There are no Barriers too Great when it comes to saving our Reefs!
Dr Dean Miller is a world-renowned scientist, award-winning filmmaker, and Australian Geographic-sponsored explorer whose extraordinary career spans the Arctic to the Antarctic, with more than 300 ocean expeditions across the globe. His mission-driven work inspires audiences to think bigger, act boldly, and lead with purpose!
With a PhD in coral reef management and 25 years of frontline research on the Great Barrier Reef, Dean has worked in some of the planet’s most extreme environments—from 18-metre Antarctic storms to 2,500-metre deep-ocean ROV missions, to up-close encounters with polar bears, minke whales, tiger sharks and turtles. Dean is a trusted and respected voice and advocate for our oceans, specifically the Great Barrier Reef and climate change issues, and is also a Fellow with the Climate Council.
A dynamic storyteller and international television presenter, Dean has shot, produced, or presented over 50 documentaries for BBC, ABC, National Geographic, Disney Nature, Discovery, Red Bull TV and more—many narrated by Sir David Attenborough. His on-camera roles include Coast Australia, Australian Geographic Explores, Sunday Night, and the ABC’s groundbreaking live broadcasts Reef Live and Southern Ocean Live, where he famously spoke underwater to the world.
As CEO and co-founder of Great Barrier Reef Legacy, Dean leads one of the most ambitious marine conservation initiatives in existence: the Forever Reef Project—the world’s first Living Coral Biobank. His team is racing to collect and preserve all 415 species of Great Barrier Reef hard corals by 2026, safeguarding irreplaceable biodiversity for future research, restoration, and resilience. The project has already secured over one-third of all species and has won major international awards, including the Australian Geographic Award for Nature (Gold Tier), the X-TREME Tech Challenge Australia (1st Place), and the Energy Globe Award for Sustainability.
A passionate advocate for hope, innovation and bold action, Dean inspires audiences with powerful stories of resilience, from remote expeditions to cutting-edge science, and shows how individuals and organisations can create meaningful impact.
He donates 20% of all speaking fees to the Forever Reef Project.
Talking Points
Building a Biobank - one collection to save them all!
The Living Coral Biobank Project will collect and conserve all 400 living species of Great Barrier Reef corals in land-based facilities for their ultimate conservation, and to aid in reef research and restoration efforts. But how do you build a Biobank with a limited budget, no government support, and a sense of urgency that only a rapidly changing climate can induce? Come on a journey we all must go on if we are to protect the biodiversity of Great Barrier Reef corals forever!
Building a Biobank - one collection to save them all!
Extreme expeditions- from pole to pole and everywhere in-between
Dr Dean Miller has specialised in traveling to the most remote, inhospitable, and hard to get to places on earth to document and research wildlife for their protection. From filming whales for Sir David Attenborough to living with fur seals on an Australian Antarctic Research Station, to catching tiger sharks by the tail to track their movements from space, chasing polar bears in the arctic, Dean will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Come on a journey of incredible imagery, tales, and moments that will leave you wanting to pack your backpack and run out into the wilderness!
Extreme expeditions- from pole to pole and everywhere in-between
Ever wanted to be a marine biologist? Ever wanted to make Attenborough documentaries? Me too!
Dr Dean Miller is a scientist, adventurer, and filmmaker who started out in the western suburbs of Melbourne, and ended up filming for Sir David Attenborough and dedicating his life to save the Great Barrier Reef. Follow one of the most adventurous and passionate stories of success that started with the film Jaws and resulted in a life of global adventure, research, and passion that only gets more interesting as time goes on. Discover how to get your break and leave inspired to take on the world in your own way!
Ever wanted to be a marine biologist? Ever wanted to make Attenborough documentaries? Me too!
Video
Reef Diaries | Dr Dean Miller
Dr Dean Miller is a scientist, multimedia professional, international television presenter, Australian Geographic sponsored explorer, creator and lead scientist of the world's only Living Coral Biobank Project, and a highly respected voice and conservationist for all things Great Barrier Reef.Audio
Dr Dean Miller is a gifted communicator both in words and in person. He has acted as joint presenter on the Australian Geographic travel documentary series AG Explores, including for episode ... keep reading Australian Geographic
Dean recounted his tales of adventure and showed a real passion for protecting the environment. Dean was able to keep our audience engaged and found a real connection with our city's senior leaders. Dean was professional to deal with and a real highlight for our members. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dean and wish him all the very best in making a difference by preserving our environment for future generations.
