Interview: "We’re planning an Antarctic cruise, a Northeast Greenland cruise, and a proposal for drilling through the Antarctic ice shelf"

In this interview, iC3 manager Terri Souster discusses managing a polar research centre, the challenges and rewards of research and management, and her passion for outreach and exploring nature.

Can you briefly describe yourself and your role at iC3?

My name is Terri Souster, I’ve been the project manager of the iC3 Polar Research Hub at UiT Arctic University of Norway since the centre started.

Before that, I spent 15 years in polar marine ecology research, including a PhD and three postdocs. I enjoyed the leadership, coordination, and organizational aspects of research, which led me to consider a project manager role. When the iC3 position was advertised, it felt like the right fit.

Credit: Terri Souster

What does managing a research centre involve?

Managing iC3 is vital to ensure the centre functions effectively as a hub for polar  research.

It provides the structure needed to coordinate efforts across multiple institutions, align research goals, and address global scientific challenges. Strong management fosters collaboration, secures resources, and ensures the centre’s work has a meaningful impact on both the scientific community and society.

What are the challenges of managing a centre like iC3?

We’re a large team of 57 members spread across three partners, some of whom aren’t based in Tromsø. This means making sure everyone is connected and feels part of the centre is essential.

We achieve this through good internal communications and regular boards, seminars and workshops. It’s crucial to ensure everyone feels connected and aligned with the centre’s goals, despite the geographical and institutional spread. Social events play an important role in fostering relationships and help to build a sense of community.

While challenges inevitably arise, the feedback I’ve received suggests that most people enjoy being part of the centre.

What’s most important when managing a centre?

Patience is key, as achieving anything in academia takes time. Listening and understanding before making decisions is crucial. It’s also important to revisit our aims and goals regularly to ensure we’re on track or adjust as needed.

How would you define success in managing iC3?

Success isn’t just about meeting key performance indicators like publications or proposals. It’s also about ensuring everyone is happy, engaged, and conducting valuable research. Groundbreaking research and a motivated team are the real measures of success in my opinion.

How did you became interested in polar science?

From a young age, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, seven hours from the nearest ocean, I was fascinated by the ocean during vacations.

As I learned about climate change, biodiversity loss, and overfishing, I felt compelled to study the ocean to help address these challenges. I learned to dive at 17 and studied marine biology at Plymouth University in the UK, where I also earned a scientific diving qualification.

A job with the British Antarctic Survey as a marine biologist was my dream because the polar regions are changing the fastest. I spent five years living and working in Antarctica, initially without a PhD. Later, I realised I needed a PhD to stay in research, so I returned to Antarctica to carry out research leading to a PhD. 

A fun fact is I have done the most Antarctic diving of any female, with over 500 Antarctic dives.

Credit: Karen Filbee Dexter

How has your research career evolved over the years?

My research always focused on polar benthic ecology, including biodiversity, physiology, and carbon storage.

My first postdoc at the British Antarctic Survey continued this work, particularly on carbon storage and ecosystem protection. At Ulster University, I shifted to non-polar benthic ecology but still focused on biodiversity and carbon storage.

Eventually, I returned to polar research with a postdoc in Arctic ecology at UiT, the university where the iC3 Polar Research Hub is based.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as a researcher?

Short-term contracts and the uncertainty of what’s next were challenging. However, moving around helped me grow and build networks.

Securing funding was another challenge, as I wanted to do the research and not write the proposals for funding. The slow pace of academic processes, like paper reviews, was also stressful. Despite these challenges, the unique experiences, like diving in polar regions and being in a three-person submersible down to 300m, made it all worthwhile.

What excites you most about your current role?

No two days are the same, which keeps me engaged. I enjoy the variety and the opportunity to contribute to the centre’s success.

If you had an unlimited research budget, how would you allocate it?

I’d focus on analyzing existing samples and data rather than funding more cruises, as we’ve already collected an abundance of material that remains underutilised.

Investing in people and technology to process and interpret this data could unlock significant insights and maximize the value of past efforts.

If you could change one thing in science, what would it be?

The peer review process. It’s inconsistent, slow, and often feels like a lottery, with outcomes depending on the reviewers’ approach rather than the quality of the research.

I’d also advocate for recognizing broader contributions like outreach, collaboration, and coordination as measures of success.

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to next year?

We’re planning an Antarctic cruise, a Northeast Greenland cruise, and a proposal for drilling through the Antarctic ice shelf, which are all major milestones for the centre.

These projects represent exciting opportunities to advance polar research and strengthen collaboration across our teams.

What does an ideal day off look like for you?

A perfect day off for me would be escaping to a cabin, where I can truly relax without the distractions of daily life.

I’d spend the day reading a good book, going for a peaceful walk in the mountains, and enjoying the serenity of nature. The best part is spending time with my dog, who loves exploring the outdoors as much as I do. Oh, and with my husband.

Do you have a personal motto you'd like to share?

Live each day like it’s the last.

Terri Souster is the iC3 project manager based at UiT the Arctic University of Norway, in the capital of the Arctic, Tromsø. To find out more about her work, please check out her list of publications, check out her website, or contact her by email or via LinkedIn.