Ferdinando Laconi

Ferdinando Laconi is a natural scientist born in Sardinia, Italy, currently living and working in Athens, Greece. He holds a Degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Sassari (IT) with a graduation in Marine Biology and Ecology. He also holds a professional Master Diploma in Waste Management from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and a Technical Certificate in Agriculture. For his graduate thesis titled: «Biofouling in off-shore fish farms» (2008) he conducted a practical one-year field research project, analysing samples of algae, marine organisms and plants taken from fish farm nets. He has obtained professional experience working as a lifeguard for more than 10 years and is an avid diver (Advanced Open Water Padi) with extensive diving record in Italy, the Red Sea, Egypt and the Aegean Sea. He is also actively involved in beach cleaning activities through different non-governmental organisations in both Greece and Italy. His research interests include the identification of marine species and underwater photography. In 2017 he participated in the interdisciplinary art-science Additivism workshop, organised by Οnassis Cultural Centre in Athens, and since 2019 he collaborates with Greek visual artist Nantia Skordopoulou for the development of an underwater interactive art installation that will be accessible to visitors and serve as a biological station collecting data from the marine environment. The aim of this interdisciplinary collaborative art-science project is to raise awareness on the importance of Posidonia Oceanica Seagrass fields in the Mediterranean marine ecosystem and engage the public in marine conservation activities. In 2020 he founded the Conscious Dives collective and in 2022 he was awarded 3rd prize for the collaborative project “Plastic Futures” at HackS+T+Arts: Circular Futures Hackathon organised by S+T+Arts Regional Centers and Οnassis Cultural Centre in Athens, Greece.

https://www.facebook.com/ConsciousDives