Found 891 items
28 March, 2025 Emily Newton
There’s more machinery than you think involved in running an Antarctic research station – and keeping the vehicles moving are a team of hardy and inventive engineers.Ben Norrish (Head of …
Read more on Behind the big blue door: the workshop helping to drive Antarctic science
17 March, 2025 Natalia Ford
This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Claudette Lopez, Natalia Ford and Lou Robinson share their experiences as neurodiverse people working in a supportive, positive environment. “Making our spaces inclusive, and introducing things …
Read more on Three stories, one purpose: supporting neurodiversity at British Antarctic Survey
7 March, 2025 Matthew Hughes
As Rothera Research Station continues its modernisation programme, Matt Hughes, Tower Operations Supervisor, shares his thoughts on the transition to our new Operations Tower, marking a significant milestone in Antarctic …
Read more on A new chapter for Rothera Research Station: inside the Operations Tower
28 February, 2025 Amy Ringrose
Whether it’s bubbles of ancient air, microscopic creatures, or the rumble of an impending ice quake – there’s more hidden in Antarctica’s vast polar desert than meets the eye. Ice …
Read more on The core of the matter: the scientists using Antarctic ice to understand our climate
19 December, 2024 Laura Gerrish
Continuous mapping of Antarctica reveals new topographic features In November, we released version 7.10 of the SCAR ADD which included updated coastlines for the Alexander Island region, and new lakes, …
Read more on Antarctic Digital Database – December 2024 update
11 December, 2024 Emily Newton
Water is one of the pillars of humanity’s survival – and yet there’s still much to explain about the processes that bring water to some of the world’s largest populations. …
Read more on Precipitation at the Third Pole: the race to understand Himalayan rainfall
9 December, 2024 Madeline De Marchis
Poo isn’t usually what first comes to mind when thinking of Antarctica, we tend to imagine the frozen landscape, vast expanses of white, ice sheets, and penguins. Yet, poo is …
Read more on 7 things you didn’t know about poo in Antarctica
6 September, 2024 Gemma Douglas
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is committed to a supportive culture where mental wellbeing is as important as physical safety. In this blog Health and Wellbeing Manager, Gemma Douglas, explains …
16 August, 2024 Livia Oldland
This summer British Antarctic Survey (BAS) hosted two paid internships through the 10,000 Black Interns scheme. We are committed to creating a workplace that is fair and inclusive and where …
Read more on My summer of science: internships at British Antarctic Survey
29 July, 2024 Kate Hendry
You might imagine glaciers as vast, cold, and lifeless rivers of ice, but they’re far more dynamic and alive than we once thought. Kate Hendry, polar oceanographer at British Antarctic …
22 July, 2024 Eliot Perez
For some people, working in Antarctica is a lifelong dream. For others, like Eliot Perez, Assistant Project Manager for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, that dream became a reality nine …
Read more on Eliot’s reflections on working at Rothera Research Station
19 April, 2024 Emma Pearce
Understanding what is going on inside an ice shelf is important for many reasons. But mostly, it allows us to better understand their contribution to sea level rise, and to …
Read more on BLOG: Looking into the world’s most studied ice shelf
2 April, 2024 Katie Handford
As the Antarctic winter season fast approaches, we’ll be following the journey of one of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme’s (AIMP) Assistant Project Managers, Katie Handford as she gears up to spend winter at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.
20 March, 2024 Claudette Lopez
Claudette Lopez writes for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-22 March), a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, on her experience of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and …
6 March, 2024 Sarah Manthorpe
In this blog, science data manager Sarah Manthorpe describes her recent fieldwork survey of seabirds in the Southern Ocean. As I’m sitting here counting albatrosses from my desk, it feels …
Read more on Surveying seabirds on South Georgia to support conservation
23 February, 2024 Livia Oldland
Our colleagues Millicent Harding and Louise Mercer from the UK Polar Network and as part of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) share their experience of a very …
Read more on Guest blog: celebrating Polar Pride in Parliament
30 December, 2023 Emily Newton
Every year at British Antarctic Survey is a huge team effort. What we do couldn’t happen without every one our talented staff – whether they are doing the legwork of …
Read more on 2023 in 10 stories from British Antarctic Survey
30 December, 2023 Emily Newton
How does a woman born in 1950s England go on to earn a PhD in geology, spend weeks at a time researching in Antarctica, become the director of the British …
15 November, 2023 Pilvi Saarikoski
Polar research often conjures images of scientists operating in remote, arduous conditions at the ends of the world reminiscent of the likes of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen during the ‘Heroic Age’ of polar exploration at the turn of the 20th century. However, 21st century polar research is so much more than this.
