Hello there,
My name is Matthew Norton and I am the author and creator of Our world under the waves.
Needless to say, I love the ocean, and it’s a love that began, ironically, with the first time I watched Jaws. That great big fish (however inaccurate its portrayal) was the spark, but it was the books and the nature programmes, usually narrated by the great Sir David Attenborough, that really fanned the flame.
Enough to guide me towards studying Marine Biology at Plymouth University, graduating with BSc (Hons) and MRes degrees in 2016 and 2017 respectively. But following these incredible achievements I made the difficult decision to move away from academia and instead follow a career in science communication and engagement.
This is how Our world under the waves came to exist. Best case scenario, there were people out there who would be interested in the articles I publish. Worst case scenario, it would at least keep my mind ‘in the game’ while I worked warehouse shifts back home, building up the necessary funds. Volunteering with marine conservation charities like the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation did not come cheap. I should mention that neither charged me for the privilege, but even with all their support there were still living costs to cover.
These days, I work at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, engaging with visitors about the animals in our tanks and in the ocean beyond. Here, like everywhere I’ve been before, this blog is a powerful, supporting presence. The research I put into each article often finds its way into my conversations with aquarium visitors and vice versa. The same can be said for my upcoming debut novel Shark on a train, which I hope will capture the same intrigue and curiosity that brought you here.
But for now, I hope you enjoy reading these articles and that they leave you even more passionate and intrigued about our world under the waves.
Our world under the waves 