Antarctic Animal Atmospheres: An Environmental History of Bird Island

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I propose to study the way that human and non-human animals have interacted and defined their inhabited spaces inAntarctica. I will examine one ecological space and the complex interactions between human and non-human animalsthat occur there across time. I propose to conduct this research on Bird Island in collaboration with the long-term HighPredator Monitoring Program (HPMP) conducted by the British Antarctic Survey. The research questions I propose are:What is the animal atmosphere created and experienced by albatross and gentoo populations on Bird Island? How havehuman attitudes, discourses and behaviours influenced this atmosphere over time? I aim to bring into conversation thefields of more-than-human geography and ethnography, environmental history and ornithological scientific research. Theobjective of this research project is to understand the relationships within and influences upon a biodiverse Antarcticenvironment over time. By focussing on local power relationships on Bird Island this research will aim to contribute a newperspective to discussions of Antarctic governance and scientific practice. By understanding both human and non-humananimals as actors within a biodiverse Antarctic environment this research will seek to reframe discussions of Antarctic'exceptionalism' to instead focus upon the development of a specific ecological spaces. In doing so, I will question theimplications of defining Antarctica as a 'continent for science'.