Joanna about to take a sediment sample on board the DANA research cruise last summer.

Joanna on board the DANA research cruise together with Katrine Elnegaard Hansen, a post doc who is also part of the EcoTip project.

What is it like being a woman in Arctic science?

Overall I feel very privileged to work in a field that I am passionate about. I think we owe a great deal to those women who have paved the way for us in terms of representation in Arctic science. As an early career researcher I have had a great experience so far; the Arctic science community in general has been open and welcoming, offering new perspectives and ideas to me and inspiring me to continue research on a daily basis.

How do you think that science is enriched by your perspectives?

In any sector or discipline I think diversity is key; we can all learn something from each other. For me, that has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a PhD student living abroad. I meet so many different people, which enriches both my personal and professional life.

What challenges have you faced as a female scientist?

In general, academia requires flexibility and willingness to move around a bit, often abroad. In our field we often go away on fieldwork for a month or so at a time. At the moment this feels like an exciting opportunity and adventure but I can imagine it becomes more difficult when you start to think about settling down or having a family, if that is what you choose to do. I think this is an issue in many sectors, but I think academia can be particularly challenging for this.