Pre-recorded discussion featuring Brian Skerry (National Geographic Explorer and Photographer) and Gregory McGruder (Curator, Global Events, National Geographic)

Brian Skerry is a photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. He is currently featured in the upcoming Disney+ original series Secrets of the Whales, where he traveled the world to chronicle the mysterious and beautiful world of whales. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine. In 2014 he was named a National Geographic Society Photography Fellow, and an NGS Storytelling Fellow in 2017, the same year he was awarded the title of Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year.

For National Geographic magazine, Skerry has covered a wide range of stories, from the harp seal’s struggle to survive in frozen waters to the alarming decrease in the world’s fisheries to dolphin intelligence, all of which were cover stories. A fourth cover story, in February 2017, focused on protecting special underwater ecosystems. During this coverage Skerry produced the first images of a U.S. president underwater.

Gregory McGruder serves as vice president for live events at the National Geographic Society, overseeing its lectures, film screenings, panel discussions, and other public events. Gregory began his career at National Geographic in 1987, and has served on various grant-making committees. He is currently a member of the committee that selects and mentors Fulbright-National Geographic Fellows. Additionally, he frequently takes part in the Society’s Science telling Boot camps in which he trains and coaches grantees on public speaking. For four years, he has served on the jury of the D.C. International Film Festival Circle Award. He also serves on the jury for the Barbados Independent Film Festival, and is a member of the board of the D.C. Environmental Film Festival. Additionally, he serves as vice president of the board of the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative.