A series of all-women voyages
to make the unseen seen
eXXpedition is a Community Interest Company and not-for-profit organisation that runs pioneering all-women sailing research expeditions at sea and virtually voyages on land to investigate the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution.
Founded in 2014, we have run expeditions all over the world. Previous scientific research has highlighted the endemic nature of microplastics within our ocean environments globally. Our focus now is to advance a better understanding of the plastics issue as a whole and to work with individuals and industry to pinpoint solutions and policy at a global level by addressing knowledge-gaps and delivering evidence to inform effective solutions.
Our Key Aims
Through all our activities we seek to:
SUPPORT SOLUTIONS 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
SHIFT 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
by empowering our network of inspiring leaders to create shifts in their community and beyond in order to tackle plastic pollution back on dry land
OUR APPROACH
We empower multidisciplinary all-women crews on voyages by conducting scientific research, exploring solutions and understanding how their unique skill sets can intersect the issue.
Each eXXpedition voyage is designed to encourage collaboration between crew members and community groups, and to open conversations around women leadership, personal and environmental awareness, and cultural and societal shifts.
Our impact continues after each voyage. Invigorated by their first-hand experience at sea, we provide the tools, confidence and support our crew members need to inspire and affect behavioural change in their personal and professional communities back on dry land.
Voyages of Discovery
At sea and on land
eXXpedition voyages take place as at at sea expeditions and on land as virtual voyages. Our virtual experiences are a combination of the best of our at sea missions and the power of technology and enable us to scale up the number of women experiencing our programme and becoming effective ambassadors for change.
In either case, each member of our multidisciplinary crew shares their own experiences, supports novel and innovative scientific research, participates in workshops to find where they fit in creating solutions and explores collaboration opportunities with other members of the team.
After completing their voyage, each guest crew has an opportunity to join our already thriving network of eXXpedition ambassadors through our SHiFT Community hub.
It’s a place to connect and collaborate to really drive change back on land and is packed with opportunities, events and resources and regular focused sessions where we’ll explore different aspects of the plastic pollution issue and tangible solutions.
eXXpedition also runs creative, participatory workshops, talks and outreach events in collaboration with local and international organisations, communities and our wider stakeholders.
WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
MAKING THE UNSEEN, SEEN
UNSEEN WOMEN
There is a lack of diversity in role models in both STEM professions and in exploration and sporting events. We assemble crews of inspiring role models and help address the balance.
UNSEEN POLLUTION
There is an evidence base building that environmental exposure from chemicals associated with plastics and pollution is impacting women’s health. We want to better understand the links between health of the environment and our bodies.
UNSEEN SOLUTIONS
Trying to clean up ocean plastic won’t work alone. What’s needed is multidisciplinary action working from every angle to explore solutions that stem the flow of plastic at the source, before it reaches the sea, in new and innovative ways.
