SC-HASS Research Project: The Impact of COVID-19 on Antarctica

COVID 19 web

The implications of a global pandemic for how we engage with Antarctica, with each other and in our institutions, have been on the minds of many and have forced a re-examination of our values, our priorities and our ways of life.  It prompted the Standing Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences to respond to a suggestion by the SCAR President to look into this topic further.  This is how this project was born.

In June 2021, Project Director Daniela Liggett talked about the research project in the episode “Visitors and the Virus” on the Polar Times podcast. You can listen to the episode on Google Podcasts, PodBean, Spotify or Amazon.

About

Research Questions:

What is the impact of COVID-19 on Antarctic research and researchers?

What are the long-term implications of COVID-19 for Antarctic operations and governance?

Survey:

The research team created a survey about COVID-19 impacts for Antarctic researchers, support staff, students, and anyone else involved in Antarctic research or logistics to complete. Responses have helped the team to understand how the community is affected and will inform strategic decisions to mitigate impacts. Results from this survey can be accessed in the Final Report.

Work Packages:

The project is structured into six Work Packages (WP) and is using a mixed-methods approach to meeting its research objectives, including futures scanning, interviews, surveys, social media analysis, media-based desk study, document analysis, and literature reviews. Currently more than 40 researchers from all over the world and with different disciplinary backgrounds, from anthropology to zoology, are contributing to this project.

COVID 19 Project Infographic web

Outputs:

Panel Discussion: Cultural Perceptions of Antarctica, held during the 2021 SC-HASS Conference:

Contact:

If you have any questions or would like to share with us project-relevant work that you have undertaken, please contact Daniela Liggett (Project Director) or Andrea Herbert (Project Manager).

WP1 - Antarctic Futures

COVID 19 WP1 landscape web
About:

Using futures-scanning and scenario-building, this WP studies how the pandemic is shaping global order and geopolitics. A specific focus is on emerging risks and opportunities in relation to collective Antarctic governance.

Research questions:
  1. With a focus on international relations and governance, how is the COVID-19 pandemic shaping global order and geopolitics?
  2. What risks and opportunities emerge in a post-COVID-19 global order in relation to collective Antarctic governance?
  3. What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related global developments on Antarctic governance decision-making mechanisms?
Researchers:

Patrick Flamm
Bob Frame
Yelena Yermakova
Renuka Badhe
Gabriel De Paula
Germana Nicklin
Francisco Tuñez

Outputs:

Yermakova, Y., G. Nicklin, B. Frame, P. Flamm, G. de Paula, R. Badhe, F. Tuñez (2021): “Antarctica’s Gateways and Gatekeepers: Polar scenarios in a polarising Anthropocene.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic“, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021

Frame B, Yermakova Y, Flamm P, et al. (2021) “Antarctica’s Gateways and Gatekeepers: Polar scenarios in a polarising Anthropocene”. The Anthropocene Review. DOI: 10.1177/20530196211026341

Frame, B. & A. Hemmings (2020). “Coronavirus at the end of the world: Antarctica matters.” Social Sciences & Humanities Open 2(1). DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2020.100054.

 

WP2 - Antarctic Research & Decision-Making

AVdP SCAR 0231 ice swathe web
About:

This WP examines the impact of the pandemic on Antarctic researchers and decision-makers, drawing on results from a survey as well as relevant impacts-related literature.

Research questions:
  1. What are the impacts of COVID-19 on Antarctic researchers and anyone contributing to Antarctic research?
  2. How do the impacts vary according to demographic?
  3. What do researchers need? What strategies have been, or could be adopted, to meet those needs?
Researchers:

Ilan Kelman (Co-Lead)
Cristian Lorenzo (Co-Lead)
Jennifer Pickett (Co-Lead)
Yelena Yermakova (Co-Lead)
Katelyn Hudson
Won Sang Lee
Pedro Marques Quinteiro
Meredith Nash
Diego Navarro
Miranda Nieboer
Fernando Saavedra
Morgan Seag

Outputs:

In progress: Liggett, D. et al.: “Researchers on ice? How COVID-19 impacted on Antarctic scientists.”

Liggett, D., A. Herbert, R. Badhe, G. Charnley, K. Hudson, I. Kelman, W. S. Lee, C. Lorenzo, P. Marques Quinteiro, M. Nash, J. Pickett, & Y. Yermakova (2021): “COVID-19’s Impacts on People Doing Antarctic Research.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic”, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021.

