Even when it comes to potential missions to Mars, the same rule applies: it’s possible to pose critical questions while remaining enthusiastic about the technological opportunities offered. We here see two researchers in the relative isolation of the southern Utah desert, practising for just such a mission. | Photo: Vera Hartmann

The moon landing, Humboldt’s voyage to America and even Shackleton’s abandoned plans to cross the Antarctic – all these journeys continue to inspire many of us to this day. So it’s hardly surprising that when my joint Editor-in-Chief proposed ‘scientific expeditions’ as the feature topic of an issue of Horizons, we were all immediately enthusiastic. When human beings venture into unknown regions to learn new things, they are embodying what research is all about. And at the same time, their stories invite us along on fantastic inner journeys.

But our editorial team quickly came back down to earth with a bump when we realised the overwhelming scope of the topic. What should we focus on, given so many great stories to choose from? And above all, how much space should we devote to the negative consequences of colonialism? I didn’t want to negate our dream-inspiring stories by engaging in self-flagellation, and initially thought I’d concentrate on that aspect in just one article. But others insisted that journalism always has to retain a critical distance, and that the negative aspects of all these expeditions must be taken into account in every case.

You can find our solution to all these problems in this issue of Horizons. My concerns vanished into thin air when I realised that it’s perfectly possible to remain self-critical and passionate at one and the same time. The ethnologist Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel confirms it in our interview with her here. She’s researching into the impact of land policy in collaboration with indigenous groups in Peru: “You always remain a stranger. But such encounters can be a positive experience for both sides”, she says.

And even if we turn our attention to the dark side of our topic, there are rays of hope. In the 19th century, for example, the Schlagintweit brothers defied prevailing conventions in their reports of travelling in the Himalayas by attributing proper recognition to their local helpers. But they were ridiculed by the press for doing so, as our article here explains. The case of the butterfly researcher Maria Merian – about whose exploits you can read here – also comes across as exceedingly ambivalent today. In 1700, she set off into the jungles of Suriname, an emancipated and courageous woman. But she also kept slaves herself as a matter of course. It’s now up to you to make up your own mind about all these cases.

Explore them in our special feature articles in this issue, and afterwards let us know if you think we’ve managed to strike the right balance.