Vision:
A world where people understand, value and protect the ocean through direct experience, education and research.
Mission:
Wicked Horizon Academy advances ocean conservation through expedition-based learning, citizen science and field research. We work with schools, universities, NGOs and communities to create hands-on marine education programs and share knowledge through public outreach, storytelling and research collaboration.
Our Structure:
Wicked Horizon Academy operates through a partnership between two Norwegian organisations, each contributing specialised expertise to our mission.
Wicked Horizon Academy:
Education, Research and Mission Delivery
Wicked Horizon Academy is the public-facing name of our registered Norwegian non-profit organisation. The organisation is structured as a Norwegian non-profit association, or forening, dedicated to marine conservation education, field-based learning and citizen science. The Academy manages:
- Development and delivery of educational programs
- Participant recruitment and learning experience
- Curriculum development and scientific content
- School, university and research partnerships
- Fundraising, grants and sponsorships
- Citizen science data collection and reporting
- Community engagement and public outreach
- Impact measurement and reporting
Governance
Wicked Horizon Academy is governed by an independent board of directors with experience in marine science, education, conservation, organisational development and non-profit management. This ensures that our programs serve a clear public-benefit purpose and maintain strong educational, scientific and ethical standards.
Wicked Horizon AS:
Vessel Operations and Maritime Expertise (see https//wicked-horizon.com)
Wicked Horizon AS is a Norwegian maritime company that owns and operates the expedition vessel S/Y Nora Simrad and provides the maritime platform, vessel operations and expedition expertise that support selected Academy programs. Through a lease arrangement, S/Y Nora Simrad can be made available to Wicked Horizon Academy for approved research, education and citizen science projects.
This structure allows Wicked Horizon Academy to pursue non-profit education, research and grant-funded work while keeping vessel ownership, commercial operations and maritime risk management separate from the Academy’s public-benefit mission.
The Board of Directors:
To be assigned
The Management:
Paul Lübbe
Managing Director
Paul is an educator, sailor, and expedition leader with more than 35,000 nautical miles of sailing experience. A trained social science and music teacher, he combines education, exploration, and environmental awareness.
His expeditions include serving as First Mate aboard the 120-foot sailing ship Infinity during the 2018 Northwest Passage expedition from Alaska to Greenland.
As Managing Director of Wicked Horizon Academy, Paul leads the day-to-day operations that keep the mission moving forward.
Peter Keller, PhD
Scientific & Expedition Director
Peter is a scientist, explorationist, and expedition leader whose career has moved between academia, international industry, and the open ocean. He holds a Master of Science and PhD in Geophysics from ETH Zürich and has extensive experience in scientific research and consulting.
He has led numerous scientific expeditions and field campaigns and has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in geophysics and earth sciences. With more than 20,000 nautical miles as skipper, Peter combines scientific expertise with extensive experience in remote marine environments.
As Scientific & Expedition Director, Peter leads the design of citizen science programs, develops partnerships with research institutions, and plans the expedition routes that take S/Y Nora Simrad — and the people aboard — to places where science genuinely matters.
Linn Charlotte Klund
Community & Engagement Director
Charlotte is an anthropologist, educator, and long-distance sailor with more than 30,000 nautical miles at sea. She has lived, taught, and worked in communities across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
Her anthropological background brings an important social and cultural perspective to Wicked Horizon Academy’s work, particularly in projects involving island communities, local knowledge, environmental change, and community participation.
As Community & Engagement Director, Charlotte leads our connections with schools, participants, and the growing Wicked Horizon community.
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Financial Director (TBA)
Financial Director
The Financial Director oversees Wicked Horizon Academy’s financial management, reporting, and governance, ensuring that funds from participants, donors, grants, and sponsors are managed transparently and in accordance with the organisation’s nonprofit mission.
The role is currently covered by Paul Lübbe together with Chief Accountant Arne Buhs.
Oliver Trueb
Marketing Director
Oliver holds a master’s degree in urban planning and environmental management and has extensive international consulting experience in sustainable development, tourism planning, regional planning, and environmental management.
His professional work focuses on balancing environmental protection, local community interests, and sustainable economic development. He has also participated in several sailing and research expeditions, contributing to field activities and environmental observations.
As Marketing Director, he leads Wicked Horizon Academy’s digital presence and shapes how the organisation presents its mission to the world.
The Team:
Thomas Lien - Reporting, foto and film
Steve Allen (PhD) - Marine debris researcher
Stig Henstein - Skipper and IT Developer
Debbie Chan - Designer