Katie has a background in community development, social and environmental advocacy, and cultural studies, and plans to draw on this experience to investigate civic participation in the Antarctic gateway cities. Taking a particular focus on Hobart and Punta Arenas (Chile), Katie’s PhD project used a variety of social research methods, including rapid policy network analysis and in-depth interviewing, to examine the ways in which local residents benefit from and contribute to their city’s Antarctic activities. She aims to use this research to develop new frameworks for participation that can be inform future community engagement strategies in the marine and Antarctic sector.