Vanessa Heggie

Dr Vanessa Heggie is a historian of science and medicine, focusing on the life sciences and the sciences allied with medicine from about 1800 to present day. She has published widely on the history of exploration, extreme physiology, and altitude and polar science, particularly in her second book, Higher and Colder, a history of extreme physiology and exploration science. Her particular interests relating to polar science are in the history of field work, physiology, acclimatisation and adaptation, the role of i/Indigenous peoples and their knowledges, and the practice of citizen science. She also regularly participates in public engagement work.

Research projects / interests:

• History of biomedical field work in the polar regions
• History of use of Indigenous/Traditional Knowledge, environmental and medical
• History of human acclimatisation and adaptation to new environments
• The Anthropocene; responses to climate change
• Citizen Science
• History of public health & infectious diseases in Antarctica
• History of first aid & emergency medicine

Areas of interest:

• Humanities
• Literature
• History
• Anthropology
• Cultural Studies
• Values

Keywords: History, History of Medicine, History of Science, Citizen Science