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National Geographic Society Grant Application: Enhanced Version

Project Information

Title of Project

"Decoding the Eye of the Sahara: Ancient Wisdom for Sustainable Futures"

Project Start Date

June 1, 2026

Primary Fieldwork Location

Country: Mauritania (Richat Structure/Eye of the Sahara)

Coordinates: 21.1269° N, 11.4016° W

Primary Fieldwork Location Start Date

October 1, 2026

Fieldwork End Date

October 21, 2026

Fieldwork Location Country or Area #2

Hungary (Budapest)

Fieldwork Location 2 Start Date

June 15, 2026

Fieldwork Location 2 End Date

May 30, 2027

Project End Date

May 31, 2027

Primary Focus Area

Human Histories & Cultures

Secondary Focus Area

Planetary Health

Primary Discipline

Storytelling

Secondary Discipline

Education

Expected Results Aligned with NGS' Mission

Educational/technical resources created

Events held (in-person or virtual)

People formally or informally educated, trained, or mentored

Media/communications/storytelling outputs

Paleontological, paleoanthropological, historical, cultural, archaeological, or geologic sites, features, or processes studied and/or preserved

Successfully field-tested technology product or prototype designs

Project Leader Information

Project Leader Name

Gergely Áron Dzsida

Salutation

Mr.

How did you learn about this grant opportunity?

NGS website

Date of Birth

May 12, 1997

Current Position or Job Title

Independent Filmmaker and Sustainability Activist; Project Coordinator at Mély Mosoly Alapítvány

Institution/Organization

Mély Mosoly Alapítvány

Education Level

Undergraduate academic degree

Skills & Experience

As a filmmaker and sustainability activist with nearly four years dedicated to documentary development, I bring unique qualifications to this project. My 2021 expedition to the Richat Structure demonstrates my capacity to organize complex international fieldwork involving scientific collaboration. During this expedition, I led a team including geophysicists to document and create 3D models of structures at the site (available at

https://lumalabs.ai/capture/29f47d69-1fb2-4324-b032-807329c8e1aa⁠

), which has already corrected inaccuracies present in existing documentaries, including National Geographic's "The Curse of Atlantis: Swallowed into the Sea."

My experience working with multiple NGOs (Humusz Szövetség, Fiatalok a Magyar Vidékért Alapítvány, Mély Mosoly Alapítvány, etc.) has developed my skills in stakeholder engagement and project management across diverse communities. I've successfully initiated two willowdome construction projects, demonstrating my ability to implement sustainable design principles in real-world settings.

My unique perspective comes from bridging seemingly disparate fields: archaeological investigation and sustainability innovation. While most approach these separately, I see powerful connections between understanding ancient resource management systems and developing modern sustainability solutions. My background in documentary filmmaking enables me to communicate complex scientific concepts in accessible, engaging formats that maintain rigorous standards while captivating general audiences.

The interactive documentary platform I've developed (

https://atlantis-together.com/⁠

, currently being updated to an even more interactive version) demonstrates my technical ability to create engaging educational content that bridges academic rigor with public accessibility.

Country of Primary Citizenship

Hungary

Project Leader Connection to Local Context

Our team has established meaningful connections in Mauritania through our 2021 expedition to the Eye of the Sahara. During this fieldwork, we developed working relationships with local guides, translators, and community members who remain active collaborators. Four key local partners—Sara, Sidi, Zeida, and Mahmud—provide essential cultural context, logistical support, and community connections.

I recognize Mauritania's unique challenges as one of the world's economically disadvantaged countries, which parallels my experience working in Nógrád County, one of Europe's most economically challenged regions. This perspective helps me approach international collaboration with cultural sensitivity and awareness of local economic realities.

While I don't personally speak Hassaniya Arabic, our team includes members with Arabic language capabilities, and we work with local translators to ensure effective communication. Our approach emphasizes genuine partnership rather than extractive research—local collaborators are credited contributors to our work, and our educational materials highlight local knowledge systems alongside scientific analysis.

In Hungary, I'm deeply embedded in the sustainability and educational communities through my work with multiple NGOs and my willowdome construction projects, which serve as educational sites demonstrating sustainable building techniques.

