![Event - A Conversation with Dr. Bob Ballard and Dr. Mark Abbott](https://www.reaganfoundation.org/media/130037/dr-robert-ballard_bn.jpg?crop=0.22977401203702463,0.20015825344504895,0.16968027468438826,0.33793808475868425&cropmode=percentage&width=230&height=120&rnd=131529828100000000)
![Event - A Conversation with Dr. Bob Ballard and Dr. Mark Abbott](https://www.reaganfoundation.org/media/130037/dr-robert-ballard_bn.jpg?crop=0.22977401203702463,0.20015825344504895,0.16968027468438826,0.33793808475868425&cropmode=percentage&width=230&height=120&rnd=131529828100000000)
DECEMBER 12, 2017
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Reagan Foundation and Institute is pleased to announce that Dr. Bob Ballard, the oceanographic explorer who found the R.M.S. Titanic, will be coming back to the Reagan Library on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Dr. Ballard will be joined onstage by Dr. Mark Abbott, President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), in a discussion entitled, “The Always On, Always Connected Ocean: A New Vision for Ocean Exploration.”
This event is free to attend, however reservations are strongly recommended.
At the height of the Cold War 50 years ago, the U.S. Navy and WHOI worked together to set us on path that would transform our understanding of the ocean and our approach to national security. Today, we are on the cusp of a similar transformation – rather than an ocean that is remote and explored only by experts, we are opening up ocean exploration to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Not only will this transform our science, it will open up new challenges and opportunities for national and environmental security.
Ocean exploration may seem to be far removed from the challenges of today, but the deep ocean continues to be the engine of our planet. Moreover, the excitement of ocean exploration continues to motivate the next generation of scientists and engineers to pursue a career in understanding our ocean planet.
Dr. Ballard and Dr. Abbott will explore these new technologies and how they will enable a new level of engagement between ocean explorers, scientists, and the public.