Read more on Guest blog: Why Pride matters for doing better polar research
4 October, 2023 Ralph Stevens
Traditionally when working in a remote environment, we fall back on wood and glue to repair and modify parts onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Quite often, the plastic components …
Read more on Benefits of 3D printing on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough
30 August, 2023 Emily Newton
Dr Robbie Mallett is a sea ice scientist, currently over-wintering at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica as part of an eight-month research campaign for the NERC DEFIANT project. Robbie explains the …
Read more on Feeling the heat in Antarctica: the urgency of sea ice research
11 August, 2023 Emily Rowlands
Where is all the ocean plastic? Eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year but only a small fraction of this (maybe even as low as 1%!) can …
Read more on A Southern Ocean plastic puzzle – where is all the ocean plastic?
6 July, 2023 Thomas Boagey
British Antarctic Survey aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and decarbonise our polar research stations by 2030. A key part of this project is to end the reliance on conventional …
30 June, 2023 Megan Monkman
Megan Monkman (she/her) is an Energy and Carbon Analyst at British Antarctic Survey working on decarbonisation and net zero projects. Here she writes about her experience in the gay community, …
23 June, 2023 Elen Jones
Elen Jones joined British Antarctic Survey as the Director of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in April 2022 after 20 years as an Electrical Engineer in the railway, aerospace and construction industries. For this year’s International Day for Women in Engineering, Elen reflects on her experiences and the importance of encouraging others to join the field of engineering.
20 May, 2023 Emily Neville
When I think of bees, I picture a big, fuzzy bumblebee, lolling gently between flowers, or perhaps a honeybee, collecting as much pollen as possible. Maybe even a solitary bee, …
19 May, 2023 Connie Pang
Connie Pang is a Senior Structural Engineer at Ramboll and travelled to Antarctica this year to work as the Site Supervisor for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. Here she looks …
18 May, 2023 Emily Neville
Today, 18 May, is the IMO International Day of Women in Maritime – a day to celebrate and raise the profile of women who work at sea. Here at British …
9 May, 2023 Emily Neville
This weekend, BAS staff in Antarctica and on board RRS Sir David Attenborough celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III. On the RRS Sir David Attenborough RRS Sir David Attenborough spent the …
3 May, 2023 Kate Hendry
The polar science trials cruise is over, everyone has travelled home (or are off on their next adventure), and now it’s time to reflect on a successful expedition. Thanks to …
Read more on Six things we learnt on the Polar Science Trials
25 April, 2023 Michael Dunn
No, it’s not a Penguin joke! This World Penguin Day (25 April 2023) we spoke to some of our resident experts, Mike Dunn and Peter Fretwell, to find out more …
5 April, 2023 Alysa Fisher
Alysa Hulbert, is an Information Officer at British Antarctic Survey. She spent several months last year working in Antarctica, which coincided with the Jewish festival of Passover or Pesach פֶּסַח. …
31 March, 2023 Dani Jones
Dr Dani Jones is an Oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey and a Senior Member at Darwin College, University of Cambridge. They have over 15 years of experience in the …
Read more on Supporting our Trans and Gender Diverse Colleagues
22 March, 2023 Emily Newton
Composer Ewan Campbell has written a piece of music for trumpet inspired by the 21-year journey of the A22a iceberg. The new composition was also illustrated onto a British Antarctic …
Read more on Last Post from the burning decks of a melting iceberg
21 March, 2023 Huw Griffiths
We are marine biologists that study seafloor creatures, Jamie is doing a PhD investigating Antarctic sea spiders in the University of Galway and Huw works at BAS. Both of us …
Read more on Breaking records and exploring life in the abyss
16 March, 2023 David Barnes
The RRS Sir David Attenborough has begun its polar science trials in Antarctica. A team of 30 national and international scientists, engineers and technical staff are working on the ship …
14 March, 2023 Christopher Robert Lloyd
Christopher Robert Lloyd, Associate Project Manager at Ramboll is currently working at Rothera Research Station on the construction of the Discovery Building for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). In …
1 March, 2023 Pippa Whitehouse
Zero Discrimination Day highlights the right of all people to live healthy, full and productive lives with dignity and ending all forms of discrimination that impact on quality of life, …
Read more on Zero Discrimination Day: the challenges of listening and checking internal bias
22 February, 2023 Emily Newton
