Young Derby woman set for Antarctic adventure after landing dream job

Aoife McKenna wearing outdoors clothes in Antarctica
-Credit: (Image: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT))


Derby native Aoife McKenna is preparing for an extraordinary journey to Antarctica, where she will spend five months working at the historic Base A Port Lockroy on Goudier Island after landing a dream job.

Aoife, a museum curator, will be one of the key members stationed at the historic base for five months from November 22, tasked with helping preserve Antarctic heritage and monitoring the local wildlife – including a colony of more than 1,000 gentoo penguins.

The 24-year-old who grew up in Derby has a background in museum curation, and has previously worked in the Sub-Antarctic as a curatorial intern at the South Georgia Museum during 2022/23. It was during her time there that she fell in love with the vast and dramatic landscapes of the southern polar regions, the remarkable wildlife and the rich heritage tied to Antarctic exploration.

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"I started volunteering with Derby museums when I was a teenager and really enjoyed it", she said, "I really liked sharing history and heritage with people. So I studied history at the University of Warwick and went into museum studies, which led me to a job at the South Georgia Museum which was an amazing experience. When I saw this latest recruitment drive I had to go for it - I think I just do better with cold weather!”

Now, as she prepares to head even further south, Aoife is excited to bring her expertise to Port Lockroy, a place known as the birthplace of British Antarctic science and home to the world’s southernmost post office and museum.

"I think I'm most excited for the first moment that I get to step into the museum and actually see it in the flesh", she said, "we've seen so many pictures up until now that I think it's going to be quite surreal to be in that space and lead visitors through."

Speaking ahead of her departure, Aoife expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the Antarctic region: "I am most looking forward to seeing the penguins and their whole life cycle. I’m also excited to see the museum and share its stories."

A lifelong fan of penguins, she will also be working closely with the team’s wildlife monitor, carefully tracking the penguins’ nesting habits, counting eggs and chicks and contributing to vital research to protect the species.

"I do really like penguins", Aoife said, "they're so funny. They have such big characters so I'm really, really excited to live with them again."

The team will live without many modern comforts, including running water or a flushing toilet, as they endure sub-zero temperatures and near-constant daylight throughout the Austral summer. Later in the season, they will be joined by conservation carpenters who will work to restore Port Lockroy’s historic buildings.

At the museum in Bransfield House, Aoife can expect to receive around 18,000 visitors a year, but with such an important colony of penguins on the island, it is crucial that they manage the footfall properly.

"It is usually around 18,000 visitors per year but that does fluctuate. However, on the island at any one time there can only be 40 people; 30 inside the museum, shop and post office and just 10 outside on the island.

"It is very closely monitored by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) because the island is so small and we don't want to be getting too close to the penguins - it's their island really, so we have to be responsible with our numbers."

Following her work at Port Lockroy, Aoife and her team will assist in the restoration of Blaiklock Island Refuge, one of the UKAHT’s most remote and challenging conservation sites.

Commenting on the appointment of the new team, UKAHT chief executive Camilla Nichol said: "We have selected the team not just for their love for Antarctica and a desire to preserve and protect its human history, but also for their resilience too.

“We feel confident we’ve found people with the specialist skills we need to attempt our first conservation season at Blaiklock Island Refuge this year.

“This site is the last known example of a 1950s refuge used by Antarctic scientists, so while the sea ice and ocean currents can make reaching this remote island very challenging, it feels critical that we restore it now so we don’t lose this little time capsule forever.

“Our fundraising efforts are still in full swing for this season, so the public can help us make this happen by donating what they can - it’s hugely appreciated.”

UKAHT’s role is to conserve British Antarctic heritage on the Antarctic Peninsula, protecting the human history of the continent for future generations. Port Lockroy and Blaiklock Island Refuge form one of the six heritage sites managed by the charity, along with its role leading the conservation management plan for the famous shipwreck Endurance.

The new team have just completed their training, which included remote first aid training, talks from a "Penguinologist" and a deep dive into the strict protocols and standards they will be responsible for upholding, in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty, to ensure the environment is properly cared for.

Anyone wishing to help protect and share the wonder of Antarctica and its heritage can support the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust by visiting the website at www.ukaht.org/support-us/.