Felicity Aston

Explorer, Scientist and Author

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Felicity Aston 's Biography

Felicity Aston MBE is an author, speaker, student research scientist and polar explorer. She became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica in 2012 after 1744km which took 59 days to complete. and which gave her a place in the book of Guinness World Records. Felicity's Polar journey began in 2000, when she travelled to Antarctica as a Meteorologist with the British Antarctic Survey. By the age of Age 23, she had spent a continuous period of two and a half years monitoring climate and ozone at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. Felicity went on to organise and lead numerous expeditions globally, but particularly to the Polar Regions. Her expeditions have included the first British Women’s crossing of Greenland, a 6000km drive to the South Pole, a 36,000km drive to the Pole of Cold, and leading international teams of women on ski expeditions to both the North and South Poles. Felicity continues to explore, specialising in new and exciting ways to communicate the expedition experience to the wider world. Her Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition was the first to ‘Tweet to the Pole’ and material from her Pole of Cold expedition has been developed into a travelling art exhibition. She has written five Felicity Aston books, collaborated on several others. She is a regular contributor for various publications in the UK and abroad. In 2013 she spent a month flying across North America in an airship co-presenting a two part BBC Science documentary about the atmosphere called ‘Operation Cloud Lab: Secrets of the Skies’ and in 2016 retraced the route of the 1898 Klondike Goldrush across the Yukon, co-presenting a documentary mini-series for BBC History. She has since taken part in numerous independent films including a film about climate change by Groundtruth Productions for COP26 and Exposure, a Holly Morris film about Felicity’s 2018 Euro-Arabian North Pole expedition project. Felicity works closely with a number of expedition-related organisations, charities and projects as trustee, patron or ambassador. Including The British Antarctic Monument Trust, Equal Adventure, the First Women project and the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Chapter of The Explorers Club. She is proud Godmother to the PC6 ice-class expedition ship, Silver Endeavour. Felicity has been elected Fellow of both the Royal Geographical Society in London and The Explorers Club in New York and is an elected member of the Society of Women Geographers. Other Felicity Aston achievements are: She is a 2008 Churchill Fellow, has received the Ginny Fiennes Award from the Transglobe Expedition Trust, the 2014 Women of Discovery Award from WINGS WorldQuest, the 2019 Special Contribution Award from National Geographic Traveller UK, the Womenomics Science Award 2021 and an Honorary Doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University. In 2015 she was awarded The Queen’s Polar Medal and was appointed MBE for services to polar exploration. Felicity divides her time between her home in Iceland (Vigur Island) and her native UK.

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS

Felicity Aston: Alone in Antarctica

Felicity Aston - Speaker Showreel

SPEAKER TOPICS

Leadership Speakers

Inspiring Speakers

Virtual Keynotes

Sustainability Speakers

Diversity Speakers

Gender & Equality Speakers

Storytelling Speakers

STEM Speakers

Female Motivational Speakers

After Dinner Speakers

Women's Day Speakers

Conference Speakers

Climate Change Speakers

Workplace Culture Speakers

Felicity Aston Keynote Topics

Resilience / Self-Leadership / Mental Hygiene / Adaptation to Change

Felicity Aston MBE brings a rare perspective to the topic of resilience—one forged through whiteouts, isolation and sub-zero extremes. Drawing from her historic solo ski across Antarctica and countless polar expeditions, she explores how inner strength, mental hygiene and adaptive thinking enable not just survival, but purposeful progress in high-stress environments.

This session unpacks how to build sustainable self-leadership in the face of adversity. Felicity shares powerful strategies to navigate change, stay grounded, and foster clarity—even when conditions, both literal and metaphorical, are far from clear.

Teamwork / Creating High Performance Teams / Virtual Teams

From leading international all-women ski teams to managing scientific missions in remote polar outposts, Felicity Aston MBE knows what it takes to cultivate high-functioning teams in the harshest conditions. This keynote delves into the psychology and practicalities of trust, communication and shared purpose—especially when operating under pressure.

Felicity highlights how clarity, empathy and role fluidity can strengthen teams, whether on the ice or across virtual landscapes. Her insights into cross-cultural, remote and high-stakes collaboration resonate deeply with today’s hybrid work challenges.

Leadership

Felicity Aston MBE exemplifies leadership in its boldest form—visionary, inclusive, and action-driven. With experience commanding expeditions in some of Earth’s most unforgiving terrains, she speaks candidly about leading when the path is uncertain and the stakes are real.

This talk offers a powerful reflection on how leadership is shaped not by titles, but by the ability to make decisions, inspire confidence, and remain adaptable under pressure. Felicity’s stories invite leaders to rethink courage, responsibility and impact.

Diversity

As the architect of groundbreaking international expeditions—from all-female Arctic teams to cross-cultural North Pole missions—Felicity Aston MBE champions diversity as a true strength. She shares first-hand how bringing together individuals of different backgrounds creates richer perspectives, deeper resilience and more innovative solutions.

