Rate My Professor Steve Broni

Broni’s career began with participation in the British 'In the Footsteps of Scott' Antarctic Expedition from 1984 to 1986 aboard the MV Southern Quest. As crew, he contributed to building a base hut at Cape Evans on Ross Island, wintered over, and survived the vessel’s sinking after it was punctured by ice in the Ross Sea; all 25 crew escaped and were rescued. He volunteered for an additional year with two colleagues to maintain the site and remove equipment, enduring extreme conditions including a leopard seal attack on a companion. After Antarctica, he engaged in conservation work with the Australian Conservation Foundation, delivered school talks on Antarctic history and science via Otago Museum, and supported Falkland Islands Conservation. Under his leadership, OUASSA annually supports 50-60 high-achieving students from rural, provincial, small, and lower-decile schools, with over 90 percent advancing to tertiary education and about half enrolling at Otago. Broni emphasizes science communication and public engagement. He co-authored the article 'Thirty years of science outreach at the University of Otago' published in the New Zealand Science Review. A sought-after public speaker, Broni fosters passion for science among diverse audiences.