Gabriela Roldan

Gabriela Roldan is a PhD candidate at Gateway Antarctica, the Centre for Antarctic Research and Studies at the University of Canterbury (NZ). Gabriela’s work focuses on the Antarctic Gateway cities of: Cape Town (South Africa), Christchurch (New Zealand), Hobart (Australia), Punta Arenas (Chile) and Ushuaia (Argentina) and the connections that these cities construct in regard to Antarctica. Her research project aims to determine if so-called ‘Gateway’ connections result in a unique “Antarctic identity” that might transcend national boundaries.

Gabriela grew up in Ushuaia (Argentina) and living so close to Antarctica sparked the curiosity and passion that have taken her to Antarctica more than 40 times. She has been involved in a range of roles, from training winter base staff to assisting policy makers on Antarctic tourism matters. Gabriela continues working as a naturalist guide for Antarctic cruise ships, as well as creating educational programmes for children and developing teaching resources in NZ.

• Research projects / interests:
  • Antarctic gateway cities
  • Nationalism and National identity
  • Antarctic geopolitics
  • Antarctic tourism
  • Antarctic education and outreach

Keywords: Policy, Polar Governance, Tourism, Community Identity, Human Geography, Social Psychology