Shifting Perspectives in Polar Research

Autor(en)

Blanca Figuerola, Nicolas Valiente, Andres Barbosa, Madeleine J. Brasier, Roger Colominas-Ciuro, Peter Convey, Daniela Liggett, Miguel Angel Fernandez-Martinez, Sergi Gonzalez, Huw J. Griffiths, Shridhar D. Jawak, Faradina Merican, Daly Noll, Janire Prudencio, Fernanda Quaglio, Luis R. Pertierra

Abstrakt

The 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.

Organisation(en)

Externe Organisation(en)

Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), University of Tasmania, Université de Strasbourg, Science and Technology Facilities Council, University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Canterbury, McGill University, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, University Centre in Svalbard, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universidad Austral de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Granada, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, University of Pretoria, University of Oslo, Natural Environment Research Council

Journal

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Band

9

Anzahl der Seiten

10

ISSN

2296-701X

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.777009

Publikationsdatum

11-2021

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

105907 Polarforschung, 106001 Allgemeine Biologie, 104001 Allgemeine Chemie, 105904 Umweltforschung

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/b9f4073d-1a10-424e-8d29-e1b0c8b640a7