Daniela Liggett (nee Haase)
Daniela completed a BSc in Management (2003), an MSc in Environment and Development (2004), and a PhD in Antarctic studies (2008)
- Lecturer (part-time) at the Department of Geography, University of Canterbury and the Environment, Society and Design Division, Lincoln University -
Hailing from Germany, I came to New Zealand with the hope to pursue 
doctoral studies in the field of Antarctic tourism regulation. Gateway Antarctica provided me with the opportunity to commence a PhD in aforementioned field, which I embraced enthusiastically. Little did I know that it would be a life-changing experience...
I welcomed the department's attitude to integrate doctoral students into all departmental activities and make them feel part of the team. Throughout my studies, I received excellent supervision and all the guidance needed. Yet, at the same time, I was given enough freedom to develop my own ideas and shape my research in the way that I saw fit.
Gateway Antarctica supported me, and my sometimes ambitious (or should I say"crazy") ideas, in more ways than I can express in this brief statement. I received full support to organise an Antarctic tourism stakeholder workshop, to participate in an overseas exchange to work with researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, to join the GCAS 2006/7 course as a tutor in Antarctica, to give a few regular and evening lectures, just to name a few examples.
Overall, through my PhD, I not only developed my research and writing skills, but also gained a new perspective on departmental management.
I am grateful to everyone at Gateway Antarctica for being extraordinarily hospitable and acting as my "surrogate family". Now, after the conclusion of my PhD, I am still hooked on the topic of Antarctic tourism regulation and am currently exploring options for postdoctoral research.
To anyone considering postgraduate study and/or research with a focus on Antarctic issues I can only recommend to contact Gateway Antarctica.