Katy Croff Bell

Dr. Katy Croff Bell is a deep-sea explorer advancing innovative approaches to understand the deep ocean. She is a National Geographic Explorer and the Founder and President of Ocean Discovery League. Bell is accelerating deep-sea exploration by combining targeted exploration, low-cost technologies, and capacity building to make access to the deep sea more efficient and accessible to all. Her background in ocean engineering, maritime archaeology, and geological oceanography, along with leadership of dozens of expeditions worldwide, uniquely positions her to develop efficient, equitable systems that broaden access to the deep sea.

Previously, Bell was the Founding Director of the Open Ocean Initiative at the MIT Media Lab, which was dedicated to developing programs for low-cost, distributed deployment of new and emerging technologies for ocean exploration and community building. As Executive Vice President of the Ocean Exploration Trust, she led the development of exploration, research, and education activities for E/V Nautilus, including the management of scientists, engineers, educators, and students from 30+ countries who worked together to conduct telepresence-enabled expeditions around the world.

Bell was Vice Chair of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee in 2017-2019. She was a 2001 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, 2006 National Geographic Emerging Explorer, 2014 MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow, 2017-2020 National Geographic Fellow, 2019 AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, and 2025 Explorers Club EC50 Honoree. Bell holds an S.B. in ocean engineering from MIT, an M.Sc. in maritime archaeology from the University of Southampton, and a Ph.D. in geological oceanography from the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.