Local Collaborator

Yes

Project Details

Brief Project Summary

What if the legendary lost city of Atlantis could teach us something real about building sustainable futures? The Eye of the Sahara—a mysterious circular rock formation in Mauritania—has sparked public fascination and speculation for years. Rather than dismiss this curiosity, we're channeling it into rigorous scientific investigation.

Our project creates two interactive documentary series. The first explores the Eye of the Sahara through real science: geology, archaeology, and paleoclimatology. We ask the questions people want answered—Could this be connected to the Atlantis legend? What do ancient civilizations tell us about environmental change?—but we show the actual evidence and let audiences think through the science themselves using interactive debates and 3D models. The second series demonstrates sustainable solutions by showcasing buildings made from living plants that grow over time.

Here's what's genuinely different: most content about Atlantis is either sensationalized or too academic. This project does something new - it shows how real science works on a topic people actually care about. We want audiences to experience the investigative process, not just consume conclusions. By learning how scientists think about controversial questions, people develop better judgment for understanding the world around them.

Background

Alternative history content about the Atlantis legend and mysterious geological formations has exploded across social media and streaming platforms, reflecting genuine human curiosity about our past. However, most lacks scientific rigor—sources are unclear, speculation presented as fact, and audiences lack tools to think critically. Meanwhile, mainstream research remains inaccessible to general audiences. This gap is urgent: scientific literacy now depends on populations that can distinguish evidence from speculation, yet trust in traditional science communication has eroded. The Eye of the Sahara attracts global interest—this worldwide curiosity creates an exceptional teaching opportunity.

Our project fills this gap by combining academic rigor with engaging storytelling through interactive documentaries that make scientific thinking visible. Rather than presenting conclusions, audiences encounter structured debates between scientists, explore 3D models, and engage with questionnaires that teach critical thinking experientially. We maintain rigorous standards (peer-reviewed methods, transparent evidence, expert collaboration) while remaining genuinely accessible. This project is part of "Together Projects"—a comprehensive sustainability education initiative connecting historical understanding to future-building. By investigating how past civilizations responded to environmental change and what the Atlantis story teaches about unsustainable practices, we help audiences understand why this ancient mystery matters to contemporary sustainability crises. The second documentary series on sustainable design demonstrates practical applications.

We have already paved the way when it comes to the foundations of the project. In 2021 we traveled to the Eye of the Sahara with a geophysicist and created 3D documentation of the mysterious structures that are sparking curiosity worldwide. We published the results about these ruins, which are also mentioned incorrectly in a NatGeo documentary - "The Curse of Atlantis: Swallowed into the Sea" (

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEtVdG0x6So⁠

We have already established connections with locals so in the future we would be able to plan a much more ambitious expedition revealing the secrets of the Richat Structure, and to make it accessible to the public via the interactive documentary series. The ultimate goal is to learn from the past, and make it an eye-opening experience even for the uninformed eye.

Our interviews with interdisciplinary scientists (documented at

https://coda.io/d/_d-10pt-ErcI/Interviews_suNXXlo6⁠

) provide a strong foundation of expert knowledge spanning geology, archaeology, anthropology, and sustainability science. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to examine the Eye of the Sahara from multiple perspectives, creating a more complete understanding than single-discipline investigations can offer.

In parallel, we've initiated two willowdome building projects in Hungary that demonstrate sustainable architectural principles. These living structures serve as both educational sites and practical demonstrations of how ancient building techniques can inform modern sustainability practices. By connecting these seemingly disparate projects, we create a powerful narrative bridge between understanding our past and building our future.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Produce Two Professionally-Completed Interactive Documentary Series

What will change: Audiences worldwide will have access to rigorous, engaging scientific content about the Eye of the Sahara and sustainable design that models how real science investigates controversial topics.

Outputs:

Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara): 12 professionally-produced episodes exploring geology, archaeology, paleoclimatology, and the Atlantis hypothesis

Series 2 (Sustainable Design): 8-10 episodes documenting living architecture and permacultural systems

Interactive platform with embedded structured debates (Kialo-style), questionnaires, 3D model exploration, and community discussion features

Curriculum materials for schools (K-12 and university level)

Who is impacted: Global audiences (initial target: 500,000+ viewers in first 12 months); educators integrating content into curricula; students in 50+ partner schools; general public seeking quality science communication.

