Dr Jon Copley BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD
Associate Professor in Ocean Exploration & Public Engagement
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Dr Jon Copley is Associate Professor in Ocean Exploration and Public Engagement (part-time) within Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton at the University of Southampton.
No human eye had glimpsed this part of the planet before us, this pitch-black country lighted only by the pale gleam of an occasional spiralling shrimp (Otis Barton, The World Beneath The Sea, 1953)
Jon's research explores the patterns of life in deep-sea environments, which cover most of our planet and face increasing impacts from climate change, pollution, and extraction of resources. By studying island-like seafloor habitats such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, Jon's research includes ecology ("who does what"), biogeography ("who lives where"), and evolution ("who is related to whom") in the deep ocean. His research grants include investigations of deep-sea chemosynthetic environments in the Caribbean, Indian, Atlantic and Southern Oceans; the evolution of animal life at hydrothermal vents; and the impacts of deep-sea mining.
Jon's experience in ocean exploration includes planning and leading multidisciplinary expeditions aboard research ships, using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Human-Occupied Vehicles (HOVs), and discovering new species of deep-sea animals. He took part in the first dive of a human-occupied vehicle to the world's deepest known hydrothermal vents, 5 km down on the ocean floor, and the first human-occupied vehicle dives to reach 1 km deep in the Antarctic.
Jon is a Scientific Associate of the Natural History Museum in London, and a National Geographic Explorer. His work includes advising policymakers on the protection of deep-sea habitats, and he is an Advisory Board Member for the international Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). He previously served as Co-Chair of the InterRidge organisation for international cooperation in research at mid-ocean ridges, and he was Science Coordinator of the UK's Autosub Under Ice research programme.
Jon has taught marine ecology and oceanography since 2000, and he currently leads a module in Deep-Sea Ecology for BSc, MSci, MSc and MRes students. He was Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes in Ocean & Earth Science, and Lead Educator in the creation of a free online course about Exploring Our Oceans. He has received Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching and for Postgraduate Supervision & Training, and been nominated several times by students for Students' Union teaching awards.
In the public engagement part of his role, Jon works with documentary-makers to share the exploration of the deep ocean with people worldwide, for example as a science advisor and onscreen contributor for BBC Blue Planet II, and he routinely interacts with broadcasters and news media to raise awareness of deep-sea issues and discoveries.
Jon is the author of the book Ask An Ocean Explorer and occasionally writes articles for publications such as New Scientist, having previously been a full-time Reporter and Assistant News Editor at the magazine. He often talks about exploring the deep ocean at public events and festivals, and he is a recipient of the Royal Society of Biology Science Communication Award for Established Researchers and the British Science Association Charles Lyell Award Lecture for Environmental Sciences. Through his public engagement work, Jon has led the production of Impact Case Studies for the REF2014 and REF2021.
Outside the University, in 2006 Jon co-founded SciConnect Ltd with colleagues in science journalism, creating a capacity-building company that has trained more than 15,000 scientists in how to communicate their work with wider audiences. Jon has worked as a Director of the company as it has developed training programmes for clients including research institutions, government agencies, NGOs and companies across the UK and in Europe.
Other current roles:
Since 2021: Advisory Board Member, Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI)
Since 2014: Scientific Associate of the Natural History Museum, London
Since 2011: National Geographic Explorer
Since 2006: Co-founder and Director of SciConnect Ltd
Previous roles:
2007-2017: Lecturer, then Associate Professor in Marine Ecology, University of Southampton
2010-2012: Co-Chair of the Interidge organisation for international cooperation in research at mid-ocean ridges
2000-2007: Teaching Fellow, then Senior Teaching Fellow in Marine Ecology, University of Southampton
2000-2004: Science Coordinator, UK Autosub Under Ice research programme
1998-1999: Reporter, then Assistant News Editor, New Scientist magazine
Awards & nominations
Nominated by students for Students' Union "Most Engaging Lecturer" award 2019
Shortlisted for Vice-Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement 2018
Highly Commended in Boat International Media & Blue Marine Foundation's The Ocean Awards 2016
Nominated by students for Students' Union "Outstanding lecturer", "Innovative teaching" & "Lifetime achievement" awards 2013
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Postgraduate Supervision and Training 2011
Royal Society of Biology Science Communication Award for Established Researchers 2008
Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award 2007
British Science Association Charles Lyell Award Lecture for Environmental Sciences 2007
Education
PhD in Oceanography, University of Southampton, 1998
MSc in Oceanography, University of Southampton, 1994
- John Raymont Memorial Prize for top performance
First Class BSc(Hons) in Zoology, University of Sheffield, 1992
- JD Jones Prize for top performance