D9.1
Tracks
Stream D
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM |
Overview
"Thriving in Isolated,Confined & Extreme (ICE) Environment: The Australian Antarctic Program Experience" | 60 mins | Panel
Presenter
Ms Elizabeth Norris
Australian Antarctic Division
"Thriving in Isolated,Confined & Extreme (ICE) Environment: The Australian Antarctic Program Experience"
11:45 AM - 12:45 PMAbstract
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on earth – beautiful but inhospitable at the same time. While there are no permanent inhabitants on the continent, the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) supports a small workforce (commonly referred to as expeditioners) to live and work on an Antarctic research station on a rotational basis.
Operating in an isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environment, such as Antarctica, presents a unique constellation of psychological, interpersonal, occupational and organisational challenges. The unique nature of this environment exposes individuals to challenging physical and psychological demands, often for extended periods of time.
The AAP workforce ‘navigate complexity’ as they adapt to prolonged separation, variable team compositions, extreme polar conditions, and psycho-social demands inherent to remote living. As an embedded capability within the Australian Antarctic Division, organisational psychology plays a pivotal role in enabling this.
This Panel will share experience and insights about how organisational psychology supports delivery of the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP), drawing on practitioner, academic and leadership perspectives.
This panel discussion will inform and resonate with practitioners, researchers, and leaders engaging with workforces in remote, high-risk and ICE environments.
Operating in an isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environment, such as Antarctica, presents a unique constellation of psychological, interpersonal, occupational and organisational challenges. The unique nature of this environment exposes individuals to challenging physical and psychological demands, often for extended periods of time.
The AAP workforce ‘navigate complexity’ as they adapt to prolonged separation, variable team compositions, extreme polar conditions, and psycho-social demands inherent to remote living. As an embedded capability within the Australian Antarctic Division, organisational psychology plays a pivotal role in enabling this.
This Panel will share experience and insights about how organisational psychology supports delivery of the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP), drawing on practitioner, academic and leadership perspectives.
This panel discussion will inform and resonate with practitioners, researchers, and leaders engaging with workforces in remote, high-risk and ICE environments.
.....
Elizabeth Norris is an endorsed Organisational Psychologist, Fellow of APS COP and PBA Board Supervisor of IOP Registrars. She has delivered consulting solutions across Maritime, Mining, Resources, Military, Construction, Emergency Services, WHS and University sectors. She has designed and delivered highly successful and predictive Assessment Centres. Elizabeth dedicated herself to building the Leadership capacity of multiple organisations and assisted them to create constructive workplace cultures. She has crafted and facilitated Masterclasses in responding systemically to workplace bullying complaints, fortified by work design and psycho-social risk management principles. She has a long-standing interest in coaching and developing personnel who work in remote, regional or rural settings.
In 2025, she joined the Australian Antarctic Division selecting, supporting and guiding Australian Antarctic Program participants or expeditioners, living and working in isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environments. She is excited about finding opportunities to assist expeditioners to navigate and thrive in complexity.
Ms Maree Riley
Australian Antarctic Division
"Thriving in Isolated,Confined & Extreme (ICE) Environment: The Australian Antarctic Program Experience"
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM.....
Maree Riley is the Director, Organisational Psychology with the Australian Antarctic Division (ADD) located in Hobart. In her current role, she is responsible for the delivery of a range of psychological services designed to promote individual, team and organisational wellbeing and effectiveness across the Australian Antarctic Program. Prior to assuming her current role, Maree served for 20 years as a uniformed Army Psychologist providing a range of psychological services to ADF personnel both domestically, as well as in operational environments.
Ms Dani Yannopoulos
Branch Head, People and Culture (AAD)
National Environmental Protection Agency
"Thriving in Isolated,Confined & Extreme (ICE) Environment: The Australian Antarctic Program Experience"
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM.....
Dani Yannopoulos is a senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience leading complex regulatory, operational, and cultural reform functions across the Australian Public Service.
She has is Division Head of Environmental Permitting and Compliance since July 2025, leading 220 staff delivering national environmental regulation, including permits, compliance, and enforcement.
Dani has led large-scale, high-risk operations and transformation, including commanding more than 900 officers as Regional Commander NSW in the Australian Border Force during COVID 19, leading cultural reform in the Australian Antarctic Division and leading remote Antarctic research stations in extreme conditions
She is known for her clear judgement, steady leadership in high-pressure environments, and ability to deliver credible outcomes while building strong relationships across government, industry, and the community.
Prof Kimberley Norris
Academic/Clinical Psychologist
Australian Antarctic Division
"Thriving in Isolated,Confined & Extreme (ICE) Environment: The Australian Antarctic Program Experience"
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM.....
Professor Kimberley Norris is a psychological scientist and clinical psychologist who works across academic, research and clinical practice settings. Her overarching research and academic interests are focused on maximising human health, wellbeing and performance in both normal and extreme environments. Her research interests include adaptation and resilience in both extreme (e.g. Antarctica, space, prison and FIFO) and more normative (e.g. academic, life events) environments. Through her work, Kimberley develops new and innovative ways to provide psychological support for individuals in remote, rural, maritime and extreme environments at an individual, organisational and relationship level.