Success measures: Documentary series published and publicly available; viewership metrics tracked; platform reaches 500,000+ viewers; 50+ schools integrate episodes into teaching; pre/post-assessment shows knowledge gains in scientific thinking and understanding of geological/historical topics.

Goal 2: Complete Educational Infrastructure

What will change: Educational installations demonstrating sustainable design principles, creating ongoing learning opportunities for local and international visitors in Hungary.

Outputs:

2026 expedition to Eye of the Sahara with expanded scientific team (adding an archaeologist to 2021 team) generating new research data

Further online 3D interactive models of structures accessible globally from Mauritania (Examples from the previous expedition:

https://lumalabs.ai/capture/29f47d69-1fb2-4324-b032-807329c8e1aa⁠

)

A completed willowdome structure converted into educational spaces with interpretive signage that demonstrate our experiences from Mauritania

Documented case studies of sustainable design integrated into Series 2 documentary

Who is impacted: Local communities both in Mauritania and Hungary (educational opportunities, employment); international researchers and students (field study sites); global audiences (through 3D models and documentary); schools and universities (educational resources).

Success measures: 2026 expedition completed with new data collected, Further 3D models launched and accessible by the end of 2026; local partnerships established during the expedition; Willowdome completed and operational as educational site, visitor engagement tracked; educational programs delivered to local schools.

Goal 3: Establish Sustainable Model for Ongoing Research and Education

What will change: The project will demonstrate a replicable model for science communication that responsibly engages public curiosity while maintaining scientific integrity, creating a template for other educational initiatives.

Outputs:

Self-sustaining funding model through donations, expedition participation, and school partnerships

Published research papers from expedition findings

Professional framework documenting how to create interactive documentaries for controversial topics

Annual expeditions generating new research and content

Teacher training program certifying educators in interactive science pedagogy

Presenting all the templates, storytelling structure, pre-production documents and budget planning on the production side of the project. Making our documentary production systems public, we intend to empower other upcoming educators to tell their stories more easily and in a more engaging way.

New category/format created on

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/⁠

website: Interactive docuseries

Who is impacted: Scientific community (new research contributions, methodology innovations); educators worldwide (accessible teaching model); future documentary projects (replicable framework); students and lifelong learners (ongoing educational opportunities).

Success measures: Post-launch sustainability achieved (donations/expeditions generating revenue); at least 1 peer-reviewed publication from expedition data; 10+ educators trained in interactive pedagogy; annual expeditions continuing beyond grant funding; framework documented and shared with other organizations; project continuing independently 3+ years after initial NGS funding.

Connection to Larger Vision:

This project is Phase 1 of "Together Projects"—a comprehensive educational initiative connecting understanding humanity's past with building sustainable futures. By demonstrating rigorous investigation of historical mysteries (Goal 1), establishing permanent educational infrastructure (Goal 2), and proving a sustainable model (Goal 3), we create the foundation for expanding this approach to other topics where public curiosity exceeds reliable information. Success here proves that rigorous science and public engagement are not mutually exclusive.

Activities or Methods

Phase 1: Foundation & Planning (Months 1-3)

We begin with documentary production planning. Our team, led by Gergely Áron Dzsida, completed a 2-week expedition to the Eye of the Sahara in 2021 and interviewed seven scientists across multiple disciplines (documented at

https://coda.io/d/_d-10pt-ErcI/Interviews_suNXXlo6⁠

). We have raw footage, interview recordings, and geological data. Phase 1 involves organizing this material, conducting additional interviews with the 2021 team, and planning the 2026 expedition with archaeological expertise added. Simultaneously, we'll have the resources to finish developing the interactive platform architecture (prototype:

https://atlantis-together.com/⁠

) — designing the Kialo-style debate interface, questionnaire system, and 3D model integration. We establish partnerships with educational institutions.

Phase 2: Content Production (Months 4-12)

Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara): We produce 12 episodes in professional quality. Each episode focuses on a distinct theme (geology, archaeology, paleoclimatology, mythology, etc.). Rather than traditional documentary structure, each episode includes embedded interactive elements: structured debates between scientists on contentious interpretations, questionnaires prompting viewer critical thinking, 3D models enabling spatial exploration of the Richat Structure and expedition locations, and expert commentary explaining methodology. We hire professional cinematographers, editors, and science communicators, ensuring quality comparable to National Geographic productions.

