Girls* on Ice Austria: strategies for inclusive approaches to field experiences

Inspiring Girls Expeditions (IGE)* is a transformative wilderness science education program designed to empower young women through immersive, hands-on experiences in the natural world. With a focus on fields traditionally underrepresented by women, such as glaciology and mountaineering, IGE fosters leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork while promoting scientific inquiry and artistic expression.

Girls on Ice Austria*, one of the most recent additions to the IGE network, offers a ten-day expedition in the Ötztal Alps, where participants, aged 15-17, engage in scientific research, mountaineering, and artistic projects. These all-female expeditions aim to break down barriers for underrepresented genders in science and outdoor activities by providing a supportive and inclusive environment. Female scientists, artists, and mountain guides lead the expeditions, offering mentorship and expertise while encouraging participants to push their physical and intellectual boundaries.

During the expedition, participants learn basic mountaineering skills (e.g., knot tying and crevasse rescue), conduct scientific experiments, and engage in creative activities such as painting and sketching the alpine landscape. These activities are designed not only to introduce participants to the scientific method but also to help them develop a deeper connection to nature and strengthen their personal resilience. Importantly, the program is tuition-free, removing financial barriers to participation and opening doors for those who might not otherwise have access. Such opportunities can serve as preparatory experiences for subsequent scientific fieldwork.

Here, we present the methods used to foster inclusion and teach participants with a low or mixed experience level how to operate in the field environment. Specific approaches include: (1) clear explanation of expectations for each activity (duration, planning, breaks, etc.); (2) dedicated timeslots for mentor and peer-to-peer guidance on everything from packing a bag to using the toilet; (3) ad hoc mentor and peer-to-peer advice on walking efficiently, coping with fuel and hydration issues, and managing body temperature and the elements (e.g., how not to get wet, and why); (4) formal safety training for critical activities such as glacier travel and crevasse rescue, emphasizing the need to establish a common group approach and communication strategy; (5) encouragement to voice individual needs and discuss how they can be met alongside team needs and goals; and (6) regular check-ins and feedback opportunities.

We discuss how such programs and the tactics deployed within them can be leveraged to increase diversity in scientific leadership, provide hands-on learning experiences, and inspire and equip the next generation of young women to pursue careers in geoscience and beyond.