Mensun & Joanna Bound

We are honoured to have Mensun Bound and Joanna Yellowlees-Bound advising the Oxford University Centennial Expeditions.

Mensun is one of the world’s leading maritime archaeologists and is best known for directing the Endurance22 expedition, which discovered Sir Ernest Shackleton’s long-lost ship Endurance beneath the Antarctic ice in 2022. Joanna Yellowlees-Bound has worked alongside Mensun for decades, co-directing major field projects and contributing deep expertise in archaeological methods, field documentation, and team coordination. They began their exploration career through the Oxford University Exploration Club—a connection that makes their involvement with this student-led project particularly special.

Over the course of their career, Mensun and Joanna have worked in some of the world’s most extreme environments, including Antarctica, the South Atlantic, and the high seas. They bring decades of hard-won experience in field logistics, cold-weather leadership, and risk management, and will be supporting the student team as they prepare for the challenges of working in remote polar and sub-polar conditions. Their mentorship will cover critical aspects of expedition safety, leadership, and planning, as well as greater programme administration outside of the expedition itself.

Together, Mensun and Joanna bring a wealth of knowledge and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of explorers. Their involvement continues a longstanding Oxford tradition: experienced alumni helping young explorers take bold steps into the wider world.