Alice Oates
PhD Work (2019 - 2024)
Historical Geographies of Halley Research Station, Antarctica, 1956 - present
An AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Project with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Royal Society, and Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.
About the Project
My doctoral research investigates the historical geographies of Halley research station, focused on people, science, politics, and place. Halley, now a British Antarctic Survey Station, has been in continuous use since it was established by the Royal Society for the International Geophysical Year (1957-58).
Halley is a fascinating site for exploring life and work in Antarctica, the history of British and international Antarctic science, and the geopolitics of Antarctica.
My thesis:
Oates, A. (2023). A historical geography of Halley research station, Antarctica, 1956 - present [Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository]. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.106932
Embargoed until March 2025
Talks
Public talks and outreach inspired by my doctoral work include:
RGS 'Be Inspired' Afternoon lecture, available online
'Polar Pint of Science' talk hosted by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, available online.
Conferences
I have presented my work at around 20 UK and international conferences, workshops, and seminars, including:
RGS Midterm and Annual Conferences
SCAR Open Science Conference and Humanities and Social Sciences Conferences
Scott Polar Research Institute Seminars
Publications
Oates, A.,E. (2024) ‘Space Weather Sentinels’: Halley and the evolution of geospace science, Notes Rec. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsnr.2023.0088
Oates, A.,E., Kaosaar, A. & Levesque, M. (2024) 'Navigating Extremes: a dual case study of Antarctic winterers' challenges and adaptation' Journal of Antarctic Affairs, Vol. 10
Oates, Alice, E. ‘Settler Colonial Mindsets at Halley Research Station, 1955–Present’. In Colonialism and Antarctica: Attitudes, Logics and Practices, edited by Peder Roberts and Alejandra Mancilla, 248–70. Manchester University Press, 2024.