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Biography:
Susan R. Eaton, a Canadian geoscientist, journalist, and polar explorer, has defied the traditional stereotype of a polar explorer and has made significant contributions in the field. Born and raised in Canada, Eaton’s passion for the ocean was ignited by her mother, who was a marine biologist. Throughout her life, she has been dedicated to exploring and investigating the world’s oceans.
Eaton’s journey took a turn a decade ago when a scuba diving incident changed her perspective on exploration. After suffering from an arterial gas embolism, she retired from her prolific diving career. However, she saw this adversity as an opportunity for new beginnings. Eaton discovered that she had been born with a patent foramen ovale, a small perforation in the heart’s septum that had allowed the compressed gases breathed while scuba diving to shunt under pressure, leading to her embolism.
Following a period of introspection and recovery, Eaton embarked on a remarkable adventure from the Antarctic to the Arctic, exploring the world’s oceans in the snorkel zones. She dubbed this activity extreme snorkeling, as she faced the challenges of navigating through frigid, treacherous, remote polar waters inhabited by formidable marine mammals like belugas, narwhals, and leopard seals.
This transformative journey also gave Eaton the opportunity to reflect deeply on the nature of exploration. In 2014, she established Sedna Epic Expeditions, a female-led and operated venture dedicated to polar exploration. Frustrated by the male-dominated and traditional nature of scientific expeditions, Eaton sought to create a space where women could thrive and contribute to the field. Sedna Epic Expeditions also emphasizes the involvement of Inuit women team members and cultural advisors, recognizing the importance of engaging with indigenous communities and understanding the Arctic through their eyes.
Throughout her career, Eaton has been acutely aware of the lack of representation of women in geosciences and polar exploration. She acknowledges that there are limited opportunities for women to gain field experience in these fields. Eaton highlights the challenges faced by women, such as the strict dress codes implemented during expeditions, exemplified by the experiences of environmental journalist Chelsea Harvey and other women reporters in 2019.
Eaton’s contributions have not only expanded our understanding of the polar regions but also challenged existing paradigms in exploration. Her dedication to empowering women in traditionally male-dominated fields and her commitment to engaging with indigenous communities have reshaped the landscape of scientific expeditions. Eaton’s work has firmly established her as one of Canada’s greatest modern-day explorers and trailblazers.
Awards:
– Named one of Canada’s 100 greatest modern-day explorers and trailblazers by The Royal Canadian Geographic Society in 2015.