Crisis in Antarctica: can science teams ever prepare for isolated assignments?

The South African National Antarctic Expedition research base, Sanae IV, at Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land, where there have been allegations of violence. Photograph: Dr Ross Hofmeyr

South Africa has a tight regime for scientists wanting to “overwinter” in Antarctica. The 13-month assignment to an isolated research base on the top of a cliff edge is, as the environment ministry drily puts it, “testing”. Average annual temperatures are -16C but drop much lower during the winter darkness.

All applicants are subjected to psychometric analysis “to ensure they are able to cope with the isolation, and can work and live with others in the confined space of the bases”, said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. “Only candidates who do not have any negative outcomes from all the background evaluations will be considered.”