Andreas B. Heide Named to Explorers Club 50, Class of 2026

What Is Explorers Club 50?

Explorers Club 50 (EC50) is an annual recognition awarded to people the world needs to know about. It celebrates modern explorers, scientists, and changemakers whose work expands understanding of our planet and how we protect it.

Selected from across disciplines and geographies, EC50 members are united by a commitment to exploration as a force for progress, education, and stewardship.

A Life Shaped by the Sea

Based in Norway, Andreas is a marine biologist, sailor, and filmmaker who uses his Arctic sailing vessel Barba as a platform for scientific collaboration and storytelling.

Working in high-latitude environments, his expeditions focus on whales, marine ecosystems, and the rapidly changing polar regions. Operating from a small boat with limited resources, Andreas combines scientific research with visual storytelling to make complex environmental challenges accessible to a wider audience.

His work avoids alarmism, instead building emotional connection. Helping people understand why these fragile environments matter, and why they are worth protecting.

Exploration with Responsibility

For Andreas, exploration is inseparable from responsibility. From pack ice dives in Svalbard to extended Arctic passages, his approach is defined by preparation, resilience, and respect for the environments he works within.

The Barba project is currently expanding into structured educational programmes and a feature-length documentary scheduled for release in 2027. Both initiatives are designed to reach new audiences and deepen long-term impact.

A Shared Recognition

While EC50 is an individual honour, Andreas is clear that it reflects the collective effort of the Barba crew and the global network of scientists, educators, and collaborators who support the project.

We are proud to congratulate Andreas on this recognition and to stand alongside those using exploration not for spectacle, but for understanding.

Congratulations, Andreas.