Meet the team
the crew
Oceanic Research Institute explores the unknown to discover new knowledge about our oceans.
Core Team
Earle de Blonville, FRGS
Oceanic Research Instiute Director & CEO
- Adjunct Professional Fellow
- Southern Cross University, NSW, Australia
Award: QEII Silver Jubilee Award (Greenland Expedition)
Earle is co-founder of Oceanic Research Institute (ORI), responsible for long-term development of shore-based and oceanic programs and international research partnerships. He is supervising skipper of the fleet of Research Expedition Vessels (REVs) and will personally lead ORI’s first two Arctic expeditions. Earle is a veteran Arctic explorer, having led Australia’s first expedition to East Greenland in 1985-86, with the Prince of Wales as Patron. To watch the trailer of Savage Coast, Earle’s one-hour documentary of this expedition, click on the video link below.
Professor Jennifer M. Gidley, PhD
Oceanic Research Institute Director & Director of Research
- Adjunct Professor, Institute for Sustainable Futures
- UTS University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Award: Chancellor’s Gold Medal (Doctoral Research)
Jennifer co-founded the Oceanic Research Institute (ORI) driven by her growing concern about climate crisis, the plight of the oceans, and threats to small island nations and coastal cities from sea level rise. As Director of Research she is responsible for ORI’s long and short term research programs, and contributes significantly from her academic and leadership experience as a researcher in ‘sustainable futures’.
Paul Snelgrove, LLB
Oceanic Research Institute Director & Corporate Lawyer
- SSI Dive Control Specialist
- Former Vice President & Dive Coordinator of Queensland Nautilus Scuba Club
Paul joined the Oceanic Research Institute as Director in March 2019. He has extensive business experience, including corporate law, residential property development, holiday accommodation and adventure tour operations. His strong entrepreneurial energy and flair will help drive ORI’s development. Paul will manage legal frameworks, compliance and insurances for our international operations.
Arnold Toynbee, A.Inst. IB, Cert. Bus. Mgmt.
Oceanic Research Institute Chief Operating Officer
- Chartered Quantity Surveyor UK
- Business Management Specialist
Arnold joins Oceanic Research Institute (ORI) as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for business planning and management of global research expeditions, and overall GHQ operations in Australia. Originally a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in the UK, and qualified Business Management specialist in Australia, Arnold has a quarter century in corporate IT with roles including Managing Director of Australian and international companies.
Richard Mitry, LLB
Oceanic Research Institute Corporate Counsel
- Partner: Mitry Lawyers
Richard is a founding partner of Mitry Lawyers, Sydney and Melbourne, and is ORI’s Corporate Counsel. His main areas of practice are defamation and media, property and environmental law, commercial litigation, and insolvency.
Sonja Ceri, MA, Economic Geography
Oceanic Research Institute Chief Marketing Officer
- Agency Owner, Four Drunk Parrots
Australian-based CMO Sonja Ceri has almost 20 years experience in journalism and agency directorship roles in Europe and Australia, plus senior roles as Marketing Strategist, CMO and Hubspot Partner.
Women & Oceans
“No water. No Life. No Blue. No Green.” – Sylvia Earle.
SDG 5 & 14
Oceanic Research Institute is aware of the need to seek gender balance in oceanic research, marine sciences and STEM studies. We support UN SDG 5: Gender Equality.
We seek EOI’s from women researchers, advisors, crew & sponsors. Please apply below.
‘It is mankind’s responsibility to ensure that the future of the ocean is safeguarded.”
– Bertarelli Foundation
For questions, information or you want to Sponsor, Partner or Collaborate with us, click on ‘Contact Us’.
To donate, click on the ‘GiveNow’ Button below.
Office
Ballina
EMAIL US
GHQ@ori.net.au
Call Us
+61 2 6686 0117