Rutstein was invited to participate in the 2018 National Ocean Exploration forum at MIT Media Labs as an Ocean Discovery Fellow that brought scientists and creatives together to talk about conservation and ways to inspire and connect people with the ocean. She gave a lightning talk on her exhibition on view at the Georgia Museum of Art. People as diverse as Steven Gould, sci fi writer working with James Cameron on the sequel to Avatar, and Nainoa Thompson, head of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, came together to collectively brainstorm on how to imagine a bright future for the ocean and our planet, and how we can engage the public in environmental stewardship.