Last week, the team aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough produced the first significant scientific data set with the ship’s oceanography equipment – a significant milestone in the life of …
Read more on Science Trials on the RRS Sir David Attenborough add to historic dataset
20 February, 2023 Emily Newton
Martin Bell, Halley Vehicles Engineering Manager, reflects on the work of the Vehicles team as the Halley Research Station closes for winter. This award-winning and innovative research station provides scientists …
Read more on Season’s end: preparing Halley VI for the winter
14 February, 2023 Huw Griffiths
The RRS Sir David Attenborough has begun its polar science trials in Antarctica. A team of 30 national and international scientists, engineers and technical staff are working on the ship …
Read more on First science: aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough Science Trials
1 February, 2023 Kathleen Maclean
Simeon Anastasov, Principal Fire Engineer at OFR Consultants, is currently working at Rothera Research Station providing site supervision as part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). In this blog …
25 January, 2023 David Wilkins
Here at British Antarctic Survey, we recently opened our doors to over 40 companies in science, technology, and green innovation to help us make the next steps in reaching net …
3 January, 2023 Aurelia Reichardt
Working in Antarctica often means making the best out of what you got. For the Rothera 2022 wintering team, this meant spending a winter without diving, which had to be …
3 December, 2022 David Wilkins
David Wilkins is the Net Zero Engagement and Support Officer at British Antarctic Survey. He recently visited our new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough. On this International Day of …
Read more on All aboard: RRS Sir David Attenborough is about to depart
19 November, 2022 Livia Oldland
International Men’s Day is an annual celebration taking place on Saturday 19 November around some of the issues that specifically impact men and boys. The themes of the day centre …
Read more on International Men’s Day: Burnout in Cambridge and in the Polar Regions
26 September, 2022 Martin Siegert
Professor Martin Siegert is a glaciologist at Imperial College London and co-director of the Grantham Institute. He’s co-Chair of the Diversity in Polar Science Initiative and Chair of the UK …
30 August, 2022 Richard Horne
We speak to a British Antarctic Survey Scientist on becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society… Professor Richard Horne FRS is the former Head of Space Weather at the British …
Read more on Read, read, read and new ideas will come to you
23 August, 2022 Huw Griffiths
Huw Griffiths works in the Biodiversity Team at British Antarctic Survey. As he completes fieldwork in the Canadian Arctic with colleagues Cath Waller (University of Hull) and Steve Roberts (BAS), …
Read more on Blog: Hunting for microplastics in the high Arctic
18 July, 2022 Alexander Fyans
Heatwaves aren’t just scorching Europe – here’s what extreme temperatures mean for Antarctica.
7 July, 2022 Natalia Ford
This week is Net Zero Week, an opportunity for all of us to reflect on what we can do to help mitigate the worst effects of climate change. The work being done at BAS to help pave the road to net zero though continues year-round and there are many exciting initiatives planned and underway to support our net zero targets.
5 July, 2022 Jonathan Smith
Reaching net zero, as a country or a business, requires new measures, technology and innovations. Digital twins are an example of this; they can be a powerful tool to drive innovation and efficiency.
15 June, 2022 Alexander Fyans
Over the past year, our EDI interns have spent time at BAS working on a variety of fascinating polar projects. Here, we hear about how they’ve built their skills and …
Read more on In conversation with our interns: Research projects
8 June, 2022 Pilvi Saarikoski
Over the past year, our Equality Diversity and Inclusion interns have spent time at BAS working on a variety of fascinating polar projects. Here, we hear about how they’ve built …
Read more on In conversation with our interns: Career progression
1 June, 2022 Huw Griffiths
Huw Griffiths is a polar research scientist with British Antarctic Survey. During June PRIDE month he shares his personal experience of research as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the …
Read more on Carrying the PRIDE message to the Polar Regions
31 May, 2022 Pilvi Saarikoski
You may have heard acronyms such as EDI, DEI, EDIA, JEDI, and wondered what they mean. They refer to issues including equity, equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, concepts that take on different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context they exist in. Historically, and still today, we know that some people are systemically disadvantaged and marginalised in society, so whatever the acronym, inclusion work should generally try to dismantle and help unlearn prevailing unjust structural and cultural settings.
