Diversity in UK Polar Science – Steering Group

Also in Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative

Steering Group Membership

The Diversity in UK Polar Science Steering Group, Co-chaired by representatives from the British Antarctic Survey, Cardiff University and University of Exeter includes individuals from British Antarctic Survey, UK Higher Education Institutes, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), European Polar Board (EPB), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Polar Regions Department, UKRI and NERC, as well as diversity and inclusion advocates including Women in Polar Science group, Minorities in Polar Science group, disabilities and LGBTQ+ allies.

Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley – Co-chair
is Director Innovation and Impact and Directorate Diversity Champion at BAS. Her remit is to unlock the potential of polar research for the benefit of society and economy, and to foster innovative ways of working. She has a passion for people, addressing issues of global importance such as equality and climate, and helping society adapt to a changing world.
A person posing for the camera Samantha Buzzard – Co-chair

Samantha is a glaciologist and climate scientist and lecturer in Climate Science at Cardiff University, where her research focusses on Antarctica’s ice shelves. As a former president of the UK Polar Network and current International Arctic Science Committee Fellow she is passionate about both improving the equality, diversity and inclusivity in our polar sciences community, and communicating the results of our work beyond this community.
A man wearing a suit and tie Martin Siegert – Co-chair
Prof. Martin Siegert FRSE is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Cornwall) at the University of Exeter and Chair of The UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnerships committee. Previously he was a Professor at Imperial College London and Co-Director of the Grantham Institute since May 2014, where he now holds a visiting professorship. Previously, he was Head of the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh, where he is now an honorary Professor. Martin led the Lake Ellsworth Consortium – a UK-NERC funded programme that designed an experiment to explore a large subglacial lake beneath the ice of West Antarctica and is the UK PI on the International ICECAP programme that has deployed medium range geophysical flights in Antarctica since 2008.
Jane Rumble OBE.
Head of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Polar Regions Department since 2007. Deputy Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory, UK CCAMLR Commissioner and the former Chair of DiPSi Steering Committee. Jane is a geographer by background and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. During 2018 Jane was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Leeds and an OBE for services to Polar science, marine conservation and diplomacy.
A woman wearing glasses and smiling at the camera Kate Hendry

Dr Kate Hendry is a biogeochemist and chemical oceanographer at the University of Bristol, interested in understanding nutrient cycling in the modern ocean, and the link between past climatic change, ocean circulation, nutrient supply and biological productivity. She is currently Chair of Antarctic Science Ltd, who run the Antarctic Science International Bursary Scheme, and the Geosciences rep for the UK National Committee for Antarctic Research (UKNCAR). Kate is a co-opted member of the UK marine science Challenger Society for Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility.
https://research.tees.ac.uk/files-asset/4126723/DisplayPhoto.jpg Simon McKeown
Prof Simon McKeown, representing disability networks. He currently works as Professor of Art, MIMA School of Art and Design (2020-), and in a previous role was Reader in Computer Animation and Post-Production at Teesside University (2004-2020). Simon holds a PHD in fine and studio arts.
https://www.scar.org/images/people/Chandy_Nath_web.jpg Chandrika Nath
is Executive Director of SCAR has a PhD in High Energy Physics and worked as a glaciologist at BAS and has 17 years’ experience of providing scientific advice to policy makers across the UK Government and SCAR. She has a keen interest in diversity and capacity building and has worked with parliaments and researchers across the world to support uptake of research evidence in policy-making.
A man smiling for the camera

Eoghan Griffin

is Executive Officer of SCAR and has a PhD in Atmospheric Physics and is a qualified teacher. In his roles at SCAR he has helped manage aspects of the Open Science Conferences, develop Climate Change communications, manage the Capacity Building activities of the organisation and support specific policy activities such as within UNFCCC.
Renuka Badhe
is the Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board (EPB), holds a PhD on Southern Ocean phytoplankton physiology, and other degrees in environmental sciences, economics and public policy. Renuka has experience with various aspects of polar science, policy and strategy development and the interfaces between them form her principle area of interest.
A person posing for the camera Cheryl Hewer

leads the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) programme in the Strategy Directorate at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) having previously led the implementation of the former EDI action plan for Research Councils UK (RCUK). Through-out her career, she has gained 20 years- experience working across a range of policy areas including spending review, research funding, knowledge exchange and impact and public engagement with research.
A person wearing glasses posing for the camera Nicole Logan-Park

BAS Estates Asset Engineer – Works in the British Antarctic Survey Estates office alongside the Head of Polar Estates, Head of Antarctic Buildings and Services, Facilities Engineers for the BAS Cambridge Site and Antarctic Stations; In addition Nicole is charged with defining and supporting the Asset Information Requirements (AIR) processes and procedures for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Program (AIMP).

She is an active member of the BAS and UKRI EDI network and supports the UK Polar Horizons Initiative outreach programme.
Huw Griffiths
is a BAS marine biogeographer with an interest in the Polar Regions. He is a passionate believer in science communication and making science more accessible to the public, policy makers and government. Within BAS he has played a leading role within the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sphere, co-organising the UK Polar Horizons Initiative. Huw is also the 2020 awardee of the SCAR medal for Education and Communication.
A person wearing glasses posing for the camera Pilvi Saarikoski (they/them)

works as Impact Facilitator within the British Antarctic Survey’s Innovation team. Their work involves project management and facilitation across the priority areas of the BAS Innovation and Impact Strategy, where one of the main pillars is enhancing and supporting inclusive innovation culture for the Polar community.
Mariella Giancola
is the Head of Human Resource at BAS and leads the EDI Agenda. Mariella has spent most of her professional life working with researchers and professional staff in Cambridge to enhance their career opportunities and develop a more inclusive workplace. Since she joined BAS in 2015 Mariella has worked closely with members of the Staff Forum and the EDI Network to drive the EDI agenda at BAS.
Lara Lalemi
is a Postgraduate research student in Chemistry at Bristol University. Lara put on the first BME LGBT+ event at the Students’ Union and was the BME LGBT+ rep for the BME network and organised a new Diversity in STEM event to platform speakers from minority groups in science.
A women standing in front of a mountain landscape Millie Harding

Millie is a MRes student at the Department of Geography of Durham University with her current work focussing using machine learning, satellite imagery, and environmental data to understand the shrubification of the Alaskan Sub-Arctic looking at alder. She is also UKPN EDI officer alongside Louise Mercer.
A person next to a body of water Louise Mercer

Louise Mercer is a a PhD student at Northumbria University, UK. Currently, her research centers on better understanding community-based monitoring of environmental change in the Canadian Arctic. Through her research, she hopes to advance collaborative partnerships and capacity sharing to promote resilient and sustainable environmental monitoring approaches. In doing so, different capacities and insights from diverse knowledge systems are brought together to guide environmental monitoring toward appropriate and effective decision-making. She is also UKPN EDI officer alongside Millie Harding.