celebrity, Climate Change, Conservation, Creativity, Earth Day, Energy, Entertainers, Environment, Environmental Activism, Environmental Science, History, Human Resources, Innovation, Inspirational, Leadership, Literary, Motivational, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Political, Science, Security & Defense, Sports, Storytelling, Sustainability, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Technology, TED, Travel.

  • Where does Robert Ballard travel from?

    Robert Ballard generally travels from Connecticut, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Robert Ballard for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Robert Ballard for your next private or corporate function.

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Robert Ballard is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Adventures in Deep Sea Exploration: Living the Dream., Deep Sea Exploration, The Personal Account of How the Titanic Was Found, and a Look into the Future and Living the Dream. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robert Ballard for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Robert Ballard generally travels from CT, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Alexandra Cousteau, David Suzuki, Sylvia Earle, Erin Brockovich and Dan Buettner. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robert Ballard for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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