eXXpedition

MAKING THE UNSEEN SEEN
The All-Women Sailing Crew Tryingt o Save the Ocean of Plastic

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Dr. Kathy is part of the Exxpedition’s team.

ABOUT EXXPEDITION

eXXpedition, the Community Interest Company behind Round the World 2019-2021, specialises in all-women sailing trips with a focus on highlighting the devastating impact single-use plastic and toxics from land-based activities are having on our planet’s oceans, ecosystems and on human health. Previous research carried out by eXXpedition has highlighted the endemic nature of microplastics within our ocean environments globally and the increasing potential impact they have on human health.

eXXpedition was founded in 2014 by ocean advocate Emily Penn and Dr Lucy Gilliam to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. eXXpedition became a Community Interest Company in 2017. 

You can read more information about our team here: www.exxpedition.com

AIMS OF EXXPEDITION

  • To collect scientific samples to feed into large-scale studies

  • To explore the scale of plastic pollution and the available solutions

  • To facilitate collaboration opportunities between the diverse crew of women – artists, scientists, filmmakers, sustainability professionals, businesswomen, sailors and so much more

  • To empower the all-female crew to become more effective ocean ambassadors

  • To carry out outreach events, where possible, to engage local communities and generate press coverage


AIMS OF EXXPEDITION ROUND THE WORLD

  • Support solutions-based science by contributing to world class scientific studies that are urgently needed to inform up-stream solutions and close the loop on plastic waste on land

  • Challenge perceptions by using our platform to inform and educate so that people can better understand the real problem of micro-plastics and use that to shape actions and solutions  

  • Create a community of change-makers and inspiring global ambassadors to tackle plastic pollution back on dry land. During their ocean experience participants discover the power of their individual roles in addressing the issues. Empowered by their first hand experience at sea we provide the tools, confidence and support they need to become effective leaders that can influence meaningful impact through their personal and professional communities.


SCIENCE ON BOARD

For our Round the World voyages, eXXpedition will work in partnership with internationally-recognised ocean plastic experts to carry out plastics-related citizen science, both at sea and on shore. 

Professor Richard Thompson and his team of scientists at the University of Plymouth will be taking the lead on our sea-based science programme, while the collaboration with Dr Jenna Jambeck and the University of Georgia will be focused on land impacts. The impacts on local communities will be measured using a Circularity Assessment Protocol, developed at the University of Georgia, which looks at everything from waste washed up on coastlines to plastics in community shops.