Behind the Red Dot.

Deep-sea scientist and science communicator Moronke Harris is stepping into the host role for TEDxVictoria 2026, taking place on October 7th at UVic's Farquhar Auditorium.

This year's theme is Uncharted, a day built around venturing into the unknown. Few people understand that territory better than someone who's built a career studying the deep sea. 

Moronke isn't new to TEDxVictoria. She’s taken the stage with us before as a speaker, and her talk, "The answers lie beneath us: solutions from the deep sea," has reached 57,000 views and counting. Now she's guiding the next group of speakers. Having been in their shoes, Moronke knows what it takes to land a big idea in front of a live audience.

From deep-sea science to the TEDxVictoria stage

Curiosity, adaptability, and experience with the unknown: these are the qualities that define both Moronke's career and this year's theme. She's spent years working in one of the most uncharted environments on the planet (literally!).

Moronke is a deep-sea scientist with experience in climate engineering, blue economy, and intergovernmental research expedition planning on the high seas. Currently completing graduate studies in Oceanography, her research specializes in the alien world of seafloor geysers and on sustainable innovations provided by the most unexplored areas of the ocean. 

As a science communicator and CBC columnist, Moronke reaches more than 500,000 listeners monthly and brings experience across podcasts, keynotes, broadcast formats, and live events. She’s delivered more than 80 presentations, including keynotes at Vancouver Science World’s annual Girls and STEAM Summit and other STEAM events. 

In 2025, Moronke received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her contributions to science communication in Canada. She recently returned from an all-women expedition to Antarctica where she conducted subsea research in one of the planet’s more challenging marine environments.

Save your seat for Uncharted

We're so excited to welcome Moronke back for TEDxVictoria 2026! She’ll be taking the stage along with twelve inspiring speakers. 

From an astronomer exploring the origins of the universe to BC’s former Chief Coroner, each speaker has ventured into uncharted territory—and come back with ideas worth sharing.

Get your tickets now before they sell out for TEDxVictoria on October 7th.