UK Science in 2014-2020 Cover: Twin Otter aircraft fl ying over the This page: UK sea-ice scientists pass in front of a huge iceberg in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Contents

Foreword 4 Introduction 7 Funding and science delivery 8 Science challenges 2014-2020 12 Supporting science – managing our assets 20 Success through collaborations and partnerships 22 Making an impact 25 Contacts 26

3 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Foreword

Antarctica is the largest Antarctica. UK scientists have played a leading role in this global research effort. and most pristine Britain’s Antarctic scientifi c research wilderness on Earth, and and its operational presence are critical for informing UK Government policy an unrivalled natural objectives, including those for climate laboratory for scientific change, energy security, global food security, innovation and economic growth. research. The UK strives to achieve excellence in all that we do in Antarctica. We fund science Antarctica’s importance as a continent for that benefi ts humanity, sustainable use of international scientifi c collaboration was resources, helps protect the planet and fi rst recognised during the International generates economic and social impact. Geophysical Year (IGY 1957-58). Today the We insist that our research outcomes Antarctic Treaty provides the international are disseminated to the international framework for scientifi c collaboration, academic community. We deliver environmental stewardship and peaceful stakeholder and public engagement use of the continent. campaigns which explain the importance and relevance of our investment in Britain was one of the original 12 nations Antarctica to everyday life. to sign the Antarctic Treaty – a highly successful agreement that came into force The focal point for the UK’s polar science in 1961 and now has 50 signatories. The UK community is the continues to be a leader in the Antarctic (BAS). Owned and managed by NERC Treaty System (ATS). The UK Antarctic Acts (Natural Environment Research Council), of 1994 and 2013 emphasise our long­ BAS is responsible for delivering and term commitment to the ATS. An effective supporting UK scientifi c research and legislative and administrative framework infrastructure in accordance with the ATS seeks to ensure that all British activities in on behalf of the UK Government. BAS Antarctica are conducted in a safe and manages Antarctic and subantarctic environmentally-sensitive way. infrastructure to enable UK and international polar scientists to work safely Much of our current understanding of and effectively at research stations, in the global climate change, ocean circulation, fi eld, on ships and on aircraft. weather patterns, space weather, glaciology, geological history, biodiversity The ability to conduct world-class research and the resilience of life on Earth is the in Antarctica now and in the future is result of decades of scientifi c observation, closely connected with the UK’s wider analysis and monitoring studies in responsibilities in Antarctica. The UK

4 Government has earmarked over £200 million for a new UK polar research ship to enable new and continuing investigations into the impact of environmental change. Britain has had a long-standing interest in the region, beginning with the fi rst circumnavigation of the continent by Captain James Cook in 1772-75, through the ‘Heroic Age’ of Scott and Shackleton’s expeditions, to modern- day science and responsible tourism. Along with such interest has come responsibility, for the British Antarctic Territory, as well as for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, both of which are UK Overseas Territories. In all its actions involving science and presence in the region the UK fully respects and supports the provisions of the , to ensure that the region remains a continent devoted to peace and science. This document, UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020, creates a framework for British research in one of the most important regions of our planet. It addresses the urgent need to refi ne our understanding of the Earth’s climate system; how the ecosystem will evolve in coming decades; and urges the science community to make new and important research discoveries that will benefi t UK society and its economy. Innovation and research are at the heart of the UK growth agenda. The advancement of Antarctic knowledge and understanding is essential to a promising future for the UK. As the key Ministers with responsibilities for investment and increased national and international collaboration in Antarctic research, infrastructure and governance, we expect UK polar science to continue to be amongst the best in the world.

David Willetts MP Mark Simmonds MP Minister of State Parliamentary Under Secretary for Universities and of State for Foreign and Timelapse of meteorological balloon release Science Commonwealth Affairs at , Antarctica Professor Eric Wolff FRS examines a slice of Antarctic ice core UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Introduction

