Dr. Liberty Boyd

Dr. Liberty Boyd Speaking Topics

• Oceans of Impact: Finding Purpose in a Changing Planet

  What does it mean to live with purpose when the planet you love is under threat? After years in the field tracking endangered sea turtles and witnessing firsthand the changing tide of our ecosystems, Liberty Boyd invites audiences to explore what it means to create a meaningful life rooted in stewardship, science, and self-awareness.

  This session dives into the emotional and ethical connections we share with nature, and how tapping into those connections can drive both personal fulfillment and collective action. Liberty shares powerful lessons from the natural world—on resilience, adaptation, and interconnectedness—that can inspire us to live and lead with intention. Discover how your everyday choices create ripple effects far beyond your immediate reach, and why the health of the ocean is a mirror of our own internal well-being.

  Through storytelling, science, and heart, Liberty empowers audiences to align their values with their actions and become active participants in shaping a future that is not only sustainable—but deeply meaningful.

• The Resilient Ocean: What Sea Turtles Teach Us About Bouncing Back

  Sea turtles have been navigating the oceans for over 100 million years. They’ve survived mass extinctions, shifting climates, and human impacts—and they still return to the same beaches, generation after generation.

  In this inspiring keynote, Liberty Boyd explores how the lessons from sea turtle resilience can help us navigate personal and collective challenges. She connects field research with human psychology, exploring themes of persistence, adaptation, and the importance of returning “home” to our core values. Whether you're leading a team, managing a transition, or looking to reconnect with purpose, this talk offers a hopeful perspective on how nature teaches us to endure, evolve, and thrive.

  Let the turtle be your teacher—and leave with a new lens for resilience.

• From Field to Feed: Empowering Women in STEM Through Science & Storytelling

  What does it look like to be a woman in science, in the field, and online—amplifying your voice while protecting the ocean? In this engaging and empowering session, marine ecologist Liberty Boyd shares her journey from early fieldwork with sea turtles to becoming a visible voice for women in STEM and ocean conservation on social media.

  Through stories of muddy boots, sunrises on remote beaches, and the unexpected power of an Instagram post, Liberty shows how visibility, vulnerability, and authenticity can inspire the next generation of scientists—especially young women. She explores the unique challenges women face in science and fieldwork, the importance of representation, and how platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be used to mentor, educate, and motivate future wave makers.

  This talk is perfect for students, educators, and professionals interested in science communication, conservation careers, and gender equity in STEM. Walk away with inspiration, practical tools, and a renewed sense of why your voice matters—and how to use it.

• Beneath the Surface: Navigating Mental Health in Graduate School

  Suddenly realizing she was having a full blown panic attack, Liberty Boyd reflected on the challenges that brought her to this point, a point where she almost dropped out of her PhD program after 4 years.

  Graduate school can feel like deep water—unpredictable, isolating, and at times overwhelming. For many students in science, especially women and underrepresented groups, the pressure to succeed in a competitive, often uncertain academic environment can take a real toll on mental health.

  In this honest and relatable talk, marine biologist Liberty Boyd shares her personal journey through the emotional highs and lows of graduate school—from imposter syndrome and burnout to building resilience and community. Drawing parallels between the ecosystems she studies and the inner worlds we all carry, Liberty invites students and mentors to rethink what success really means, and how we can create space for authenticity, rest, and joy in academic life. Liberty leaves listeners with an inspiring message that even after the chaos, she was still about to become DOCTOR Liberty Boyd.

  This session offers practical tools for managing mental health, setting boundaries, and finding purpose beyond productivity. Whether you’re just starting grad school or mentoring someone who is, you'll leave feeling seen, supported, and reminded that you’re not alone beneath the surface.