At the National Geographic Society, we aim to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. To achieve this mission, we invest in and elevate bold individuals with transformative ideas. These individuals help shine a light on our shared human experiences, empower the next generation of changemakers, and demonstrate the power of science and exploration to change the world.

That’s why the Society has chosen eight global changemakers as the latest class of Emerging Explorers who will transform their fields and further our understanding of our world and all that’s in it.

These individuals conduct groundbreaking work focused on the rare and wonderful animals that live in deep-sea habitats, the social implications of artificial intelligence, rural and urban rainwater harvesting, protecting Congolese biodiversity, grassroots micro-entrepreneurship, GIS education, and impactful storytelling.