Series 2 (Sustainable Design): We document the willowdome building process and the already started permacultural gardens. Episodes show construction techniques, natural growth processes, ecological integration, and practical applications. Each follows the same interactive format as Series 1.

Platform Development: The interactive platform launches with core features functional. Audiences access episodes, engage with debates, complete questionnaires, and explore 3D models. Community discussion forums connect learners globally.

Phase 3: Educational Infrastructure & Fieldwork (Months 6-18)

Willowdome Completion: We complete and convert both willowdome structures into permanent educational installations. Interpretive signage explains construction techniques, ecological function, and cultural significance. 3D models are finalized and launched online for global access.

2026 Expedition: In Fall 2026, we conduct a second expedition to the Eye of the Sahara. Building on 2021 foundations, this expedition includes an archaeologist (strengthening scientific credibility) and generates new research data. Participants combine professional researchers with citizen science volunteers (both funded participants and scholarship recipients ensuring accessibility). Expedition outcomes feed back into documentary production—new footage, interviews, and data enhance Series 1 content.

School Partnerships: We establish relationships with 50+ schools across multiple continents. We provide curriculum materials, train educators in interactive pedagogy, and support integration of episodes into teaching.

Phase 4: Launch & Sustainability (Months 13-24)

Full Launch: Documentary series completed and publicly released through platforms including National Geographic channels and the project website.

Sustainability Mechanisms Activated:

Donations: Website enables contributions to support ongoing research and content creation

Expeditions: Annual expeditions to Eye of the Sahara open to paid participants, with free spots available through application

School Partnerships: Episodes available for educational use; teacher training generates modest revenue through certification programs

Evaluation & Iteration: We conduct impact assessments—tracking viewership, analyzing pre/post-learning gains, gathering educator feedback. Results inform Year 2 content and methodology adjustments.

Why This Plan Achieves Our Goals:

For Goal 1 (Documentary Series): Our team has proven capacity—Gergely led successful 2021 expedition with interdisciplinary scientist collaboration. We're not starting from zero; we're professionally finishing work already underway. The interactive format directly teaches scientific methodology by making thinking visible, not just presenting conclusions. This approach addresses the core problem: audiences learn how science works, not just what scientists found.

For Goal 2 (Educational Infrastructure): By combining documentary production with parallel willowdome completion and field research, we create reinforcing activities. The structures become both practical education sites and living case studies featured in documentary content. The 2026 expedition generates fresh data improving content quality.

For Goal 3 (Sustainability): Our three-pronged funding model (donations, expeditions, school partnerships) is proven across similar projects. By establishing operations and proving value during the grant period, we create strong foundations for independent continuation.

Innovation & Best Practices:

What's New: Traditional documentaries separate production from audience engagement—viewers consume content passively. Our interactive documentary format embeds scientific methodology into viewing itself. Audiences don't just watch scientists discuss evidence; they participate in scientific thinking through structured debates, questionnaires, and interactive models. This transforms education from passive consumption to active inquiry.

Our interactive platform prototype (

https://atlantis-together.com/⁠

) demonstrates our technical approach. The platform integrates:

Structured debate interfaces where viewers can explore competing scientific interpretations of evidence

Interactive 3D models allowing spatial exploration of the Richat Structure and expedition locations

Embedded questionnaires that prompt critical thinking rather than passive consumption

Community discussion forums connecting learners globally

This technical framework transforms traditional documentary viewing from passive consumption to active inquiry—viewers don't just learn what scientists think but experience how scientific thinking works.

Best Practices Integration:

Science Communication: We follow evidence-based practices for explaining complex topics accessibly without sacrificing rigor

Participatory Learning: Research shows active engagement increases retention and critical thinking—questionnaires and debates activate participation

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: We maintain rigorous team structure (geologists, archaeologists, paleoclimatologists, etc.), following academic best practices for complex investigations

Community Partnership: Local Mauritanian collaboration throughout—not imposing external research but building genuine partnerships

Transparency: All sources, methods, and evidence presented openly—audiences see how conclusions develop

Timeline Realism: We've built in contingencies. Documentary production uses existing 2021 material as foundation. Willowdome structures are partially complete, not starting from scratch. The 2026 expedition builds on established relationships and logistics. This isn't speculative; it's building on proven groundwork.

