There are three distinct organisations which are concerned with gender issues in Antarctic research: Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) itself, which is part of the International Council of Science and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science and mainly concerned with policy issues and research prioritisation; the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), which concerns early career scientists in both the Antarctic and Arctic regions; and the Women in Polar Science Network (WPSN), which is hosted by SCAR but not part of it. These groups are linked and committed to work together on gender issues.
Organisational demographics
It is difficult to estimate the number of people involved in Antarctic research, as they can be based in so many countries and Universities, but there are over 40 organisations with a national institute that looks at Antarctic research, with memberships that can range from double figures to over a thousand. At a rough estimate there are probably at least 10,000 individuals in Antarctic research, since conferences regularly get over 1,000 attendees. 55% of the early career scientists in APECS are women, but as in the rest of the academic world, typically the proportion of women decreases with seniority. Of the seven members in the SCAR governing body, three are women.
Career development
SCAR has maintained an active commitment to gender issues, as well as intersectional concerns, since around 2010. It has general policies relating to women and inclusivity, and a committee to drive these concerns. Although it does not identify particular initiatives as such, it has adopted a number of practices which would be classified as initiatives in other contexts. For example: research Fellowships are designed to facilitate the careers of younger researchers, rather than acting as a badge of seniority. They involve a monetary grant which enables a few more months of research within the area, perhaps in an additional project, thus confirming the quality of the person’s scholarship and the value of their research. Recipients are also required to publish their findings, and although there is an age limit, there is special consideration for those who have lost a few years of active research due to childcare or similar family commitments, which can be taken into account when applying for fellowships. The idea is to maintain as much inclusivity as possible.
Facilitating inclusivity including increased participation of women
There are other practices which facilitate the involvement of women in Polar research, such as the development of virtual or online Fellowships among Arctic researchers, which mean that they can access research data without actually being on-site. Another Arctic initiative was developed by the station managers’ group, which is that they have people who can go out in the field and collect samples for someone who is unable to be on-site themselves. As yet these practices are not mirrored in Antarctic research, but new projects of a similar nature are being developed by SCAR; and this too reflects a commitment to inclusivity in a challenging environment.
Although there are a number of issues which could do with attention, notably the cultural challenges involved in international working, and the relative lack of of gender-appropriate protective clothing, overall the commitment to equality of opportunity and access is a significant driver for SCAR and its associated groups.
Key takeaways for other institutions
- Design Research Fellowships to facilitate the careers of younger researchers, and give special consideration for those who have lost a few years of active research due to childcare or similar family commitments.
- Take into account specific needs in your field of research. New categories of Fellowship have been introduced for those needing online access because they are unable to do full-time research on-site.
- Generalize facilitative practices. Arctic research stations have staff who will collect samples in the field for those unable to be on-site, and similar facilitative practices are being introduced for Antarctic researchers.