Setting an agenda for disability-focused research in Antarctic Humanities and Social Sciences

A SCAR Fellowship project

This page is about my project, funded by a Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Fellowship award. It is hosted by Dr Pedro Marques-Quinteiro at the Universidade Lusofona, Lisbon, Portugal.

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Who am I?

My name is Alice Oates, and I am a human geographer whose research focuses on Antarctica. I have recently completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge, on the historical geographies of Halley Research Station. Read more on the 'my work' page. I also have ADHD and Dyspraxia, and work with disabled students, which has helped spark my interest in Antarctica and disability. For questions about this project, or feedback on this website, email me at antarcticdisabilityproject@gmail.com

Motivation

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a growing area within the Antarctic Research Sector, characterised by community advocacy groups like Access Polar, Polar Pride, and Polar Impact, and institutional efforts like SCAR's EDI Action Group. There is also a small number of Antarctic Humanities and Social Sciences researchers working on EDI issues, such as work by Professor Meredith Nash on sexual harassment and discrimination within the Australian Antarctic Programme. However, there is a serious gap in current research and institutional efforts in regard to people with disabilities. This project aims to begin to fill this gap.

What are we doing?

We want to kick-start research into disability within the Antarctic research sector by identifying what the key research questions are. Therefore, the main output of this work will be a peer-reviewed publication setting an agenda for future research. As this is a short-term research project we are not aiming to come up with all the answers or identify every challenge, success, barrier, etc., that disabled people experience within the sector. Instead, we want to identify what questions to ask in order to promote and guide future research on these issues.

What's the plan?

Phase 1

It's important that this work is informed by the experiences of people with disabilities. We want to offer as many opportunities as possible for community input on the project.

In March we lauched a survey asking for input from the Antarctic research community. This is open to all, regardless of disability, diagnosis, or role within the sector. We want to hear from everyone, but especially people with disabilities. That includes field scientists, operational/administrative staff, and researchers who don't work in the field. We're also interested in hearing from people with relevant experience in related fields such as Arctic or space research, or who work more generally in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Phase 1 also includes consultation with experts and reviewing current literature on disability in Antarctica, STEM, and academia.

Phase 2

During the survey, respondents will have an opportunity to indicate they are interested in a follow-up interview, which will be the bulk of phase 2. If you already think you'd be interested, please get in touch!