Risks

Risk 1: Political/Security Challenges in Mauritania

Risk: Mauritania's political situation can be unstable. Access to remote field sites may be restricted; security concerns could impact expedition safety or logistics.

Mitigation: We maintain ongoing relationships with Mauritanian institutions and NGOs established through 2021 fieldwork. We work with local partners who understand current conditions and can advise on safe timing and routes. We have flexibility in expedition timing—if Fall 2026 becomes unsafe, we can postpone to a more secure window. We maintain regular communication with NGS and local authorities before and during expeditions. Our team includes experienced field researchers familiar with working in challenging environments.

Risk 2: Funding Shortfalls or Delayed Payments

Risk: Documentary production is expensive. If NGS funding is delayed or reduced, we may struggle to maintain production quality and timelines.

Mitigation: We've designed the project with phased deliverables so partial funding can produce partial results. We have preliminary commitments from other funding sources (listed in application budget section). The willowdome completion and 2026 expedition are more flexible timelines than documentary production—we can adjust timing to match funding flow. We've built contingencies into budget. If necessary, we can reduce production scale (fewer episodes initially) and expand in Year 2.

Risk 3: Technical Challenges with Interactive Platform

Risk: The interactive documentary platform (Kialo-style debates, 3D models, questionnaires) is technically complex. Integration issues or poor user experience could undermine the project's innovation.

Mitigation: We partner with experienced technical teams already experienced in educational platform development. We conduct extensive user testing during development (Months 1-3) with sample audiences to identify issues early. We've built in 2-month buffer (Months 3-5) for refinement before full launch. If Kialo integration proves problematic, we have backup debate platforms. We prioritize functionality over features—core platform works robustly before adding enhancements.

Risk 4: Content Quality or Scientific Credibility

Risk: If documentary content appears biased toward alternative history theories or lacks scientific rigor, we lose credibility with both scientific community and general audiences.

Mitigation: We maintain rigorous editorial oversight. All episodes reviewed by our interdisciplinary scientific team before publication. We employ a science communicator (not just film crew) to ensure accuracy and accessibility. We commit to showing alternative scientific interpretations, not just dominant theories. We're transparent about uncertainty—clearly distinguish between established facts, scientific debates, and speculation. We submit key findings for peer review before publication. Local Mauritanian partners review content to ensure cultural sensitivity.

Risk 5: Audience Engagement or Viewership

Risk: Despite innovative format, the content may fail to attract sufficient audiences or engagement. Low viewership undermines educational impact and sustainability model.

Mitigation: We develop aggressive promotion strategy—partnerships with educational institutions for classroom integration provides baseline viewership. We pursue distribution through multiple channels (YouTube, streaming platforms, educational repositories, schools). We leverage National Geographic's existing audience and marketing capabilities. We create social media content, trailers, and clips to generate interest. Pre-launch audience testing informs promotion strategy. The expedition component (with participant recruitment) creates organic audience—participants become advocates. Teacher training programs create invested educators promoting content to students.

Sustained Impact

This project is explicitly designed for long-term sustainability beyond the NGS grant period. We're not creating a one-time documentary; we're establishing an ongoing research and education program.

Three Revenue Streams for Sustainability:

1. Donations: The interactive documentary website includes donation functionality. Content remains free and accessible to all (as science should be), but supporters contribute to ongoing research and content creation. We model this after successful platforms like Vimeo for creators or research crowdfunding sites. We project modest but sustainable revenue ($10,000-20,000 annually) from engaged audiences valuing the work. The platform can eventually integrate with the official National Geographic website if deemed likewise, providing additional visibility and legitimacy.

2. Annual Expeditions: After establishing the model during the grant period, we continue annual expeditions to the Eye of the Sahara. These combine tourism, education, and research. Participants pay expedition costs (typically $3,000-5,000 per person). We offer free scholarships (33% of spots) through competitive application, ensuring economic accessibility. Each expedition generates new research data, fresh footage, and participant testimonies that feed into updated content. Expedition revenue covers expedition costs plus partial funding for ongoing production and research analysis.

3. Educational Partnerships: Schools and universities license content and access teacher training programs. While content remains free for non-profit educational use, we offer premium services: customized curriculum development, in-person educator workshops, certification programs. Universities partner for research. This creates sustainable revenue from institutions while maintaining free public access to core content.

