Our Team
Meet the Team
Meet the people helping Mermaids Beyond Borders make ocean knowledge, education, and conservation more accessible and connected to communities.
Tsian Deslandes
Founder
Tsian founded and leads Mermaids Beyond Borders, a community-driven ocean education and conservation organisation making ocean science, marine science and marine conservation accessible to all. MBB currently focuses on the barriers disabled people face in accessing ocean knowledge, marine education and conservation.
She leads strategic direction, programme development, partnerships and community engagement across MBB’s three strands: The Ocean Atlas, Ocean Echoes and A Tide We Make.
Education and experience
- First Class BSc (Hons) Ocean Science with Marine Conservation, University of Plymouth.
- Currently studying MSc Marine Systems and Policies at the University of Edinburgh.
Sophie Harley
Education and Outreach Officer
Sophie develops and coordinates MBB’s educational seminar series, including the Ocean Webinar Series. She advances accessibility and inclusion across MBB’s educational work, helping make programmes welcoming, informative and equitable for participants.
Education and experience
- BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, University of Plymouth.
- Currently undertaking a Research Masters in Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth, researching lobster physiology, behaviour and conservation with the National Lobster Hatchery.
Alexandra Johnson
Funding and Development
Alexandra supports MBB’s funding work, bringing knowledge of the funding landscape to help strengthen the organisation’s approach to resourcing its work.
Education and experience
- First Class BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography, University of Plymouth.
- Currently a PhD student at the University of Plymouth, studying heatwaves in the intertidal zone.