Shifting Perspectives in Polar Research: Global Lessons on the Barriers and Drivers for Securing Academic Careers in Natural Sciences

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dc.contributor.authorFiguerola , Blanca
dc.contributor.authorValiente , Nicolas
dc.contributor.authorBarbosa , Andres
dc.contributor.authorBrasier , Madeleine J.
dc.contributor.authorColominas-Ciuró , Roger
dc.contributor.authorConvey , Peter
dc.contributor.authorLiggett , Daniela
dc.contributor.authorFernández-Martínez , Miguel Angel
dc.contributor.authorGonzalez , Sergi
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths , Huw J.
dc.contributor.authorJawak , Shridhar D
dc.contributor.authorMerican , Faradina
dc.contributor.authorNoll , Daly
dc.contributor.authorPrudencio , Janire
dc.contributor.authorQuaglio , Fernanda
dc.contributor.authorPertierra , Luis R.
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-22T22:30:17Z
dc.date.available2024-05-22T22:30:17Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe polar regions provide valuable insights into the functioning of the Earth’s regulating systems. Conducting field research in such harsh and remote environments requires strong international cooperation, extended planning horizons, sizable budgets and long-term investment. Consequently, polar research is particularly vulnerable to societal and economic pressures during periods of austerity. The global financial crisis of 2008, and the ensuing decade of economic slowdown, have already adversely affected polar research, and the current COVID-19 pandemic has added further pressure. In this article we present the outcomes of a community survey that aimed to assess the main barriers and success factors identified by academic researchers at all career stages in response to these global crises. The survey results indicate that the primary barriers faced by polar early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) act at institutional level, while mitigating factors are developed at individual and group levels. Later career scientists report pressure toward taking early retirement as a means of institutions saving money, reducing both academic leadership and the often unrecognized but vital mentor roles that many play. Gender and social inequalities are also perceived as important barriers. Reorganization of institutional operations and more effective strategies for long-term capacity building and retaining of talent, along with reduction in non-research duties shouldered by EMCRs, would make important contributions toward ensuring continued vitality and innovation in the polar research community.
dc.identifier.citationFiguerola B, Valiente N, Barbosa A, Brasier MJ, Colominas-Ciuró R, Convey P, Liggett D, Fernández-Martínez MA, Gonzalez S, Griffiths HJ, Jawak SD, Merican F, Noll D, Prudencio J, Quaglio F, Pertierra LR (2021). Shifting Perspectives in Polar Research: Global Lessons on the Barriers and Drivers for Securing Academic Careers in Natural Sciences. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9.
dc.identifier.doihttp://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.777009
dc.identifier.issn2296-701X
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10092/106864
dc.publisherFrontiers Media SA
dc.rightsAll rights reserved unless otherwise stated
dc.rights.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651
dc.subjectausterity
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectdiversity and inclusion
dc.subjectinterdisciplinarity
dc.subjectmentoring
dc.subjectpost-doctoral researchers
dc.subject.anzsrc31 - Biological sciences::3103 - Ecology
dc.subject.anzsrc44 - Human society::4407 - Policy and administration::440710 - Research, science and technology policy
dc.titleShifting Perspectives in Polar Research: Global Lessons on the Barriers and Drivers for Securing Academic Careers in Natural Sciences
dc.typeJournal Article
uc.collegeFaculty of Science
uc.departmentSchool of Earth and Environment
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