Through compelling examples, Felicity illustrates how inclusive environments foster collaboration, empowerment and long-term success. Her message is clear: diversity isn’t a box to tick—it’s the foundation of meaningful progress.

Motivation / Inspiration

Felicity Aston MBE inspires by example. The first woman to ski solo across Antarctica, she transforms the extreme into the relatable—showing audiences that personal limits are often mental, not physical. Her story is not just about distance, but determination.

This keynote is an invitation to reconnect with your own purpose, resilience and potential. Through honesty and humility, Felicity offers a rare blend of inspiration and insight that lingers long after the applause fades.

Climate / Environment

As a polar explorer and trained scientist, Felicity Aston MBE is uniquely placed to translate the realities of climate change into human stories. She has witnessed its impact first-hand and worked to communicate its urgency through media, art and research.

In this session, she explores how environmental change is reshaping our world—and why it calls for leadership, awareness and action at every level. Felicity connects the dots between personal responsibility and global challenge, making climate conversation accessible and impactful.

Felicity Aston 's Biography

Felicity's Polar journey began in 2000, when she travelled to Antarctica as a Meteorologist with the British Antarctic Survey. By the age of Age 23, she had spent a continuous period of two and a half years monitoring climate and ozone at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Felicity went on to organise and lead numerous expeditions globally, but particularly to the Polar Regions. Her expeditions have included the first British Women’s crossing of Greenland, a 6000km drive to the South Pole, a 36,000km drive to the Pole of Cold, and leading international teams of women on ski expeditions to both the North and South Poles.

Felicity continues to explore, specialising in new and exciting ways to communicate the expedition experience to the wider world. Her Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition was the first to ‘Tweet to the Pole’ and material from her Pole of Cold expedition has been developed into a travelling art exhibition. She has written five Felicity Aston books, collaborated on several others. She is a regular contributor for various publications in the UK and abroad.

In 2013 she spent a month flying across North America in an airship co-presenting a two part BBC Science documentary about the atmosphere called ‘Operation Cloud Lab: Secrets of the Skies’ and in 2016 retraced the route of the 1898 Klondike Goldrush across the Yukon, co-presenting a documentary mini-series for BBC History. She has since taken part in numerous independent films including a film about climate change by Groundtruth Productions for COP26 and Exposure, a Holly Morris film about Felicity’s 2018 Euro-Arabian North Pole expedition project.

Felicity works closely with a number of expedition-related organisations, charities and projects as trustee, patron or ambassador. Including The British Antarctic Monument Trust, Equal Adventure, the First Women project and the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Chapter of The Explorers Club. She is proud Godmother to the PC6 ice-class expedition ship, Silver Endeavour.

Felicity has been elected Fellow of both the Royal Geographical Society in London and The Explorers Club in New York and is an elected member of the Society of Women Geographers. Other Felicity Aston achievements are: She is a 2008 Churchill Fellow, has received the Ginny Fiennes Award from the Transglobe Expedition Trust, the 2014 Women of Discovery Award from WINGS WorldQuest, the 2019 Special Contribution Award from National Geographic Traveller UK, the Womenomics Science Award 2021 and an Honorary Doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University. In 2015 she was awarded The Queen’s Polar Medal and was appointed MBE for services to polar exploration.

Felicity divides her time between her home in Iceland (Vigur Island) and her native UK.

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Felicity Aston testimonials

HM King Charles III

“...truly, remarkable...”—

“Resilient, brave, daring, foolhardy, admirable and hugely likeable” Joanna Lumley

Frequently Asked Questions About
Felicity Aston

What are Felicity Aston's accomplishments in polar exploration?

Felicity Aston MBE has an impressive list of accomplishments in polar exploration. She notably became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica in 2012, covering a distance of 1744km in 59 days. This achievement earned her a place in the Guinness World Records. Additionally, her polar journey began in 2000 when she worked as a Meteorologist with the British Antarctic Survey, and she has since organized and led various expeditions to both the North and South Poles.

Can Felicity Aston tailor her talks for both corporate and educational audiences?

While specific information about Felicity Aston's ability to tailor talks for different audiences is not provided, it's common for experienced speakers to customize their presentations. Given her diverse background in exploration, meteorology, and leadership, it's plausible that she can adapt her talks to resonate with both corporate and educational audiences, tailoring content to address the specific interests and goals of each group.

How does Felicity Aston inspire resilience and determination in her presentations?

Felicity Aston inspires resilience and determination through her remarkable feats in polar exploration. Her solo ski expedition across Antarctica, enduring challenging conditions for nearly two months, serves as a testament to her resilience and determination. In her presentations, she likely shares personal stories and experiences to motivate audiences to overcome obstacles, face challenges head-on, and persist in the pursuit of their goals.

Does Felicity Aston offer any workshops or interactive sessions in addition to her speeches?

To determine if Felicity Aston offers such sessions, it would be best to check her official website, contact her representatives, or inquire directly about the specific services she provides beyond traditional speeches.