About the Research Team

Victoria Beale: BA (French Studies); MA (Environmental Anthropology)

Vicki's interest in the Southern Ocean started in her undergraduate degree when she researched Antarctica and its encircling ocean. This interest in Southern Ocean relations was explored in greater depth in Vicki's postgraduate degree 'Southern Ocean Relations: Modernity's Interpretation of the Marine', it examined the Southern Ocean's role in Earth's planetary care system as well as Indigenous 'Sea Country' perspectives, China and India's approach to Antartica relations, media representations, and the intersection of political power and scientific knowledge that governs the Antarctica and the Southern Ocean up to Latitude 60° South. For Vicki's PhD project, the northern limit of the Southern Ocean shifts to Australia's southern coastal rim as defined by the Australian Government.

Dr Ruth Gamble: Deputy Director (Research), La Trobe Asia and Senior Lecturer, History

With experience in multiple large-scale interdisciplinary research projects with fieldwork components over 15 years, Rut will engage with  this research project, particularly in relation to environmental theory and interdisciplinary pursuits.   

Dr Brooke Wilsmen: Director of the Master of International Development and the Convenor of the Major in Sustainability and Development and Associate Professor, Anthropology

Will 20 years of field research experience using the mixed method approach, Brooke will support this research, especially in relation to focus groups and community dialogue.