Hello, thank you for visiting my Gofundme page.

I am extremely thrilled and honoured to have been selected as photographer to join the Arts Team on the Sea Women Expeditions to document the upcoming scientific expedition to Arctic Norway in November 2022. A landscape and portrait photographer and Producer, Project Manager in the creative industry based in the Southeast of England. I am excited to join this worldwide team of incredibly talented and inspiring women, specialists in all areas across STEMM and the arts.

ABOUT SEA WOMEN EXPEDITIONS

In 2014, Susan R. Eaton founded Sea Women Expeditions (formally Sedna Epic Expeditions), whose mission is to scout, record, and document disappearing sea ice in the Arctic. Sea Women Expeditions provides opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to gain leadership skills and field experience in Exploration and the Arts and Sciences. Together, these women are creating planet-wide ripple effects.

Sea Women Expeditions have mounted three snorkel and dive expeditions to the Arctic, conducting ocean research. In consultation with Inuit advisors and team members, Sea Women Expeditions sixty sea women have delivered their innovative ocean knowledge sharing and mobilization program to 1,000 Inuit youths, girls and Elders in Labrador, Nunavut and Greenland.

Film produced by GARMIN video produced during our inaugural ocean research and winter snorkel expedition to Arctic Norway in November 2019.

ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

In November-December 2022, we will travel to Norway's Arctic fjords—situated some 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle—to study the winter herring run. Every winter, scientists, snorkelers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike are witness to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet—thousands of orcas and humpbacks congregating in remote Norwegian fjords (70 degrees North latitude) to feed on vast schools of herring.

Our 2022 Arctic Norway Team is comprised of 40 Sea Women who will participate in a women’s leadership program in Tromsø, followed by an ocean research & snorkel expedition.

Our team of Sea Women and esteemed advisors originate from twelve countries—Canada, the United States, Mexico, England, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Poland, and Australia—and includes First Nations and Inuit women from Canada, Inuit women from Greenland, and Sami women from Norway and Sweden.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The first stage of our expedition involves running a two day women’s leadership program in Tromso to discuss women’s growing representation in policy, exploration and STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) Careers. Sea Women Expedition team members will provide insights about the unique issues that Inuit women face in Canada’s High Arctic.

During the leadership program, we hope to collaborate with Sami women, much like we’ve connected with Inuit women and girls during Sedna's Expeditions, to better understand this part of the Arctic, its history, geography, and the culture and traditions of its Indigenous people.

We anticipate many women will attend the Women’s leadership program, including the team and advisors from Sea Women Expeditions, Sami women and women involved in advancing gender equality in the Arctic, including scientific, environmental, societal and policy issues.

THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF ORCAS & HUMPBACKS

Following the women’s leadership program, the team will spend time aboard a research vessel and will be undertaking scientific research. Some of the scientific research carried out will include the photographic, acoustic and genetic identification of orcas and humpback whales. Other research includes the extraction of Environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples which will reveal the presence of certain species, analysing ocean conditions, welfare and behaviour studies on the whales and documenting the effects of climate change. Other projects involve investigating marine geology; micro-plastics and plankton. The data and media collected will be used in film, media, educational opportunities, and workshops worldwide.

WHY AM I INVOLVED

I first travelled to the Arctic in 2017, seeing the vast empty landscapes and the aurora up close for the first time is the most incredible experience I have ever had and will never forget. I am looking forward to being surrounded by a team of extremely inspiring and talented women in the world of science and the arts who share the same passion working towards a shared goal. I will have the opportunity to not only document the process, but will be able to expand my knowledge, learning more about the impact human interaction has on wildlife in the Arctic region, along with collecting important data to document ocean change in the battle against climate change. I am sure this expedition will inspire and encourage women and girls to pursue careers in STEMM, helping to create positive change for the future of this incredibly fragile part of the world.

WHY I NEED YOUR HELP

Raising funds for expeditions is undoubtedly the largest hurdle that explorers face. To be able to participate and support this important research project, myself and all other participants need to contribute 100% of the costs. To help offset some of these costs I am seeking sponsorship, grants, and support from those who are able to help. No amount will be too small and will be really appreciated.

Fundraising Costs

Liveaboard, shared cabin – € 4,600

Gear hire – € 100.00

Administration fee - $USD 300.00

Return flights from London to Tromso - € 600.00

Hotels and food expenses in Oslo and Tromso - € 1, 200.00

Insurance - € 500

I hope to raise around 75% of the costs. I am offering my services as a photographer and am holding an exhibition at the end of September, with profits from the sale of my pictures contributing towards the expedition. So please do get in touch!

You can follow my journey on my website and Instagram

Header image is courtesy of expedition partner Waterproof Cruises & Expeditions and copyright of Jens Wikström - Wildlife Photographer & Naturalist.