Kathleen Conlan studies benthic community patterns and responses to change.  Recent studies concern submarine canyons, upwelling effects, ice disturbance, methane venting and pollution recovery, mostly in the Arctic and Antarctic.  Conlan is involved in various roles with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.  As a scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Conlan actively popularizes science to increase an appreciation of and a desire to conserve the natural world.