Jennifer Arthur, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a glaciologist and remote sensing polar scientist, focusing on monitoring the Antarctic Ice Sheet. In particular, I am interested in ice sheet surface hydrology, ice shelf evolution, ice shelf-sea ice-mélange interactions, and surface climate-firn-mass balance interactions. My PhD research focused on understanding the controls on the distribution and evolution of supraglacial lakes and the potential impact on ice-sheet mass balance and dynamics. Currently, I mainly use satellite datasets such as laser and radar altimetry together with model outputs for applications including quantifying ice-shelf calving, grounding line change, tide model validation and subglacial lake detection. Alongside my research, I am a keen advocate of polar science outreach and communication, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in science.

What keeps you going?

I am motivated by a curiosity of our polar regions and wanting to contribute to improving our understanding of the rapid, climate-driven changes in the Antarctic and Arctic. There are still so many critical questions we don’t yet have the answers to about how these complex, unique systems work. It is also such a privilege to be part of such an international, interdisciplinary polar science community full of fantastic people.

What’s your message to the world?

My advice, especially to other early-career polar scientists, is: be curious, take opportunities as they arise, ask questions. Celebrate everyone’s strengths and differences. Give those around you the support and space to fully participate in polar science. Collectively, we can make a difference.