News Article

Melissa Haeffner, a post-doctoral sociologist at Utah State University and iUTAH researcher, returned from an Antarctica science expedition in early January 2017. She was one of 76 women from 15 countries chosen to take part in the 'Homeward Bound' expedition - a new initiative aiming to boost the impact of female scientists.

The expedition’s purpose was to facilitate research collaboration and leadership development for women in science. Scientists came from a variety of backgrounds, including astronomers, engineers, physicists, and doctors. Haeffner’s goal was to study the human participants. She returned with interviews, pictures, and insight from her participation in the largest ever all-female expedition to Antarctica.

“As a social scientist who is more interested in the strange species of scientists than penguins, I relished the opportunity to study some of the top specimens in their fields" said Haeffner.

Since returning to Utah, she has been preparing reports and presenting her findings to students of all ages, scientists, and the community. Most recently, she presented to high school sophomores in Wisconsin via Skype, and to students and faculty at Utah State University.

When not traveling to far away places, Haeffner is part of iUTAH EPSCoR, a National Science Foundation funded interdisciplinary project where she uses a variety of social science methods to examine how people’s views shape what we know relating to water resources in Utah.

Press: KUSU Radio | The Herald Journal