I’ve been obsessed with the ocean for as long as I can remember. What started as a reef-aquarium hobby grew into work at a public aquarium, and eventually into a career in marine science. I’m now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Technology Sydney, where my research focuses on improving coral reef resilience in the face of climate change.
On one of our research trips to Groote Eylandt, looking at a potential new species? © Hadley England
Most of my work is on the Great Barrier Reef, but more recently I’ve been travelling to Groote Eylandt in the remote Northern Territory of Australia. There, alongside the local Indigenous ranger group, we’ve been surveying reefs and searching for new coral species. It’s one of the most extreme and unforgettable environments I’ve ever worked in; hot, turbid waters, full of crocodiles and yet the reefs are thriving!
This photo was taken during a multi-day research trip on the Great Barrier Reef. It is on an isolated bommy on the outer reef. © Hadley England
For years I wanted to get into underwater photography, so as a broke student I sold my car and bought my first underwater camera setup. Since then, it’s been with me on every research trip, domestic and international. Reliability matters when you’re working in remote locations, and my Ikelite housing has taken more than its fair share of knocks. To this day it’s still my pride and joy, just a little bit battered and bruised.
On one of our research trips to Groote Eylandt, an unexplored coral reef. © Hadley England
On one of our research trips to Groote Eylandt, handing coral samples up to the rangers. © Hadley England
This is one of the saddest photos i have ever taken, this was during the 2022 bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef. © Hadley England
On one of our research trips to Groote Eylandt, My colleague and I getting ready to go into the water.
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Hadley England is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Technology Sydney where his research focuses on improving coral reef resilience. His research so far has primarily focused on areas within the Great Barrier Reef to Groote Eylandt. To document his research, and his recreation, underwater Hadley uses the Canon EOS R inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing with Canon 16mm and 35mm lenses behind an 8 inch Dome Port. Follow Hadley's journey on Instagram @hadley__england.
