Investigators from the National Science Foundation's watchdog office are set to travel to Antarctica in response to longstanding allegations of sexual assault at U.S. research bases, according to NPR. The trip, scheduled from November 1st to November 17th, aims to address the pervasive problem of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Antarctic Program.

The primary focus of the investigation will be McMurdo Station, the largest research hub in Antarctica where hundreds of scientists conduct fieldwork. Special agents from the NSF's inspector general's office will arrive on Monday to prepare for an on-site presence and meet with staff to explain their role, as stated by Lisa Vonder Haar, Chief of Staff for the NSF's inspector general.

The decision to dispatch investigators comes more than a year after the release of a damning report by the NSF. The report, which documented a culture of harassment and assault within the U.S. Antarctic Program, revealed that 59% of women surveyed had experienced negative encounters with sexual harassment or assault, while 95% of respondents knew someone who had experienced such misconduct within the program.

According to the report, sexual assault and harassment were described by some as "a fact of life" in Antarctica. Both men and women reported instances of sexual harassment, with fears of reporting due to the belief that reporting could result in being sent home and blacklisted from the program.

The need for action became more apparent in 2018 when allegations were made against Boston University geologist David Marchant, accusing him of sexually harassing three women while they were graduate students on research expeditions to Antarctica. Following an investigation, Marchant was terminated from his position.

Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the NSF has taken steps to address sexual assault and harassment within the U.S. Antarctic Program. Renée V. Ferranti has been appointed as a new special assistant to the NSF director, responsible for the implementation of prevention and response measures. Ferranti, previously the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program at the Peace Corps, will begin her appointment on Sunday.

The upcoming visit by investigators is part of a broader effort by the NSF to have a stronger presence in Antarctica and actively address complaints. The NSF, which sends over 3,000 people to Antarctica annually for research purposes, aims to provide a safe environment for all program participants.

With the recruitment of a seasoned expert and the commitment to address the evolving landscape of sexual assault prevention and response, the NSF remains committed to prioritizing the elimination of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Antarctic Program.

As the investigators travel to Antarctica, their actions will contribute to ongoing efforts to create a culture of safety, respect, and accountability in one of the most remote corners of the world.