Writing the future with Postcards from Antarctica

Writing the future with Postcards from Antarctica

Author: JOY 94.9 - Rainbow Community Podcasts for our LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Communities August 17, 2026 Duration: 46:08

What happens when 124 women and non-binary STEMM leaders, 132 postcards and one very ice-solated continent come together? You get Postcards from Antarctica, a collaborative artwork created aboard the final Homeward Bound Antarctic voyage in 2025.

Each postcard captures something meaningful about Antarctica, from its wildlife and landscapes to the profound experience of being there. Turn them over, and you’ll find handwritten messages to policymakers, communities, future generations, or a future self.

Together, the postcards create more than a map of Antarctica — they map memories, hopes, responsibility, and a shared vision for our planetary future.

Postcards from Antarctica will make its world debut at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. You can explore the artwork online…plus we hope to see it displayed around the world!

Dr Cat chats with some the people behind the artwork: Annabel Dominguez, Cat Nielsen, Helen McGuire, Jess Leck, and Natasha Pauli. They discuss life-changing polar perspectives and creative collaboration. Expect plenty of cool stories and absolutely no snow jokes… okay, maybe one or two.

Originally aired 11th August, 2026.

Hero image: Project co-leads Jessica Leck and Natasha Pauli with the final map. (Credit: Postcards from Antarctica.)

Gallery view of six people on Zoom - the six speakers on this podcast episode (clockwise): Annabel, Dr Cat, Helen, Jess, Tash, and Cat.

Dr Cat reminisces with and discusses the art project with her Antarctic travel buddies: Annabel Dominguez, Helen McGuire, Cat Nielsen, Natasha Pauli, and Jess Leck.

132 colourful postcards are laid out as a grid on the carpet and they are posing behind. There is one missing, and it is in someone's hand and a hand-written message is visible on the back.

The grid of postcards looks spectacular together. Turn each postcard over, and there is a hand-written message by the individual artist, inspired by their experiences of Antarctica.

The post Writing the future with Postcards from Antarctica appeared first on Science Queeries.


Curiosity meets community in Science Queeries, a space where the wonders of the natural world and the vibrant spectrum of human identity intersect. Hosted by Cat, this podcast from JOY 94.9’s Rainbow Community collection approaches learning with a warm, questioning spirit. It’s less a formal lecture and more a series of engaging conversations that unpack scientific concepts through an inclusive, queer lens. You’ll hear explorations that connect the dots between biology, sociology, technology, and lived experience, making complex ideas both accessible and personally relevant. Each episode invites you to consider how science shapes and is shaped by the diverse LGBTIQA+ communities it seeks to understand. The tone is thoughtful and welcoming, designed for anyone who’s ever felt on the outside looking in at traditional science communication. Whether discussing the latest research or the fundamentals of how things work, this podcast consistently centers a perspective that is often overlooked. It’s a place for learning, questioning, and finding connection in the shared pursuit of knowledge. Tune in for a refreshing take that proves science is for everyone, and that some of the most insightful discoveries begin with a simple, open-minded query.
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