Dr Elizabeth Znidersic can usually be found in nature – and she’s about to get a taste of the most extreme climate the world has to offer.

The environmental researcher and ecologist is off to Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound leadership program, where she’ll work with dozens of other scientists to solve some of the biggest threats the earth is currently facing.

Dr Znidersic’s specialty is eco-acoustics, using sounds and silences to determine the health of various species and ecosystems – and she’ll take that knowledge to the Antarctic with her, to collaborate and explore issues with scientists from all over the world.

The ABC’s Sandra Moon spoke with Dr Znidersic before she set off.