eCite Digital Repository
'Antarctica just has this hero factor...': Gendered barriers to Australian Antarctic research and remote fieldwork
Citation
Nash, M and Nielsen, HEF and Shaw, J and King, MA and Lea, MA and Bax, N, 'Antarctica just has this hero factor...': Gendered barriers to Australian Antarctic research and remote fieldwork, PLoS ONE, 14, (1) Article e0209983. ISSN 1932-6203 (2019) [Refereed Article]
 | PDF 990Kb |
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2019 Nash et al. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
DOI: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209983
Abstract
Antarctica is often associated with images of masculine figures battling against the blizzard. The pervasiveness of heroic white masculine leadership and exploration in Antarctica and, more broadly, in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) research cultures, has meant women have had lesser access to Antarctic research and fieldwork opportunities, with a marked increase since the 1980s. This article presents findings from an exploratory online survey examining how 95 women experienced research and remote Antarctic fieldwork with the Australian Antarctic Program. Although women are entering polar science in greater numbers, a key theme of the qualitative findings of this survey is that gendered barriers to participation in research and fieldwork persist. We discuss five key gendered barriers including: 1) Physical barriers, 2) Caring responsibilities/unpaid work, 3) Cultural sexism/gender bias, 4) Lack of opportunities/recognition, and 5) Unwanted male attention/sexual harassment. We argue that the lack of attention paid to gender and sexuality in polar fieldwork contributes to the invisibility and exclusion of women and other marginalized identities broadly. To conclude, we point to the importance of targeted inclusivity, diversity and equity initiatives through Antarctic research globally and specifically by National Antarctic Programs.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | women in STEMM, antarctica, fieldwork, gender |
| Research Division: | Human Society |
| Research Group: | Sociology |
| Research Field: | Social change |
| Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
| Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
| Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in human society |
| UTAS Author: | Nash, M (Associate Professor Meredith Nash) |
| UTAS Author: | Nielsen, HEF (Dr Hanne Nielsen) |
| UTAS Author: | Shaw, J (Dr Justine Shaw) |
| UTAS Author: | King, MA (Professor Matt King) |
| UTAS Author: | Lea, MA (Professor Mary-Anne Lea) |
| UTAS Author: | Bax, N (Ms Narissa Bax) |
| ID Code: | 130499 |
| Year Published: | 2019 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 18 |
| Deposited By: | Office of the School of Social Sciences |
| Deposited On: | 2019-01-29 |
| Last Modified: | 2022-08-29 |
| Downloads: | 115 View Download Statistics |
Repository Staff Only: item control page