Charnley, G., D. Liggett, A. Herbert, I. Kelman, W. S. Lee, C. Lorenzo, M. Nash, Y. Yermakova, K. Hudson, P. Marques Quinteiro, M. Nieboer, J. Pickett, R. Badhe (2021): “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Antarctic researchers through a gendered lens.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic”, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021.

Kelman, I. (2021). “Profiles of Norwegian Science: COVID-19 affecting Antarctic research”. The Norwegian American, 18 June 2021.

Kelman, I. (2021). “Antarctic Research Has Been Hard-Hit by COVID-19.” Psychology Today, 28 April 2021. www.psychologytoday.com

Liggett, D. et al. (2021). “Antarctic research at a time of crisis: The impact of COVID-19 on the Antarctic research community.” Presentation given at the 2021 New Zealand Antarctic Science Conference.

SCAR XXXVI Paper 35: Antarctic COVID-19 Project – Final Report.

Lorenzo, C., D. Liggett, B. Frame, A. Herbert, I. Kelman, J. Pickett, & Y. Yermakova (2020). “Antarctica and the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking a Social Sciences and Humanities perspective.” Environment Coastal & Offshore (ECO).

Liggett, D. (2020): “Small glimmers of hope amidst the turmoil of a pandemic? The implications of COVID-19 for Antarctic research and governance.” 5 August 2020, SCAR2020 Online.

Liggett, D. (2020): Contribution to panel discussion on the Impact of Covid-19 on Antarctic research.

 

WP3 - Antarctic Tourism

COVID 19 WP3 tourist boats web
About:

With input from IAATO, this group researches the impact of the pandemic on Antarctic tourism. Considering two subsidiary topics (Tourism & Operations and Policy & Permitting), methods include a survey/interviews and document analysis.

Research questions:
  1. What is the impact of COVID- 19 on Antarctic tourism?
  2. What are the implications of COVID-19 for the future of the industry and its operations in a post-pandemic world?
Researchers:

Hanne Nielsen (Lead)
Daniela Cajiao (Co-Lead)
Gabriela Roldan (Co-Lead)
Karen Alexander
Javier Benayas
Valentina Dinica
Andrea Herbert
Jasmine Lee
Yu-Fai Leung
Amanda Lynnes
Yliana Rodriguez
Daniela Sampaio
Pablo Tejedo
Jane Verbitsky

Outputs:

Nielsen, H., D. Cajiao, G. Roldan, J. Benayas, A. Herbert, Y.-F. Leung, P. Tejedo, V. Dinica: “Is COVID-19 helping, or hindering, effective management of Antarctic Tourism?“, Polar Perspectives No. 10, The Wilson Center.

Report on the initial approach and discussion to the guiding questions for WP3 Tourism Group on COVID-19. (SWOT Analysis of COVID challenges for tourism).

WP4 - Perceptions of Antarctica

COVID 19 WP4 book cover web
About:

In two overlapping subgroups (Media Representations of Antarctica and Cultural History) using media analysis methods, this WP researches how public perceptions of Antarctica have changed through the pandemic. Geographical focus is on the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile.

Research questions:
  1. How is COVID-19 impacting on perceptions of Antarctica, as a protected environment, an internationally governed space, a workplace, an object of scientific investigation, and a travel destination?
  2. Which ideas, analogies, and metaphors related to Antarctica is COVID-19 reinforcing, which is it challenging?
  3. How are public health strategies such as lockdown and isolation being mediated through Antarctic experience?
Researchers:

Elizabeth Leane (Co-Lead)
Charne Lavery (Co-Lead)
Meredith Nash
Karen Alexander
Linda Hunt
Katie Marx
Mary Tahan
Mengzhu (Maggie) Zhang

Outputs:

“Cultural Perceptions of Antarctica during COVID-19” at the Global Antarctic (SC-HASS) Biennial conference. 2021 SCAR SC-HASS Biennial Conference (2021/11/19) – Zoom

In progress: Nash, M., E. Leane and K. Norris: “‘It’s just that uncertainty that eats away at people’: Antarctic expeditioners’ lived experiences of COVID-19.” Under consideration by Environment & Behaviour.
 
