Conducting research in Antarctica means working with small teams, limited supplies and conditions that can disrupt even the most carefully planned study. It also means asking colleagues to become participants while living and working alongside them.
In this session recorded at WEM24, Carole Dangoisse and Nadja Albertsen draw on their experiences at Concordia Station, in Greenland and on the Inspire 22 South Pole expedition to explore what expedition research involves.
They discuss how studies of physiology, psychology and human performance can inform space medicine, clinical care and healthcare in remote communities. Through examples from their own work, they examine the challenges of collecting and storing samples, protecting data, maintaining equipment and keeping participants engaged.
The session also considers consent, confidentiality and the limitations of small, less diverse study populations, alongside practical advice on finding collaborators and getting involved in expedition research.