16 May, 2022 Emily Neville
Britain’s new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, has reached another exciting milestone, completing its first ever scientific assignment – retrieving a scientific mooring! RRS Sir David Attenborough is currently …
Read more on First science on board RRS Sir David Attenborough
13 May, 2022 Anna Jones
It can be difficult for anyone to find the right balance between their career and family. For some jobs these challenges reach new levels when the role requires you to work away from home for months at a time. This is most apparent for careers in the Forces or the Merchant Navy, but it is also true for many people who work in jobs that require field work, such as polar science.
1 March, 2022 Alexander Fyans
Simon Garrod, Director of BAS Operations and Engineering, reflects on Zero Discrimination Day and on the changes regarding inclusion and discrimination that have occurred since he started working in the polar environment nearly thirty years ago.
11 February, 2022 Melody Clark
Today, 11 February, is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a global initiative led by UNESCO and UN-Women. To celebrate, we have asked some of our female staff …
Read more on BAS celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science
2 February, 2022 Emily Neville
Neil Brims is the Electrician at Halley VI Research Station. In our latest blog, find out what life is like at Halley and how it feels to live at the …
27 January, 2022 Joseph Stebbing
Joe Stebbing, Assistant Project Manager, AIMP at British Antarctic Survey on how we are meeting our (supply chain) milestones. January has marked a momentous milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation …
Read more on From Inverness to Antarctica: meeting (supply chain) milestones
21 December, 2021 Christopher Robert Lloyd
Christopher Robert Lloyd, Contract Manager for Ramboll, will be working in Antarctica on constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He first travelled to Antarctica in …
Read more on The challenges of running Antarctic stations during a pandemic
21 December, 2021 Emily Neville
It’s been a busy few weeks for RRS Sir David Attenborough! After departing the UK on its maiden voyage over a month ago, the ship has made it all the …
3 December, 2021 Pilvi Saarikoski
Today, 3 December 2021, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The theme this year focuses on “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an …
23 November, 2021 Livia Oldland
The new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building, has a unique design to meet the challenges of living and working in Antarctica, along with helping …
5 October, 2021 Huw Griffiths
Black History Month recognises and celebrates the achievements of people with African or Caribbean heritage and takes place every October (in the UK). It marks the contributions of Black people …
Read more on Reflections on Black History Month and lessons for the Polar Research community
4 October, 2021 Amanda Wynne
The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was agreed in 1991 and came into force in 1998, once it had been ratified by all 26 (currently 28) Antarctic …
24 September, 2021 Tom Andersson
Tom Andersson, a data scientist at British Antarctic Survey Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab, shares the latest predictions from a new Arctic sea ice forecasting AI tool as this year’s Arctic …
Read more on BLOG: Predicting September 2021 Arctic sea ice using artificial intelligence
20 September, 2021 Amanda Wynne
2021 marks several anniversaries for diplomacy in the Polar Regions. This month (19 September) we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Arctic Council. Whilst the Arctic and Antarctic are truly …
28 July, 2021 Simon Morley
In the latest of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) blog series on the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network, we hear from Simon Morley, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) …
23 July, 2021 Natalia Ford
For the inaugural Net Zero Awareness Week (17-23 July), Natalia Ford — Sustainability Manager at British Antarctic Survey, raises some of the challenges of talking about reducing carbon emissions and …
16 July, 2021 Emily Neville
At British Antarctic Survey, the next chapter in shipborne research is about to begin. Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been undergoing an intensive programme of …
1 July, 2021 Ed Luke
Rothera Field Guide Ed Luke is part of the skilled team who safely facilitate fieldwork year-round in Antarctica. In this blog, Ed takes us on the experience of conducting winter …
23 June, 2021 Jon Ager
Jon Ager joined British Antarctic Survey as Director of the UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in 2019, after serving for almost 35 years in the Royal Air Force and aerospace …
Read more on BLOG: Diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond
23 June, 2021 Katie Handford
This International Women in Engineering Day 2021, Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme Trainee Project Manager Katie Handford shares her journey into polar engineering. I started in high school designing, building and racing 24V electrically powered …
23 June, 2021 Klaus Dodds
