UC alumna to set out on Antarctic expedition

Immaculate and unspoiled, Antarctica is the world’s last great frontier. In December, University of Cincinnati civil engineering alumna Kristen Howard will join 80 women from various backgrounds and nationalities on a 21-day Antarctica expedition. They hope to learn of the effects of global warming on Antarctica while gaining leadership experience and building a support network.

The expedition is coordinated through Homeward Bound, a global initiative for women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – that aims to increase the influence of women in environmental policy decisions.

The project launched two years ago with the first voyage in December of 2016. The second voyage recently returned from Antarctica in February 2018, and the third voyage departs on December 31, 2018.

Howard, a resident of Melbourne, Australia, will be on Homeward Bound’s third voyage. The women on the voyage hold diverse professional positions – ranging from lawyers to scientists to deans – and represent 28 different nationalities.

In January, they all started a 12-month leadership program to prepare for the expedition.

“I’m excited to work with these 79 other women and see what we can accomplish together,” said Howard. “It’s such a great mix of people: Women from different professions at various stages in their career all collaborating together – I can’t wait.”

Civil engineering is especially susceptible to the impacts of energy creation and climate change. At AECOM, Howard works within the transportation and the energy sectors, working on metro lines, as well as the energy distribution and civil aspects of these projects.

"In civil engineering, whether you're constructing a new road or building, you have an impact on the world and environment," Howard said. "You have to ask yourself how you can make these projects more sustainable through innovation. For instance, how can I ensure that that storm water runoff won't pollute the surrounding environment?"

The site is intentional in its scientific implications. "When you look at Antarctica, you see the beauty of the continent," Howard said. "But many times, you also see climate change first in Antarctica."

Howard also sees this program as an opportunity to set the course for future women engineers. She encourages future women engineers to take risks, try new things and not let any self-doubt take over.

"Women sometimes ask themselves, 'Am I good enough for this? Am I able to do this?'" said Howard. "This program is about reaching above what you're capable of doing. Belief in oneself translates into confidence, leadership ability and a public profile, all of which can really make a difference."

With the collaboration and visibility from a program like Homeward Bound, Howard is in a position to set responsible policy for a sustainable future.