Aga Nowak, PhD

What is the work that you do?

Between 2008 and 2023 I conducted research and teaching in the Arctic and Antarctica. I focused on climate-related changes to polar environments, monitoring glacier recession, discovering changes in hydrological and biogecohemical cycles, investigating ecosystem dynamics and pushing our understanding of limits of life on Earth. In mid-2023, I moved to the industry and am now working in the Arctic cruise maritime sector, pushing green transition and minimizing environmental impact of the shipping and tourism industry.

What keeps you going?

Working in polar science allowed me to combine curiosity with purpose — to explore, understand, and help protect ecosystems that are both vital and vulnerable. Sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and uncovering previously unknown environments and processes give my work meaning. For example, discovering that blue ice in Antarctica harbours rich and diverse microbial ecosystems, and is hydrologically active despite common beliefs that high-elevation Antarctic ice is dry and lifeless, was truly eye-opening. I have a profound love for nature and believe we must take care of the world we live in. Knowing that this knowledge can inspire action, shape policy, or simply open someone’s eyes to the beauty and fragility of the polar regions gives me a deep sense of fulfilment and reminds me why this work truly matters.

What’s your message to the world?

The polar regions are the Earth’s silent storytellers – vast, fragile places that hold our planet’s memory in ice and wind. They teach us humility, reminding us how small we are and how deeply connected everything is. My message to the world is simple: listen to what these frozen landscapes are telling us. Their whisper is growing urgent – not out of anger, but out of need. The choices we make now will decide whether future generations hear the crack of ice as a warning or as a song of resilience. Protecting the poles is protecting ourselves. We need to recognise that the rapid changes unfolding in the polar regions, driven by our actions and choices, will shape our future as a species. Understanding the deep interconnectedness of Earth’s environments, and accepting our responsibility to care for the home we share, is essential if we want a livable and just future for all.