Researchers on ice? How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Antarctic researchers

• DOI: 10.1017/s0954102023000020
• Publication Date: 2023-04-12T05:58:16Z
• Authors: Daniela Liggett; Andrea Herbert; Renuka Badhe; Gina E.C. Charnley; K.P.C. Hudson; Ilan Kelman; Won Sang Lee; Cristian Lorenzo; Pedro Marques-Qui...; Meredith Nash; Jennifer Pickett; Yelena Yermakova
• Keywords: Pandemic; Disadvantaged

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic-related measures have impacted the lives work-related activities of Antarctic researchers. To explore these impacts, we designed, piloted disseminated an online survey in English, Russian, Spanish Chinese late 2020 early 2021. explored how affected productivity researchers, their career prospects mental wellbeing. Findings exposed patterns inequities. For instance, 406 unique responses to survey, women appeared been more adversely than men, especially relation health, early-career researchers were disadvantaged mid- or late-career colleagues. Overall, a third research participants reported at least one major negative impact from on health. Approximately half also mentioned that had some positive effects, terms advantages working home brought opportunities attend events, network benefit training workshops online. We conclude with series recommendations for science administrators policymakers mitigate most serious adverse impacts communities, implications other contexts where scientific are conducted under extreme circumstances.