Arlington, Virginia Jun 13, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Amid the global spotlight on the ocean this month, one voice is rising to the surface with clarity and creativity. Marine biologist and composer Heather Spence is being celebrated not just for what she studies—but for how she invites us to experience it.
Her TEDx talk “Listen Like a Fish” was just named a TEDx Editor’s Pick for June, one of the highest honors TEDx confers. This means Spence’s talk, filmed at TEDxGeorgeMasonU, will be spotlighted across TED’s global social media and YouTube channels starting Friday, June 20. A direct alert will also go out to TEDx subscribers, massively increasing its reach.
“When I suggested soundscape tourism, that really seemed to resonate with people. Don't just take photos—record sounds and make sonic memories! You might even choose to go somewhere because of the way it sounds,” said Spence.
For over 20 years, Spence has been pioneering underwater acoustic monitoring, placing microphones on the ocean floor to capture the intricate underwater world of marine life—from shrimp crackles to lobster scratches to the subtle hum of a thriving reef. Her work has had ripple effects across ocean conservation, policymaking, and education.
In Listen Like a Fish, she urges viewers to become more attuned to their own soundscapes, from the ocean to everyday life. Drawing on both science and music, Spence explores how sound influences our decisions, emotions, and health, whether we realize it or not.
Spence’s broader career spans neuroscience, acoustic ecology, and musical composition. Her passive acoustic monitoring work on the MesoAmerican Reef was featured in the award-winning documentary World of Sound and inspired a viola da gamba composition titled Vale la Pena?, commissioned by the Mexican government.
Spence is also a performer and conservation advocate, often integrating original music into her presentations to create a multi-sensory educational experience. Whether she’s in a lab or on stage, her message is clear: sound matters.
Virtual Launch Party – Join the Conversation
To commemorate the TEDx honor, Heather will host a virtual watch party on Saturday, June 21, at 5 PM Eastern. Attendees from around the world can watch her ~13-minute talk, engage in live chat, and discuss how sound can reshape our connection with nature.
The party will be hosted via Google Meet and is open to the public. RSVP by emailing info@heatherspence.net or visiting the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/4079525242331199/
This Ocean Month, instead of only watching the waves, try listening.
Learn more about Heather Spence and her work at www.HeatherSpence.net.
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