Klaus Dodds is Professor of Geopolitics at Royal Holloway University of London and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He is an Honorary Fellow of British Antarctic Survey and …
16 June, 2021 Aurelia Reichardt
Rothera Marine Biologist Nadia Frontier and Rothera Marine Assistant Ryan Mathews spoke about the work of the Bonner Laboratory and dive facility at Rothera Research Station during the Global Biodiversity …
Read more on Bonner Laboratory featured at Global Biodiversity Festival 2021
19 May, 2021 David Barnes
This week at Climate Exp0, Dr David Barnes, benthic marine Ecologist at British Antarctic Survey, has discussed the potential for mitigating climate change through nature-based solutions, including sharing collaborative research …
18 May, 2021 Laura Gerrish
Welcome to the new Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) blog series, updating our users about each update of the datasets in the ADD and about other pieces of work happening in …
11 May, 2021 Anita Faul
Over the last decade, digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, developed rapidly as did our capability to monitor our home planet from space with Earth Observation satellites. How can we most …
Read more on Innovative Research Sprints Tackle Challenges in Biodiversity and Exposure
27 April, 2021 James Bowyer
Doctor James Bowyer has just returned to the UK after providing medical cover for Rothera Research Station staff from 2019 – 2021. James shares his experiences of life and work …
31 March, 2021 Martin Siegert
Professor Martin Siegert from Imperial College London has just become one of the three new co-chairs of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative Steering committee. In this guest blog, …
Read more on Guest blog: Anti-racism must be at the heart of climate action
12 March, 2021 Christopher Robert Lloyd
Christopher Robert Lloyd, Site Supervisor for Ramboll, is currently working in Antarctica constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He travelled to Antarctica in December 2020 …
10 March, 2021 Emily Neville
Last month, the RRS Sir David Attenborough carried out two weeks of sea trials around the UK. We caught up with Captain Will Whatley to find out how it feels to be …
15 February, 2021 Livia Oldland
Billy Thursfield, Sub-Agent for BAM, is currently working on the construction of the new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building. Here he reflects on working …
11 February, 2021 Claudia Havranek
Scientific Data Manager Claudia Havranek, UK Polar Data Centre, presents the Port Lockroy Data Portal. Port Lockroy, Goudier Island, is a popular Antarctic tourist destination. Over the past 20 years …
9 February, 2021 Amelie Kirchgaessner
British Antarctic Survey scientist Dr Amelié Kirchgaessner shares her journey in polar science for International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 (11 Feb). My name is Amelié Kirchgaessner, …
8 February, 2021 Nadia Frontier
Nadia Frontier is the new Marine Biologist at Rothera Research Station. In her latest blog, Nadia takes us through safety training, wildlife sightings, and what it takes to dive successfully …
5 February, 2021 Nadia Frontier
Nadia Frontier is the new marine biologist at Rothera Research Station. In her blog below, Nadia takes us through arriving at Rothera, first impressions of the station, and Christmas celebrations! …
1 February, 2021 Katrin Linse
British Antarctic Survey biodiversity biologist Dr Katrin Linse is onboard German ship RV Sonne conducting a research expedition to map biodiversity in the Atlantic deep sea. In this blog, Katrin …
25 January, 2021 Povl Abrahamsen
Preparations are underway: a team of researchers are quarantining in the Falkland Islands before they begin their mission on board RRS James Cook bound for the giant A68a iceberg. The …
14 January, 2021 Christopher Robert Lloyd
During this year’s construction season at Rothera Research Station, the team begins the second season of erecting a state-of-the-art science and operations facility, The Discovery Building. This vital piece of …
Read more on Journey to Antarctica during the Covid-19 pandemic
3 November, 2020 Matthew Phillips
Matthew Phillips reflects on his three periods of quarantine this year in preparation for working in Antarctica as Rothera Winter Station Leader. All staff deployed to Antarctica this season will …
22 October, 2020 Kaitlin Naughten
Blog: Ocean modeller Dr Kaitlin Naughten discusses what we can do as individuals and as institutions to support our colleagues who stammer.
21 October, 2020 Nigel Bird
Guest Blog. UKRI-NERC’s Nigel Bird reflects on the highs and lows of the commission of RRS Sir David Attenborough.
15 October, 2020 Sharon Grant
To celebrate Black History Month Sharon Grant describes her time working for British Antarctic Suirvey in this guest blog.
21 September, 2020 Alexandra Dodds
Alexandra Dodds is albatross zoological field assistant at the British Antarctic Survey Bird Island Research Station in South Georgia. The team have been working hard over the austral winter, conducting …
18 September, 2020 Michael Meredith
As the Arctic sea ice minimum approaches this month, we share a blog from Professor Mike Meredith at British Antarctic Survey about how the region is rapidly changing in our …