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:
- 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?
- Which ideas, analogies, and metaphors related to Antarctica is COVID-19 reinforcing, which is it challenging?
- 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.