Vision: To place Antarctic recognition and have changed human­ kind’s understanding of planet Earth. environmental science The UK’s vibrant Antarctic research at the heart of the community plays a leading role in the international efforts to investigate and responsible management monitor environmental change in the of our planet Polar Regions. A multi-disciplinary science programme and supporting operations address key issues of global importance Purpose of this document ranging across the environmental sciences, This document outlines the UK’s high-level from biology (evolution, fi sheries, genetics), direction for science in Antarctica and to physical sciences (oceanography, the Southern Ocean from 2014 to 2020. climate and ice), to space weather, It identifi es the key research areas that geology, and environmental chemistry. Government will invest in, the geopolitical Over 200 scientists in UK universities and and economic context in which we work, research centres undertake frontier science and the value we place on working in Antarctica, with over 50 young students with international partners. It is a ‘living per year involved in research programmes. document’ that will be revised over time The Association of Polar Early-Career to take into account new discoveries, new Scientists (APECS) is an international technologies, and new ways of thinking. organisation creating opportunities This document was completed after a for innovative and interdisciplinary consultation process that ran from April to collaborations among early-career polar June 2014. researchers as well as recruiting, retaining and promoting the next generation of UK Science in Antarctica, the subantarctic polar scientists. The UK has a thriving group and the Southern Ocean – 2014-2020 with over 300 members. The UK’s Antarctic research ambitions are A core ambition of this strategy is to provide to contribute to our understanding of how a framework that fosters UK and international the planet works and predict how it will partnerships so that scientists can change, and to manage our presence in address the challenges of understanding Antarctica responsibly. Antarctica’s role in infl uencing the global environment. This research leads to new For over a century Britain has been at insight and discovery about our world, the forefront of exploration and scientific ensures an active and infl uential Antarctic research in Antarctica. The scientific regional presence for the UK, and is critical advances that have been made over for informing and involving Government, recent decades have gained international civil society and business. 7 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Funding and science delivery

NERC (Natural from the UK science community, and colleagues from many nations, to work Environment Research safely and effectively in the Antarctic and Council) is the UK’s its surrounding areas. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office leading public funder of allocate revenue, from income tax in the environmental science. British Antarctic Territory and other sources, to a range of activities. These include the operation of King Edward Point Research One of seven Research Councils, operating Station on South Georgia, the Discovering under the Department of Business, Antarctica education and schools resource Innovation and Skills, NERC is a world leader (www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk) in excellence and efficiency. and other environmental and research NERC is the primary funder for UK Antarctic projects that provide practical benefits research and operational infrastructure. to the region. Funding from the European NERC investment to exploit the unique Union currently underpins pan-European capability of low-orbiting satellites, collaborations to investigate topics such as including the European Space Agency future sea-level rise, the impact of ocean Cryosat missions, has made a major acidifi cation on marine invertebrates contribution to UK and international and space weather research. This mix of scientifi c investigations of ice melt and funding is expected to continue and be rapid change in the West Antarctic supplemented by new sources resulting Ice Sheet. NERC invests in research from partnerships with other research programmes that bring together the best institutions, as well as from business. UK polar scientists and infrastructure to Scientifi c access to Antarctica requires understand how the changes to ocean an operational infrastructure, including circulation and the behaviour of ice sheets research stations, ships and aircraft, to will impact on future sea level and climate. provide the facilities and level of safety The focal point for UK Antarctic research required in such a remote and hostile part and operations is NERC’s British Antarctic of the planet. Antarctic Treaty nations Survey (BAS). Based in Cambridge, BAS work together in an effort to minimise designs and delivers an interdisciplinary operational costs. research programme, Polar Science for Planet Earth, and manages the research infrastructure that enables academics

8 Royal Research Ship James Clark -ice survey in the , Antarctica UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Funding and science delivery

UK Antarctic science delivery – the The UK – through BAS – is a member of international dimension COMNAP. COMNAP is an international association, formed in 1988, which brings No one nation has the capability to study together national Antarctic programmes. the entire Antarctic continent. International National Antarctic programmes are those collaboration and co-operation are organisations that have responsibility essential to achieve a co-ordinated for delivering and supporting scientific research effort. The UK plays an active research in the Antarctic Treaty area on role in shaping research programmes and behalf of their respective governments and delivering effi cient operational support in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. through its interaction with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) COMNAP’s purpose is to “develop and and the Council of Managers of National promote best practice in managing the Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP). support of scientifi c research in Antarctica”. It does this by: The UK National Committee for Antarctic Research (UKNCAR) promotes and co­ • serving as a forum to develop practices ordinates the UK’s interest in the activities that improve effectiveness of activities in of SCAR. It operates under the auspices an environmentally responsible manner of the Royal Society, the national • facilitating and promoting international body representing UK interests to the partnerships International Council for Science (ICSU). • providing opportunities and systems for information exchange SCAR is a committee of ICSU and it is charged with the initiation, promotion • providing the Antarctic Treaty System and co-ordination of scientifi c research with objective and practical, technical in Antarctica. SCAR also provides and non-political advice drawn from the international, independent scientifi c advice national Antarctic programmes’ pool of to the Antarctic Treaty System and other expertise bodies. The membership of SCAR comprises the appropriate bodies of those national scientifi c academies or research councils which are the adhering bodies to ICSU (or by some other means, if a country currently has no national organisation adhering to ICSU). Members must be, or plan to be, active in Antarctic research, together with the relevant scientifi c Unions of ICSU.

