My Story

I am a Professor of Education and Environment, a marine scientist and a yoga, meditation and breathwork teacher.

I am deeply passionate about education, working as an educator in marine biology, sustainability and conservation for over 20 years. My teaching spans the classroom, the lab, the field and I have led marine expeditions, field courses and research across the globe including Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, Jamaica, Fiji, England, Scotland, Greece, Croatia and Belize.

My research focusses on innovative and contemplative education, environmental and systemic change, regenerative growth, reefs, fisheries, sustainable solutions and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

I am the author/co-author of over 30 peer reviewed publications and book chapters see here for list.

During my tenure in higher education and leadership, I developed degrees at Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc), numerous innovative modules and have supervised 100s of undergraduates, masters as well as several PhD research projects to successful completion. Please see my higher education website for more details www.leannehepburn.com.

I am passionate about collaboration and have worked with amazing people and organizations, including business, charities, NGOs, government and industry, to understand and protect marine and coastal habitats across the globe. I talk about this in my Professorial Inaugural lecture here. (44mins-1.16mins)

Since my yoga teacher training a few years ago, I created Ocean Breath Yoga which merges my two great loves of yoga and the ocean!

I offer in person and online vinyasa yoga with meditation and breathwork as well as worldwide retreats and an online CPD course for yoga teachers – The Aquapranayama Method , which links breathwork, pranayama, yoga, meditation with an energetic connection to water and watery spaces see here.