"Science is not just a boy's subject”

Monday 12 February 2018

A Jersey-born geochemist is in the middle of final preparations ahead of an Antarctic adventure which will see her spend three weeks on a ship with female scientists in a bid to research climate change and inspire more women to get into science.

Dr Ellen Moon is one of the 80 scientists selected to take part in the third edition of the Homeward Bound Programme, which departs from Ushuaia, Argentina, on 18 February.

Born in Jersey, she went to Janvrin School and then JCG, before going to Bristol for her MA. In 2012, she received her PhD in Ocean and Earth Science from the University of Southampton Oceanography Centre. She then moved to Australia where she has worked in both industry and academia, on projects related to environmental sustainability of industrial processes and resilience of remediated landscapes to climate change. A geochemist at Southern Cross University,  she is due to take up a position at Melbourne University lecturing in Environmental Engineering and heading up her own research team.

Passionate about the environment and making science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers more attractive to girls, she didn't have to think much about whether or not to apply for Homeward Bound. Described as a "groundbreaking leadership, strategic and science initiative for women, set against the backdrop of Antarctica," it aims to "heighten the influence and impact of women with a science background in order to influence policy and decision making as it shapes our planet."

Pictured: Participants of the Homeward Bound programme watching minke whales. (Homeward Bound)

Dr Moon explains: "What motivated me to apply was the two main theme of Homeward Bound, gender equality and climate change. Part of my job is to research climate change and the gender issue is something I am really interested in. Women are still under represented in science and one of the big aims of the programme is to upscale women in science, that appealed to me." 

She will be joined by 79 other scientists, aged 23 to 60, from 23 countries and different branches of science. The team includes veterinarians, pilots as well as academics, professors and environmentalists to name only a few. After a two-month virtual leadership programme, they will be spending 23 days together, including 19 at sea around the Antarctic Peninsula. The 80 women will be split into groups to work on different projects. They will also have daily lectures and workshops and one-on-one lessons.

The 33-year-old geochemist explains: "A really big part of the programme is about forming a network of women with different experiences in life and science. We will also have a faculty on board with eight or nine science and leadership experts who will help us improve our skills.

"If it wasn't for this experience, some of us would have never crossed paths because we live in different areas and all have busy lives. It really is invaluable."

Pictured: Dr Ellen Moon examining marine sediments. (Girish Choppala)

For Dr Moon, Homeward Bound is not only the opportunity to show "real appreciation of how special Antartica is and how it needs to be preserved," but also to promote scientific careers for young girls. She explains: "Women are underrepresented in scientific and technical disciplines. It is improving as there are more women coming through the door but it is still a male dominated discipline."

By raising the profile and visibility of women in science, Dr Moon hopes it will help inspire girls to get into the same careers. She says: "I think a lot of it is getting young girls in science. I was lucky that my parents were encouraging us to do subjects we liked. I also went to JCG, a girls-only schools, no subjects were for boys. I didn't experience outwards discrimination but when I was at uni, I was one of eight girls in a class with 100 men. It can be intimidating.

"I just want girls to know that science is not just a boy's subject. They can turn it into a career like I have done. The more they see women in science, the more it will help inspire them. Ten years ago, in science programmes, it was mainly old, male presenters. Now they have experts of all ages and some are female. Times are changing."

Pictured: The ship leaving Ushuaia, Argentina. (Monica Araya)

For now, Dr Moon is focused on the final preparations for her Antarctic adventure. While most of her time the past few months has been focused on preparing material for the course on the ship, in the final days before departure she has thought of more little details. "I am realising more and more little things that I forgot. I have spent the past few days ironing labels on my clothes. We have all been sponsored by Kathmandu but it means we all have the same clothes!"

To sponsor Dr Moon visit her Chuffed fundraising page.