Visibility is important to help inspire the next generations.
Dr. Vanessa Pirotta is one of Australia’s most recognised wildlife scientists and a leading voice in science communication. Known for blending cutting-edge technology with conservation, her work spans both marine (whales) and terrestrial (illegal wildlife traffic detection) environments—bringing the natural world closer through innovation and storytelling.
A trailblazer in making science accessible, Vanessa has represented Australia on the global stage as the international runner-up in the prestigious FameLab competition, and she’s graced the TEDx stage. She’s been named one of the Top 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review and a Superstar of STEM by Science & Technology Australia.
In 2024, she was named Emerging Leader in Science at the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. In 2025, Vanessa was awarded the NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence, Celestino’s Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science in the Australian Museum’s Eureka’s Prizes (Australian Oscars of science), named the Young Tall Poppy of the Year for New South Wales by the Australian Institute of Policy & Science and was awarded the internationally prestigious 2025 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications presented in Washington DC Nov 2025.
Vanessa’s work is deeply community-driven. She leads an international whale research program in the Kingdom of Tonga called the Tongan Whale Tourism Project, designed to empower local communities to help ensure the longevity and sustainability of whale swim tourism. Locally she runs Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science initiative exploring marine life in collaboration with the Gamay Rangers—local First Nations rangers—blending Indigenous Knowledge with scientific research to better understand marine mammals in Sydney’s blue backyard.
As an award-winning author, Vanessa brings the magic of the ocean across generations in her children’s and adult books. Vanessa was the invited MC for Australia’s most prestigious science event—the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science—held at Parliament House in Canberra. She is a regular face on national and international media, appearing across television, radio, and social platforms to advocate for marine science and environmental awareness.
In 2025 Vanessa delivered her first National Press Club of Australia with a talk titled "Australia's Scientific Future: Built on Education, Connection, and Investment".
Talking Points
A Day in the Life of a Scientist
It took many years to complete my studies to finally become Dr V. Find out what it's like to be a wildlife scientist. From being out on a boat with whales to making discoveries in the lab and to disseminating information widely, find out what it takes to be modern world scientist.A Day in the Life of a Scientist
A key component of being a scientist is having the ability to learn and give things ago and for Vanessa, it's all about bringing awareness to the diversity of female scientists doing amazing things.
Who is this for:
A younger demographic, primary to high school ages. It is also great for people looking for transformation and wanting to overcome challenges.
Key takeaways:
- Tools for making your passion reality.
- Goal setting.
- Acknowledgment of transferable skillsets.
Investing in Australia's Scientific Future: Built on Education, Connection, and Investment.
Vanessa provides expertise on how scientists can work with different stakeholders to collectively build the next generation of decision makers.
Investing in Australia's Scientific Future: Built on Education, Connection, and Investment.
Becoming an Effective Communicator
Communication is important in everyday life, whether it be at home or in the office. Vanessa has a number of years as a presenter, science communicator and animal trainer (having trained sea lions, dolphins and primates). This unique experience has enabled Vanessa to explore concepts between human and animal communication. Becoming an Effective Communicator
Who is this for:
Founders, entrepreneurs, small business owners, teams going through disruption or transformation, people looking for happiness and balance.
Key takeaways
- Think before acting. Why it is why we do what we do.
- Understanding the behaviour of others.
- Ideas around positive reinforcement.
Multitasking parents
Working for the future of the environment, whilst raising the future.
Multitasking parents
Overcoming Challenges
As a marine scientist researching whales, I have faced a number of challenges, some of which have included logistics, safety, working with wild animals and worked in challenging environments. Overcoming many of these challenges has meant learning new skills (e.g. commercial boating qualifications) and being adaptable. In times where my skills have been limited, I have turned to collaboration. In this topic, I share my story about the challenges of conducting research into whale health. My collaboration with industry to develop custom built drone technology for collecting whale lung bacteria from whale blow (the visible spray from a whale also known as whale snot) highlights the benefits of colourful collaboration to transform the way we research whale health. Takeaways include messages of encouragement, optimism and the benefits of teamwork. Delegates will be taken on a journey outside of their everyday to be inspired to work with others to create something great.
Overcoming Challenges
The Importance of Good Communication
Keeping your message simple, applicable and accessible is key for good communication. My experience as an animal trainer, scientist and educator has provided me with fundamental basics for effective communication, which are applicable to everyday. My role as a science communicator requires me to break down hard concepts into small, relatable pieces of information using my transferable skillset to work across a variety of disciplines. I am able to apply basic communication principles to different themes, providing attendees with thought provoking takeaways.
The Importance of Good Communication
Career Change
Chasing that perfect career takes time and often requires a certain level of experience and qualifications. However, what happens when you achieve that dream and you are left wanting more? Previous roles in the zoological and marine industries have led me to pursue a pure conservation based avenue via academia. Following this path has allowed me to become a champion of diversity, an advocate for women in science and allowed me to discover my passion and the importance of communicating science. Career Change
Key messages include going beyond the norm, asking questions and igniting a desire for learning more. Delegates will be inspired to follow their passion to allow their career path to grow in different directions.
Video
Dr Vanessa Pirotta's Address to the National Press Club of Australia
How AI Is Stopping Wildlife Trafficking | Vanessa Pirotta | TEDxSydney
Is that a lizard in your luggage? A bird in your handbag? The illegal wildlife trade of wildlife is a global problem where wildlife is deliberately moved across borders. In a world first, Dr Vanessa Pirotta and her Australian team demonstrates the use of AI for good, using Xray technology to build trafficking detection algorithms for wildlife smuggled in air cargo and traveller/mail pathways. Vanessa is one of Australia’s most renowned wildlife scientists, pioneering innovative technologies to transform wildlife conservation across marine (whale snot drones) and terrestrial environments (AI to detect illegal wildlife trafficking). A globally recognised science communicator, she is driven by a passion for making science accessible, influential, and inclusive- earning recognition as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence and Science & Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM. Her leadership has been honoured through major accolades including the NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence and an Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science. Vanessa leads impactful, cross-generational research that empowers communities through wildlife, including the Tongan Whale Tourism Project in the Kingdom of Tonga and the creation of the Wild Sydney Harbour citizen science program collaborating with First Nations Gamay Rangers to unite Indigenous Knowledge with cutting-edge science. A celebrated author of acclaimed wildlife books for children and adults, a trusted media voice, and an invited MC for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, Vanessa stands at the forefront of conservation, communication, and leadership—shaping how science is understood, valued, and used to protect our natural world.Dr Vanessa Pirotta talks to ABC about White Whales
Whale facts with Dr Vanessa Pirotta | Play School | ABC Kids
Audio
Vanessa's talk focused not only on the ability technology can have to make a difference in how we research but was also a strong reminder of the interconnectivity of the planet and how we re ... keep reading Federation University Australia
Dr Vanessa Pirotta reminds us the impact of having someone outside of education to inspire our students. An outside voice can reinforce what we're saying with real world wisdom.
Vanessa's an amazing and innovative scientist, who has the rare ability to communicate her research to audiences of any level. She's certainly someone to watch as her career keeps accelerating!
