Asia Shark Research and Conservation Leadership Workshop 2025
In July 2025, 25 delegates from around Asia joined us in Palawan, Philippines for our 2nd capacity building workshop.
Over six days in Palawan, participants developed strategic capacity across three core areas:
Strategic Skills & Planning
Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies, organizational planning, goal-setting frameworks, communications approaches, and sustainable financing.
Leadership & Resilience
Self-awareness and reflection practices, managing burnout and sustainable work practices, navigating difficult conversations and conflict, personal and professional development planning.
Community & Connection
Peer learning and collaboration, cross-cultural professional networks, shared problem-solving, and ongoing support systems.
We also covered technical conservation skills including social science methodologies, data analysis and visualization, science communication, and field applications.
What changed
100% of participants reported increased confidence in their ability to conduct effective conservation work in Asia
95% feel more connected to the regional conservation community
90% report the workshop addressed the specific challenges they face in their work
100% rated overall satisfaction as 4 or 5 out of 5
Thank you to our partners at the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute (LAMAVE) for their on-the-ground support for the workshop.
Special thanks to our funders for enabling this workshop:
Impact in Numbers
25
Participants
9
Countries
In their words:
"I've met and networked with shark researchers around Asia here and their work really inspires me and I've learnt so much from their experiences. Also the fact that we spoke about sensitive topics like sustainable conservation and burnout, and what all we can do to navigate our way out. I feel less alone and know that I have people to talk to."
— 2025 Workshop Participant
"Definitely after taking the inspiration from everyone around me and all that was taught in the workshop I can work towards my purpose in a more intentional, strategic way. It has helped me think things through and has really provided the framework to not only organise my thoughts and mission but also have a broader view of the work I want to do."
— 2025 Workshop Participant
"I now have support, people that have gone through what I went through before. Shared experiences. The workshop gives me the boost to work on my technical skills too!"
— 2025 Workshop Participant
"This workshop highlighted that there are different avenues for conservation. Conservation work has many aspects I was not aware of before. I liked the variety of different topics that were covered. It was NEVER boring."
— 2025 Workshop Participant
"The stakeholder mapping and how to approach them strategically was really useful. My organisation has been functioning on survival mode and this feels like the fuel I need before I step up in so many ways."
— 2025 Workshop Participant
"What surprised me most was how much personal insight I gained in such a short time. I came in expecting to learn technical content or structured knowledge, but I found myself challenged to think more deeply about my own perspectives, habits, and assumptions. I was also surprised by how open and honest the group discussions became—it created a strong sense of connection and mutual learning."
— 2025 Workshop Participant
