Science teams
We approach the big questions in polar science by working in interdisciplinary teams from within our organisation and also in partnership with leading universities and research organisations from the UK and elsewhere.
National Capability for Global Challenges
Polar Expertise – Supporting Development
Testing space flight missions at Halley
The remoteness and winter isolation of communities working in Antarctica provide an excellent environment for research into human behaviour, performance, health and well being. Many studies of overwintering staff in Antarctica …
Cambridge Centre for Climate Science
CCfCS promotes interdisciplinary research in climate science across the wide range of departments and institutes in Cambridge.
EU-PolarNet
A strategic framework to connect science and society
Antarctic drilling missions seek to understand climate and ice dynamics
12 December, 2024
Over 30 researchers from international institutes are working on ice core drilling campaigns in Antarctica to probe the ice sheet’s behaviour, carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, and the Earth’s …
New deep-sea mollusc species co-habits with anemone
3 December, 2024
A new species of tusk shell, a burrowing marine mollusc, has been discovered in deep, North Atlantic waters by scientists from British Antarctic Survey and the Senckenberg Society for Nature …
Plastic reduces how krill remove carbon into deep ocean
20 November, 2024
New research shows that increased levels of plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean could reduce the ability of Antarctic krill, a tiny shrimp-like crustacean, to help take CO2 from the atmosphere. The …
UK researchers join forces to put science at forefront of climate solutions
3 November, 2021
British Antarctic Survey is one of seven Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) supported centres and the Met Office, which will work together as the new UK National Climate Science Partnership (UKNCSP) to respond to threats posed by a rapidly changing climate by putting climate science at the forefront of the solutions agenda.
RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands
1 March, 2021
Today (Monday 1 March 2021) the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) makes her final call to her home port of the Falkland Islands. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of her 20/21 Antarctic season. …
Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica calves
26 February, 2021
A huge iceberg (1270 km²) the size of the county of Bedfordshire has broken off the 150-m thick Brunt Ice Shelf, almost a decade after scientists at British Antarctic Survey …
Evaluation concludes BAS research is ‘world leading’
21 January, 2021
An evaluation of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has provided an objective assessment of its research excellence and impact. It concludes BAS is ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. Two independent panels …
BAS field season underway
8 January, 2021
The BAS field season is underway. Since the RRS James Clark Ross departed the UK in November last year, it has safely delivered summer and wintering staff and essential cargo …
Plans for International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration in response to COVID-19
12 June, 2020
The joint US/UK five-year programme to study the future contribution of Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica to global sea-level rise – the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) – announces news …
Scientists drill for first time on remote Antarctic Glacier
28 January, 2020
Teams from the US and UK have successfully completed scientific fieldwork in one of the most remote and hostile areas of West Antarctica – coinciding with the 200th anniversary of …
Scientists head to Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier
14 November, 2019
Nearly 100 scientists and support staff depart this week (13 November 2019) for the most ambitious mission to date for Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. In the second year of …
Halley VI Research Station – relocation success
2 February, 2017
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has successfully relocated Halley VI Research Station to its new home on the Brunt Ice Shelf. Operational teams have spent the past 13 weeks moving each …
New field season begins
29 November, 2016
As spring returns to the southern hemisphere British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has started another research season which will take them over land, sea and ice in search of answers to …
PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science
23 November, 2015
New season tackles ambitious science and logistical challenges The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2015/16 field season is underway with dozens of scientists and support staff – together with planes and tonnes …
NEWS STORY: BAS ranked highly by Nature
21 June, 2013
BAS rated highly in research institution rankings NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) both feature among the world’s top 100 Earth and environmental science institutions, according …
NEWS STORY: Agreement signed with Chile
19 November, 2012
British Antarctic Survey and Chilean Antarctic Institute sign agreement to strengthen science cooperation This month Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary, William Hague welcomed a joint commitment to partner …
First science: aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough Science Trials
14 February, 2023 by 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 …