Institutional Infrastructure:

We establish a legal entity (nonprofit organization or registered foundation) to hold intellectual property, manage funds, and ensure organizational continuity beyond any single individual. Gergely Áron Dzsida remains project director, but we build leadership depth—hiring program director for day-to-day operations, communications director for audience engagement, operations manager for logistics.

We establish a scientific advisory board of seven scientists from the interviews plus new collaborators, meeting annually to guide research direction and maintain scientific standards. Local Mauritanian partnerships formalized through written agreements ensuring ongoing collaboration and benefit-sharing.

Asset Permanence:

Documentary content, once produced, generates ongoing value with minimal additional cost. The interactive platform, once built, requires maintenance but not recreation. The 3D models and curriculum materials remain accessible indefinitely. The willowdome structures are permanent installations serving as educational sites for decades. Unlike projects requiring continuous activity (expeditions), most project outputs are self-sustaining once created.

Track Record & Commitment:

Gergely's involvement in multiple NGOs and sustainability initiatives demonstrates commitment to long-term work. The 2021 expedition shows he invests personal time and resources into these projects. He's not seeking a grant to complete a project then move on; he's seeking funding to launch what he's already partially funded himself. This personal investment suggests genuine sustainability commitment.

Conservative Projections:

We're not dependent on exponential growth. We project 500,000 engaged viewers in Year 1 (from NGS platform promotion), potentially growing to 1 million in a reasonable timeframe. To deepen our knowledge base about the topic in an independent and self-sufficient way we are planning to organize expeditions annually with 30 participants. 50-100 school partnerships is achievable and manageable. These conservative numbers create financial stability without requiring sudden exceptional luck, instead we aim to build our foundation on consistency.

Works Cited

Barber, E. W., & Barber, P. T. (2004). When They Severed Earth from Sky: How the Human Mind Shapes Myth. Princeton University Press.

Belmonte, J. A., & Shalthout, M. (2009). In Search of Cosmic Order: Selected Essays on Egyptian Archaeoastronomy. Supreme Council of Antiquities Press.

Brophy, T. G. (2015). The Origin Map: Discovery of a Prehistoric, Megalithic, Astrophysical Map and Sculpture of the Universe. iUniverse.

Hancock, G. (2019). America Before: The Key to Earth's Lost Civilization. St. Martin's Press.

Matton, G., Jébrak, M., & Lee, J. K. (2005). Resolving the Richat enigma: Doming and hydrothermal karstification above an alkaline complex. Geology, 33(8), 665-668.

Plato. (2008). Timaeus and Critias (D. Lee, Trans.). Penguin Classics.

Sweatman, M. B. (2019). Prehistory Decoded. Matador.

West, J. A. (1979). Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt. Harper & Row.

Outreach and Engagement

Communication, Engagement, and Distribution Plan

My experience engaging diverse audiences includes successfully securing private investment for our 2021 expedition through compelling communication of both scientific and storytelling value. I've developed educational materials for multiple NGOs in Hungary, translating complex sustainability concepts into accessible formats for general audiences.

For this project, our communication strategy targets three primary audience segments:

General Public Interested in Ancient Mysteries: We'll reach this audience through:

Distribution through National Geographic's established platforms

YouTube channel with teaser content driving to full interactive experience

Social media engagement focusing on visually compelling aspects of the Richat Structure

Partnerships with podcasts and online communities focused on archaeology and ancient history

Educators and Students: We'll engage educational institutions through:

Curriculum materials aligned with science and history standards

Teacher training workshops introducing interactive documentary as pedagogical tool

School partnerships program with 50+ target institutions

Educational webinars featuring project scientists

Scientific Community: We'll maintain scientific credibility through:

Peer-reviewed publications from expedition findings

Conference presentations at relevant archaeological and geological meetings

Open data sharing of 3D models and expedition findings

Collaboration with academic institutions for further research

Each documentary episode will be published on our interactive platform with simultaneous promotion through National Geographic channels. We'll track engagement metrics to refine our approach, with target KPIs including 500,000+ viewers in Year 1, 50+ school partnerships, and at least one peer-reviewed publication.

