Public engagement in polar science : perspectives from tourists and scientists on the SEES-2022 expedition to Svalbard

Summary

Public engagement with polar regions is crucial for raising awareness and garnering support for these vulnerable environments. Cruise tourism offers unique opportunities for engagement through immersive experiences of polar landscapes and wildlife, lectures, and citizen science activities, deepening understanding of polar ecosystems and human impacts. This paper presents the case of the SEES-2022 Netherlands Scientific Expedition Edgeøya Svalbard, a distinctive public engagement activity. Fifty-two scientists joined an Arctic Academy tourism cruise alongside 35 tourists, seven policy representatives, one artist, and seven journalists. The Arctic Academy emphasised active tourist involvement in scientific projects to enhance outreach and support for the Arctic’s climate challenges. Extensive media coverage throughout SEES-2022 shared these experiences with the wider public. The study explores how integrating tourism and science may strengthen public engagement and awareness by examining perspectives from both tourists and scientists. Findings show that, while tourism-science combinations involve trade-offs, they enhance science outreach. Immersive tourism-science experiences can promote deeper understanding of human impacts on polar regions among tourists and encourage dialogue on sustainable tourism. Although SEES-2022 is a unique case, its findings can inspire broader discussions on developing effective public engagement in polar regions. Drawing on insights from the case study, six recommendations are proposed for future tourism-science blends that foster meaningful public engagement, raise awareness, and enhance knowledge of polar ecosystems.