In the second episode of this season, we’re branching out from the traditional, science-centered sphere of Deep Convection and into a world captured through the lens of Manila-born photojournalist, Hannah Reyes Morales. Hannah and Adam crossed paths a dinner at the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris, where they found themselves immersed in a discussion sparked by shared interests: the relentless typhoons that shape life in the Philippines.

From a young age, Hannah was enchanted by the vibrant pages of National Geographic magazines at her home in Manila. A career as a photographer for such an esteemed publication seemed as far-fetched to her as becoming an astronaut, yet this dream became her reality. Her journey is a blend of happenstance, grit, and an immense passion for her craft, leading her to places and stories all over the world.

“When I was a kid I lived in a very cloistered environment. Manila in the 90s was not—I mean it’s arguably still not the safest place, but Manila in the 90s was a little more crazy. And so I wasn’t really allowed to play outside. […] I spent a lot of my time indoors and photography for me was one of the ways where I really felt like I could explore and, you know, tickle my imagination—all those worlds that seemed so far away and yet so near through a photograph. That was something that I truly fell in love with.”

Hannah’s work documents the resilience of struggling communities across Asia, often focusing on the personal narratives unfolding under the impact of inequality, poverty, and injustice. One story that gets highlighted here is about women in the Philippines propelled into the sex trade by the losses suffered during Typhoon Haiyan.

Hannah also talks about Emerging Islands, a unique initiative she co-founded to facilitate collaborations between artists and scientists, focusing on the thematic intersections of oceans, nature, and climate. Finally, she and Adam have a profound discussion about their shared experiences as researchers and storytellers. They question the purpose and impact of their work, particularly when they confront misinformation or indifference.

The interview with Hannah was recorded in November 2022.