Our existing website (

https://atlantis-together.com/⁠

) provides a foundation for this engagement strategy, and our ongoing updates will enhance its interactive capabilities to better support the communication goals outlined above.

Engagement Plan

Our project engages four key stakeholder groups through structured collaboration:

1. Local Mauritanian Communities

Coordination Method: We've established relationships with community members during our 2021 expedition. For the 2026 expedition, we'll formalize these partnerships through a local advisory board that provides input on research questions, filming locations, and representation of local knowledge.

Benefits: Economic opportunities through expedition employment; global platform for sharing local cultural knowledge; documentation of oral traditions at risk of being lost; educational resources translated into local languages.

Deliverable Involvement: Local team members will contribute to expedition planning, serve as field guides, provide cultural context for documentary content, and review footage for cultural accuracy before publication.

Assessment: Post-expedition community feedback sessions; tracking of local employment generated; evaluation of how local knowledge is represented in final content.

2. Educational Institutions

Coordination Method: Formal partnerships with 50+ schools across multiple countries, with teacher representatives providing input on curriculum development.

Benefits: Access to innovative educational content; professional development for teachers; student engagement with real scientific investigation.

Deliverable Involvement: Educators will co-develop curriculum materials, pilot test interactive components, and provide feedback on educational effectiveness.

Assessment: Pre/post knowledge assessments with students; teacher surveys on material usability; tracking of classroom implementation.

3. Scientific Collaborators

Coordination Method: Formal research team structure with clear roles and regular coordination meetings; collaborative authorship on publications.

Benefits: Access to unique field site; interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities; public communication platform for research.

Deliverable Involvement: Scientists will guide research methodology, appear in documentary content explaining concepts, review content for accuracy, and co-author publications.

Assessment: Peer review of scientific outputs; collaborator satisfaction surveys; tracking of academic citations and impact.

4. Sustainability Practitioners and Willowdome Participants

Coordination Method: Workshops and hands-on building sessions; documentation of process and knowledge sharing.

Benefits: Practical experience in sustainable construction; connection to global network of practitioners; documentation of their work.

Deliverable Involvement: Practitioners will lead willowdome construction, demonstrate techniques for documentary filming, and contribute to educational materials.

Assessment: Completion of physical structures; participant feedback surveys; tracking of knowledge application in subsequent projects.

Our engagement approach emphasizes reciprocity—each stakeholder group both contributes to and benefits from the project. We've designed our timeline to allow for meaningful consultation before key decisions and will maintain transparent communication throughout implementation.

Explorer Network

Joining the National Geographic Explorer community would provide invaluable connections to interdisciplinary experts whose insights could significantly enhance this project. I'm particularly interested in connecting with:

Archaeologists and geologists with experience investigating controversial historical sites who could provide methodological guidance for our Richat Structure research

Documentary filmmakers pioneering interactive formats who could share insights on audience engagement with complex scientific content

Sustainability innovators working at the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern challenges who could inform our willowdome educational approach

As an Explorer, I would actively contribute to the community by:

Sharing our innovative interactive documentary methodology as a potential model for other science communication projects

Offering my experience bridging cultural heritage investigation with sustainability innovation—a connection that could benefit other Explorers' work

Serving as a mentor to emerging filmmakers interested in rigorous scientific storytelling, particularly those working on controversial topics requiring careful evidence presentation

Contributing to National Geographic's educational initiatives by developing curriculum materials based on our interactive approach

I'm eager to both learn from and contribute to this community of global experts, seeing it as an essential network for elevating the impact of our work beyond what we could achieve independently.

Project Members

Team Member 1

Name: Kristof Kaltenecker

Email:

kristof@novastudio.hu⁠

⁠

Role: Director of Photography and Production Lead

Kristof serves as Director of Photography and Production Lead for the documentary series. His award-winning cinematography experience (including films that have won at New York, Dubai, and San Francisco film festivals) ensures professional-quality visual storytelling. As owner of Nova Produkcios Iroda Kft., he brings a team of seven production professionals who will support filming, editing, and post-production. Kristof's experience creating content for major brands like BMW and Telekom demonstrates his ability to produce compelling visual narratives that meet international standards. His technical expertise in cinematography is essential for capturing the geological complexity of the Richat Structure and translating scientific concepts into visually engaging content.

Current Institution: Nova Produkcios Iroda Kft.

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