Dr Arlie McCarthy

About Arlie

Arlie’s is a Polar Alien Hunter! Her doctoral research addresses the potential risks posed by alien (non-native) marine species establishing in Antarctica. Warming oceans and reductions in sea ice caused by climate change, combined with increasing human activity within the Southern Ocean, will increase the chances of non-native species establishing in the Antarctic region. Arlie’s research investigates factors that affect both the transport of non-indigenous species to Antarctic coastlines and the capacity of such species to establish populations, both now and in the future.

She is a co-founder of Polar Alien Hunters, a biosecurity and engagement project helping visitors to Antarctica understand the risks posed by alien species and what they can do to prevent sneaky beasties hitching a ride to the South Pole. In her home town of Melbourne, Australia, Arlie completed a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and a Diploma in Languages (German) at the University of Melbourne and by final year was taking as many marine biology courses as possible. She then moved to Hobart to complete a Masters in Marine and Antarctic Science at the University of Tasmania. Arlie’s work has resulted in several academic papers and advice to governments in Australia and the UK. Arlie’s research has taken her around the world, including Costa Rica, Mexico, several remote islands around Australia, and the Arctic. As part of her masters, she completed two courses at the University Centre in Svalbard, where she discovered that benthic ecology, marine invertebrates and polar regions are especially interesting.