Get Isobel & Debatri to Antarctica: Homeward Bound

Overview:

We're two astrophysics researchers raising money to fund our participation in a women's leadership & climate change action program. Its motto: "Mother Nature needs her daughters". Your donation pays for our training + our places on the 21-day Antarctic voyage that makes up the final challenge of our training. To raise awareness of our fundraiser, Isobel ran, walked, and biked the widest width of Antarctica (5339km) on foot and bike in 365 days . Donors of $50+ get sent a postcard from the Penguin Post Office in Antarctica, and donors of $100+ get sent a plush penguin; other thank-you gifts are also on offer. 

Who are we?

Hi! We are Debatri and Isobel. We met when we were both astrophysics PhD students studying in Melbourne, Australia. We are alumni of OzGrav: the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery.

We've since both relocated to the UK: Debatri is now a postdoc at Cardiff University, and Isobel is a research fellow at the University of Cambridge.

Why are we raising money?

We were selected to join 98 women from all over the world on a gruelling leadership training program -- culminating in a three-week voyage to Antarctica at the end of 2023!

The Homeward Bound program is designed to connect women in STEMM fields who share passions for leadership that helps to shape a more sustainable future.

Homeward Bound aims to train women in the traditionally male-dominated fields of science and technology to be the leaders of tomorrow, ready to address the biggest problem facing our planet and our species: climate change.

Why is it important to increase diversity in STEMM leadership roles?

Did you know that only 10% of the senior leaders in the sciences are women? That female scientists are squeezed out of science careers by structural barriers? That over 400 studies on gender differences in the brain have not revealed any evidence that women are less suited than men for STEMM?

By encouraging women and non-binary people to lead in STEMM fields, we are increasing the depth and breadth of our talent pool.

How much money do we need to raise?

We need to raise about $33000 AUD each in total. Breaking this cost down:

Stage One: Online Program 

This 11-month virtual program will include monthly Zoom calls, masterclasses, diagnostics, one-to-one coaching and regional face-to-face meet-ups.

Stage One Cost: AUD $7,155

Stage Two: Face-to-Face Intensive

A three-week intensive program in Ushuaia, Argentina and Antarctica in November or December 2022.

Stage Two Cost: AUD $16,650

Further costs

AUD $6,800 - $10,000 of expenses related to the Antarctic voyage (flights, equipment, clothing etc.). 

We are aiming to raise this money through a combination of sponsorship from large organisations, part-time jobs alongside our PhDs, book sales, and crowdfunding.

We are aiming to raise $6,000 each through crowdfunding!

What's in it for you?

Any sponsorship amount is appreciated, but for those contributing larger amounts, we are offering some thank-you gifts in return! 

* Postcard from Antarctica - $50+ AUD

* Tiny plush penguin model - $100+ AUD

* Tiny plush penguin model & postcard from Antarctica - $130+ AUD

* Tiny plush penguin model & photograph of that plush penguin in Antarctica - $150+ AUD

* Tiny plush penguin in a jute bag & photograph of that plush penguin in Antarctica - $200+ AUD

* Tiny plush penguin in a jute bag & photograph of that plush penguin in Antarctica & a postcard from Antarctica - $250+ AUD

Thank you so much for your sponsorship!

We are incredibly grateful for your support!

Please share this GoFundMe page on your social media pages if you can!