Homeward Bound to Antarctica

Article | Updated 7 years ago

In February 2018 a group of 80 women, chosen from around the world, will set sail for Antarctica to share their knowledge, leadership skills and vision for addressing gender equity in science, and tackling critical environmental conservation issues including climate change.

They are the second all-female crew to undertake the year-long leadership program with the Homeward Bound initiative. The program aims to develop the skills and capabilities of women with a science background to have a greater impact in policy and decision-making as it informs the future of our planet over the next ten years.

Among the crew is Western Australian Museum curator Jessica Brainard. 

Jessica is a science communicator with a background in environmental science who previously worked in the United States developing exhibitions for the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium and Monterey Bay Aquarium. She is now working on the science-based galleries for the New Museum Project.

Jessica recently started the year-long Homeward Bound program, which includes virtual meet-ups, online diagnostics, one-on-one leadership coaching and collaborative projects.

The learnings from this intensive and exciting leadership program will be applied to the environmental sustainability and climate science aspects of the New Museum content, and Jessica will share her knowledge and insights with Museum staff and our networks over the course of the year. 

Congratulations, Jessica, we look forward to hearing about your journey!