Alexander, K.A., K. Marx, L. Hunt and M. Zhang: “Antarctic representation in print media during the emergence of COVID-19.” Accepted contingent on minor revisions by Antarctic Science.

Leane, E., C. Lavery and M. Nash. “‘The only almost germ-free continent left’: Pandemics and purity in cultural perceptions of Antarctica.”  Under consideration by Environmental Humanities.

WP5 - Antarctic Wildlife

COVID 19 WP5 king and chick web
About:

This team aims to assess the potential risk of reverse-zoonotic transmission to Antarctic wildlife and to determine how the expected reduction of human activity in Antarctica due to COVID-19 can affect Antarctic wildlife.

Research questions:
  1. What is the risk of introducing SARS-CoV-2 to Antarctica?
  2. What is the stability and infectivity of the virus in the Antarctic environment?
  3. How susceptible is Antarctic wildlife to SARS-CoV-2?
Researchers:

Andres Barbosa (Co-Lead)
Meagan Dewar (Co-Lead)

Outputs:

Barbosa, A., Varsani, A., Morandini, V., Grimaldi, W., Vanstreels, R.E.T., Diaz, J., Boulinier, T., Dewar, M., González-Acuña, D., Gray, R., McMahon, C.R., Miller, G., Power, M., Gamble, A., Wille, M. (2020). Risk Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic Wildlife. Science of the Total Environment (accepted). doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143352

SCAR EG-BAMM, Polar Wildlife Health online webinar, 20 October 2020.

Barbosa, A. (2020): “La Antártida: la última frontera para la pandemia.” The Conversation, 29 December 2020.

Power, M. and M. Dewar (2021). “COVID has reached Antarctica. Scientists are extremely concerned for its wildlife.” The Conversation, 11 February 2021.

Barbosa A. (2021): “COVID-19 and polar research.” Invited talk given at XII APECS Portugal, 30th November, in Porto, Portugal.

WP6 - Synthesis

AVdP SCAR 0037 tabular icebergs pink sky web
About:

This WP will consolidate the results obtained from all other WPs and aims at developing a suite of recommended actions to be taken to mitigate adverse impacts of COVID-19 on Antarctic communities of practice.

Researchers:

Daniela Liggett
Pete Convey
Klaus Dodds
Bob Frame
Kevin Hughes
Peder Roberts

Outputs:

In progress: Liggett, D. et al.: “‘Dis-ease’ in the Antarctic: How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Antarctic communities of practice.”

Liggett, D. “Small glimmers of hope amidst the turmoil of a pandemic? The implications of COVID-19 for Antarctic research and governance.” 5 August 2020, SCAR2020 Online.

Outputs and Events

General:

Daniela Liggett (2021) – “Visitors and the Virus“, Polar Times podcast, 8 June 2021.

 

WP1:

Frame B., Y. Yermakova, P. Flamm et al. (2021) “Antarctica’s Gateways and Gatekeepers: Polar scenarios in a polarising Anthropocene”. The Anthropocene Review. DOI: 10.1177/20530196211026341

Frame, B. & A. Hemmings (2020). “Coronavirus at the end of the world: Antarctica matters.” Social Sciences & Humanities Open 2(1). DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2020.100054.

Yermakova, Y., G. Nicklin, B. Frame, P. Flamm, G. de Paula, R. Badhe, F. Tuñez (2021): “Antarctica’s Gateways and Gatekeepers: Polar scenarios in a polarising Anthropocene.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic”, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021. – https://scarschass-pls2021.jp/presentation_scarschass/scarschass_2_upload/antarctic-gateways-and-gatekeepers-scenarios-in-a-polarising-anthropocene/

 

WP2:

SCAR XXXVI Paper 35: Antarctic COVID-19 Project – Final Report.

Liggett, D. (2020): “Small glimmers of hope amidst the turmoil of a pandemic? The implications of COVID-19 for Antarctic research and governance.” 5 August 2020, SCAR2020 Online.

Liggett, D. (2020): Contribution to panel discussion on the Impact of Covid-19 on Antarctic research.

Lorenzo, C., D. Liggett, B. Frame, A. Herbert, I. Kelman, J. Pickett, & Y. Yermakova (2020): “Antarctica and the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking a Social Sciences and Humanities perspective.” Environment Coastal & Offshore (ECO).

