Hi! This is Amanda, a benthic ecologist currently working in Tromsø, Norway.

If you are a student at a university, or even in high school, a great way to start getting involved in research is to talk to scientists at a local university and see what projects they are currently working on. If something interests you, ask if you can help! The worst they can say is no :) For example, bachelor students conducting thesis research often get to work in a lab or participate in field sampling trips. During my Ph.D., we had at least 4 undergraduate students working on thesis projects who were able to come on research cruises all the way to Antarctica. The more experience you get with research early and make your interests known to your professors, the more likely it is that you will be able to help on a research cruise. You can also look for outreach events. For example, sometimes research vessels are open for tours when they are in port, and research facilities (including universities and museums) host open house days when they showcase what research they are conducting. These can be great ways to learn what is going on at a university near you, or learn about something that might really excite you!

Hei,

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Research Cruise: First it depends on your expertise. Research cruises are very expensive, so space is given to those who can contribute in some way. These people are mostly scientists from the fields of Biology, Physics, Oceanograpyh, geology, etc. But there are occasionally also artists on board for outreach purposes. And of course the crew of the ships, should you be a mariner. If not, this gets very difficult. Sorry.

Research Projects: Same question about your profession and level. if you are a student, you could study at universities with polar themes or do your bachelors/masters/PhDs there in a field relevant for polar science. If you are a scientists, collaborations are usually welcome and you have to talk to your colleagues in the field. If you are neither, it again gets a bit tricky. Most scientist are open to discuss your contribution to projects, but they have to be meaningful. So I would suggest to look at universities you are interested in. You could start by looking at the different APECS branches to know the countries, and then go to polar networks, like SCAR, and check the members. And also Universities in polar regions. This way you can find groups and see what they work on. And then you think about how you could be of use for them and help them to achieve their goals. Or propose a project with their expertise and yours and why it should be combined. And with that you approach them and see what the situation is. In general, talk to people, scientists are usually friendly. Professors might only delete your mails as spam if you come across too industrial or "begging".

Not really a very motivating answer, I know. But for a lay person to become member of a project is difficult. Locally, you could check for citizen science projects, but i am right now not aware of a polar one, sorry.