About me

Hi, I’m Bec and I’m a polar marine biologist.

At the heart of my research is a big question: how are polar marine ecosystems changing? I tackle it by looking at some of the smallest pieces of the puzzle - the microscopic phytoplankton and sea-ice algae. These tiny organisms form the base of polar food webs, so changes in how they grow, function and survive can affect the whole ecosystem.

I’m an adventurer at heart and endlessly curious about the natural world, especially the strange and extreme ways life survives in polar environments. I like research that gets me into the field and lets me follow a question from what is actually happening in the environment. Some days that means sampling sea ice at -20°C; other days it means staring down a microscope or analysing data. Over the past decade, I’ve worked on sea ice from research ships and remote field stations across Greenland, Svalbard and the central Arctic Ocean.

A big part of what I do is sharing that science. I regularly share my polar research through television, radio and media, speak at conferences and public events, visit schools and teach and supervise university students. I especially enjoy sharing the stories, people and places behind the science - the parts that don’t always make it into the final paper.

I care a lot about who gets to take part in science. I’m a strong advocate for women and greater diversity in field research, and I enjoy teaching, mentoring and helping create opportunities for others to get involved in polar science.

When I’m not on the sea-ice, I’m happiest somewhere else outdoors: skiing, camping, kayaking, riding horses…always finding an excuse to be somewhere cold!