Liggett, D. et al (2021). “Antarctic research at a time of crisis: The impact of COVID-19 on the Antarctic research community.” Presentation given at the 2021 New Zealand Antarctic Science Conference.

Liggett, D., A. Herbert, R. Badhe, G. Charnley, K. Hudson, I. Kelman, W. S. Lee, C. Lorenzo, P. Marques Quinteiro, M. Nash, J. Pickett, & Y. Yermakova (2021): “COVID-19’s Impacts on People Doing Antarctic Research.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic”, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021. – https://scarschass-pls2021.jp/presentation_scarschass/scarschass_2_upload/covid-19s-impacts-on-people-doing-antarctic-research/

Charnley, G., D. Liggett, A. Herbert, I. Kelman, W. S. Lee, C. Lorenzo, M. Nash, Y. Yermakova, K. Hudson, P. Marques Quinteiro, M. Nieboer, J. Pickett, R. Badhe (2021): “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Antarctic researchers through a gendered lens.” Presentation given at 2021 SC-HASS Conference “The Global Antarctic”, Kobe, Japan, 18 & 19 November 2021. – https://scarschass-pls2021.jp/presentation_scarschass/scarschass_2_upload/impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-of-antarctic-researchers-through-a-gendered-lens/

Liggett, D., Herbert, A., Badhe, R., Charnley, G. E., Hudson, K. P. C., Kelman, I., … & Yermakova, Y. (2023). Researchers on ice? How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Antarctic researchers. Antarctic Science, 35(2), 141-160. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antarctic-science/article/researchers-on-ice-how-the-covid19-pandemic-has-impacted-antarctic-researchers/1D4BC362C4B5FC2B75B0603574D1E9C5

 

WP3:

Report on the initial approach and discussion to the guiding questions for WP3 Tourism Group on COVID-19. (SWOT Analysis of COVID challenges for tourism).

Nielsen, H., D. Cajiao, G. Roldan, J. Benayas, A. Herbert, Y.-F. Leung, P. Tejedo, V. Dinica, D. Portella Sampaio: “Is COVID-19 helping, or hindering, effective management of Antarctic Tourism?” The Wilson Center.

 

WP4:

“Cultural Perceptions of Antarctica during COVID-19” at the Global Antarctic (SC-HASS) Biennial conference. 2021 SCAR SC-HASS Biennial Conference (2021/11/19) – Zoom

Nash, M., Leane, E., & Norris, K. (2022). It’s just that uncertainty that eats away at people: Antarctic expeditioners’ lived experiences of COVID-19. PLoS One, 17(11), e0277676. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0277676

Alexander, K. A., Marx, K., Hunt, L., & Zhang, M. (2022). Antarctic representation in print media during the emergence of COVID-19. Antarctic Science, 34(2), 180-190. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antarctic-science/article/antarctic-representation-in-print-media-during-the-emergence-of-covid19/D47D64A8341861741FF3F359EFEDF799

Leane, E., Lavery, C., & Nash, M. (2023). “The Only Almost Germ-Free Continent Left” Pandemics and Purity in Cultural Perceptions of Antarctica. Environmental Humanities, 15(1), 109-127. https://read.dukeupress.edu/environmental-humanities/article-abstract/15/1/109/343380

 

WP5:

Barbosa, A., Varsani, A., Morandini, V., Grimaldi, W., Vanstreels, R.E.T., Diaz, J., Boulinier, T., Dewar, M., González-Acuña, D., Gray, R., McMahon, C.R., Miller, G., Power, M., Gamble, A., Wille, M. (2020). “Risk Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic Wildlife.” Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143352

SCAR EG-BAMM, Polar Wildlife Health online webinar, 20 October 2020.

Barbosa, A. (2020): “La Antártida: la última frontera para la pandemia.” The Conversation, 29 December 2020.

Power, M. and M. Dewar (2021). “COVID has reached Antarctica. Scientists are extremely concerned for its wildlife.” The Conversation, 11 February 2021.

 

WP6:

Liggett, D., Frame, B., Convey, P., & Hughes, K. A. (2024). How the COVID-19 pandemic signaled the demise of Antarctic exceptionalism. Science Advances, 10(9), eadk4424. https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/sciadv.adk4424