Oliver Ashford
Senior Program Associate, Ocean Program

Oliver Ashford is a Senior Program Associate in WRI’s Ocean Program, and leads the Ocean Science & Policy sub-team. He is a marine biologist, explorer and intelligence analyst working at the science to policy interface, and with experience in both academia and not-for-profit organisations. Oliver is committed to increasing the understanding of marine environments to encourage their protection, alongside their sustainable use, to help develop a sustainable ocean economy.
At WRI, Oliver works to develop and deliver projects within the Ocean Program, with particular emphasis on leading the coordination of the Ocean Panel’s research agenda through collaborating with experts within and beyond WRI. His research covers topics including the sustainable ocean economy, deep-sea mining, ocean climate solutions (including marine carbon dioxide removal), and the relationship between ocean health and human health and wellbeing.
Prior to joining WRI, Oliver spent over two years as an Intelligence Analyst at the not-for-profit OceanMind, where he worked closely with foreign governments, NGOs and industry to provide intelligence reports and advice on the protection and sustainable use of marine resources. Before this, he undertook post-doctoral research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California, where he investigated the sensitivity of Costa Rican deep-sea environments to human disturbance. As part of this project, he collected seafloor samples at over 1000 metres depth in the submarine Alvin.
Oliver holds a PhD in Deep-Sea Ecology from the University of Oxford, an MSc in Taxonomy and Biodiversity from Imperial College London, and a BA in Natural Sciences (Zoology) from the University of Cambridge. He has authored over 25 scientific publications, and has presented his work across Europe, North America, Central America and Africa.
Oliver lives in the Chilterns, UK, with his wife, young son, and two cats. Beyond work, he enjoys playing violin and guitar, canoeing, surfing, fencing, cycling, and spending time in nature.
Insights
External Publications
Projects
High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectAlso known as the “Ocean Panel,” this unique initiative of 18 serving world leaders aims to build momentum toward a sustainable ocean economy.
Part of Ocean