Women of Arctic Science
The ongoing portrait project “Women of Arctic Science”, uses photography to tell success stories of female Arctic climate scientists and explorers and their work in one of the world’s most challenging environments, by focusing on the diverse international science community in Ny-Ålesund, on Svalbard archipelago in Norway, the northernmost community of the world.
Featuring the life, motivation and work of female role models, the project aims to inspire and empower the next generation of female scientists and explorers, creating visibility for women’s contribution to Arctic research and exploration.
Climate research began in 1967 in Ny-Ålesund. Until the 1990s, only two women wintered at the research station, and it was only after the 1990s that regular female participation began.
Beside portraying inspirational female researchers and explorers as role models goal is to document the dramatic changes of our planet’s climate system in its very hotspot in the Arctic region, in Svalbard where since 1991, mean annual air temperatures there have risen at a rate 5.1°C (41.18°F), which seven times the global average for the same period. With this project I want raise awareness about the urgency to protect the wonders of this region and with that the climate and the future of our planet.
Each woman was portrayed in the magical night atmosphere of Ny-Ålesund, with her research or professional tool, in a place she is connected to through her work or her dreams. The photos are accompanied by quotes and information about her scientific work or her dreams. They all have one thing in common: care, concern and love for the most fragile environment of our planet.
The project is planned to be displayed in museums and photo festivals. Here only a small selection is shown.
Julia Martin holds an automatic snow depth probe, to measure the thickness of the snowpack. Julia is a snow scientists, researching how snow influences the thaw of permafrost. Snow in winter can act as an insulator keeping the ground below warm – very similar to a duvet. In spring snow can be a strong reflector for solar radiation keeping the ground cool. Those processes can have affects on the permafrost temperature and with that on permafrost thawing.
“I can’t save the people but I will try to save the planet by pointing on its screams, bleeding wounds and scars. For me the most vulnerable and most beautiful spots on our earth lie in high latitude regions, where snow creates those amazing and fascinating landscapes of endless white and winter. The cryosphere needs protection and understanding as it is utterly sensitive and fragile even though ice masses seem to be extremly massive and long lasting.
That’s what I am trying to do. Science is my powerful way to wake people up and show our society what we will lose if we continue to only think about ourselves, when nobody wants to change.” – Julia Martin
Susana Garcia Espada stands in the geodetic observatory building with the observatory‘s 20m diameter radiolescope in the background. This radiotelescope looks into the most distant galaxies to measure and monitor regional and global earth’s crust changes, how our planet is rotating and its exact position in space. The observatory’s antennas record signals from distant celestial objects known as quasars, up to 13 billion light-years away. From the pulsating lights, the antennas can measure where our Earth is in space, its rotation and how fast its orbit around the sun is, and relative crust movements – all factors that affect our climate.
“I feel grateful everyday for this challenge and opportunity to work in the Geodetic Observatory in Ny-Ålesund. I love the Artic landscapes. I am everyday impressed by its light and changes. I am grateful to be surrounded by Artic nature, it makes me feel more connected to the environment and myself.” – Susana Garcia Espada
„Dogs have always been a big part of my life and identity. An extension of myself if you will. In the picture Sputnik is asking me for his favourite toy – a ball. We live a simple and yet so enriched life tucked away up here in the arctic. Both in our favourite element, skiing is out favourite hobby.
It’s raw and humbling to have the ruthless nature right in your backyard. That is what captivated me in 2016 when I first moved to Svalbard- the crazy contrasts of the brutal arctic nature and the comfort of the community with very high standard considering its location. It’s something I struggle to fathom how the two can coexist in the same place. After working with tourism for some years I wanted to contribute and shift my work towards the science that focuses on preserving the distinctive nature, flora and fauna here on Svalbard. The position at the station fitted like a glove and now I am a year into my two year contract.
For me, the drive for adventure and a need for something so overwhelmingly bold is what lead me to the arctic. I was in a bad state in the years prior to moving north,I needed something to shake me up a bit to distract me from myself. Svalbard has helped me overcome many struggles and pushed me to become a better version of myself.“ – Signe Maria Brunk
Marin Katarina stands with her moving box front on London one house, the northenmost home in world. She is the new residence of the house.
“ I’ve always loved winter, and especially being the first to walk in snow with no marks, no footprints. Here on Svalbard with vast snow-covered landscapes I can do that a lot! I have moved around a lot, between countries and cities since I was 15. I don’t really have a group of friends or activities, or my own home. I don’t feel connected to anyplace. Therefore it was easy to move again when corona happened and the restaurant I worked at closed down. I moved up here by chance, I saw the job-application, got it, and moved, all in less than a week. Up here, there are many people like me, who don’t belong anywhere. This makes me feel more connected to them somehow, none of us have a home or lots of people down there so we’re helping each other create a home up here, during our stay. we behave like we’ve known each other for years, and it feels like we have. Yes, the landscape and the outdooractivities are spectacular, but it’s the sense of home and familiarity that makes me stay. „ – Marin Katarina Havnås
Katie Sipes dressed as her favorite character, Elsa from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’. It was her dream to wear this costume in the Norwegian Arctic winter in Svalbard, as the story is based in Norway and emphasizes that “strong females can achieve many things” – explained in her own words. For Katie, this character is inspirational to her scientific work, as she wants to forge her own path, same as Elsa in the movie.
“My personal motivation to study the Arctic is twofold; First, to investigate some of the most incredible environments on earth and the organisms that rely on these environments. Secondly, studying these organisms and environments will allow humans to better understand the magnitude and incredible diversity that lives on our own planet and therefore will help prime us to understand other planets ! I feel a sense of personal connection to the Arctic because this pure and endangered ecosystem is at the cusp of being lost forever. The purity of the Arctic amplifies the desire to preserve and study all of its hidden secrets that might change our world forever.” Katie Sipes