Fulbright sponsors NZ speakers at major international Antarctic conference
Fulbright New Zealand is sponsoring researchers from three different New Zealand universities to speak at next week’s
fifth Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference in Portland, Oregon. The major
international conference is held every two years to draw attention to Antarctic issues, and provides an opportunity for
scientists from a variety of disciplines and countries to present their work and network within the global Antarctic
science community.
New Zealand speakers at this year’s SCAR Open Science Conference, from 16-19 July, will include three university
researchers funded under Fulbright New Zealand’s Travel Award programme, which funds New Zealand academics, artists or
professionals to present their work to American audiences. Dr Rochelle Constantine from the University of Auckland will
present her research on tracking East Australian humpback whales to their Antarctic feeding grounds. University of
Waikato PhD candidate Tanya O’Neill will present research on soil surface recovery from vehicle and foot traffic in
Antarctica, and Dr Inga Smith from the University of Otago will present research on sea ice growth rates near Antarctic
ice shelves.
“We are delighted to support the attendance of these three New Zealanders at such a significant conference. We are sure
that their contributions will be valuable to the international scientific community and to policy makers,” says
Fulbright New Zealand’s Executive Director, Mele Wendt. “Like the Fulbright education exchange programme, Antarctic
research is consistently recognised as a strong point in NZ-US collaboration.”
In addition to speaking at the SCAR conference, each Fulbright grantee will share their knowledge more broadly in the
United States, including with colleagues at Oregon State University, Dartmouth College and the University of Washington,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle and the
Stellwegen Bank National Marine Sanctuary at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay.
Last week 2012 Fulbright US graduate student Wells Weymouth returned to the US, having completed a Postgraduate
Certificate in Antarctic Studies at the University of Canterbury. Wells travelled to Antarctica last summer to observe
the circadian rhythms of workers.
ENDS