Advances in Psychology in Extreme Environments

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Sign up now open: Course material will be available online from the beginning of September

Humans continue to push the exploration envelope, venturing to new frontiers in unexplored cave systems, surveying hadal depths in uncharted parts of the ocean and extending high altitude endurance records in the most remote and far-flung regions on Earth. In the coming decades it is possible that this envelope will be pushed further still, as we launch a crewed mission to Mars, and, in the process, take a monumental step to becoming a truly space-faring and interplanetary species. During such pioneering endeavours, psychology plays a critical role: how a person thinks, feels and behaves can influence the success of a mission or expedition and the survival and safety of those involved.

Over many years, scientists have profiled and described the traits and characteristics of the human extremophiles, adventurers and explorers who choose to venture to extreme, risky and uncertain realms. Efforts have been made to pinpoint the right psychological stuff for extreme environments, typical physical and emotional reactions to severe stress, group dynamics in small self-reliant teams and what it is like to transition from isolated and austere settings back to life at home (we discuss many of these factors in our Introduction to Psychology in Extreme Environments course).

Despite the work already done, as we enter a new phase of human exploration a lot remains to be learnt. International researchers continue to dedicate much of their time to studying the psychology of people in extreme, unusual and high-risk settings. New knowledge is being generated on what to look for in selection, how to track and support expeditioners' mental health and methods and countermeasures that can be used to maintain performance and coping under extreme stress. In this new course, I document these scientific developments and share the key discoveries and applications emanating from this exciting psychological research.

If you are participating in or organising expeditions, or simply intrigued by the prospect of adventure and exploration and want to know more about how people cope in extreme settings, this course is for you. Content is firmly based around the idea of advances: by participating, you will be on the scientific frontier of psychology in extreme environments. Together, we will delve further into the topic area than ever before, leaving you with a detailed insight and understanding of the psychology of life and survival in extremes.

Though drawing on the most recent scientific research, course content remains firmly within practical territory. There is no pre-requisite to taking part (the Introductory course will provide a foundation but is not necessary) just an inquiring and adventurous mind and a passion to explore. I hope this has perked your interest and look forward to treading scientific terra incognita with you and, together, exploring the next chapter of psychology in extremis.