11 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Science challenges 2014-2020

Designed to improve The primary motivators for Britain’s Antarctic research challenges are aimed at: knowledge about our • understanding and managing environmental change through sustained planet, to advance observation and studies of physical understanding of the processes, modelling of Antarctic systems and projecting their role within the future processes, vulnerability Earth system and risks that arise from • understanding Antarctic biodiversity and how it supports vital natural services, natural and man-made conservation of marine living resources phenomena, this national and commercial fi shing activity • advancing knowledge through curiosity- research programme driven research where the benefi ts to society emerge only as the research aims to increase our progresses ability to predict Collaboration in the Antarctic is essential for scientifi c and operational success. environmental change, The UK will continue to work with the and inform the policy international polar science community to identify the most compelling scientific and economic decision- questions in Antarctic research and develop optimal strategies for delivering making process that will answers to those questions. help society adapt and The UK is a key participant within the thrive in the future. Scientifi c Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The UK polar science community will contribute to development The UK’s multi-disciplinary Antarctic of a long-term strategy, which will identify research effort investigates how the and set science priorities in Antarctic and processes of natural variability and human- Southern Ocean science for the next two induced change work – as a whole Earth decades. BAS will continue to work with system, from global to local scale, from SCAR and COMNAP to identify critical millions of years past to the present and infrastructure, logistical, and technological into the future.

12 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

requirements necessary to support the most important future science. This advice will inform national and international decisions concerning investment. The UK Antarctic community will continue to provide expert commentary and science briefi ngs to Government, including the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The science challenges outlined in this document build on decades of accumulated scientifi c knowledge and expertise gained through the UK’s long history of scientifi c endeavour.

Science challenge: Understanding global environmental change Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean play a key role in the global climate system. They exert important controls on global sea-level rise, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and the transport of heat around the planet. The scientific evidence that the world’s climate is changing is extensive and clear – and parts of the Polar Regions are warming much faster than most other regions. To refi ne our understanding of how the climate system works and how climate will change in the coming decades and centuries we must continue our investigative research. The UK polar community brings a broad range of scientifi c expertise to bear on research goals such as:

Melt pools on George VI Sound, Antarctica

13 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Science challenges 2014-2020

Sea-level rise. On the Antarctic Peninsula and in the ice sheet is thinning, and satellite data reveal this rate is accelerating. In West Antarctica, warm ocean currents deep beneath the ice shelves are melting the ice and causing it to fl ow into the sea faster than snow can accumulate. The speed of changes in some areas, such as Pine Island Glacier in the Amundsen Sea region, has surprised scientists. Our goal is to quantify the processes causing the rapid ice loss so that we can make more accurate predictions of future sea-level rise. To do this we will: • improve understanding of the ocean- atmosphere and bed interactions controlling ice-sheet fl ow and ice-sheet evolution • build and apply a robust mathematical and numerical framework for computer simulation of ice-sheet change and sea- level rise • establish improved histories of ice- sheet change to provide context and constraint for future projections Global ocean circulation is one of the mechanisms by which polar processes can, within decades, directly infl uence the entire Earth System. This infl uence is felt in all areas, including the seas around the UK. Its importance results in large part from the enormous capacity of the ocean to store and redistribute fresh water, heat, carbon dioxide and other climatically-important substances. Our goal is to quantify and model these processes and make more accurate predictions about global impacts

Deep-fi eld camp on Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica 14 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

of Southern Ocean changes, through: change, the UK polar community will seek • identifi cation of processes that initiate to: and drive the overturning circulation in • explain changes in atmospheric the Southern Ocean circulation, temperature and sea-ice • determination of the changing impact of extent in both polar regions over the past melting ice on ocean circulation 50 years and determine how much of • understanding the physical drivers of this change is due to human activity and changes in the marine environment and how much is a result of natural factors the likely implications for climate and • improve the representation of polar ecosystems climate processes in large-scale models • quantifi cation of the role of the Southern by conducting science campaigns Ocean as one of the major carbon sinks, to advance understanding into those integrating studies of ocean circulation, processes air/sea/ice interactions and marine • improve climate predictions in the polar ecosystems regions on the space and timescales needed by the international scientific The climate of the Antarctic is controlled community (including glaciologists, primarily by interactions between incoming oceanographers and biologists) solar radiation, the atmosphere, the ocean and ice. The complexity of these Science challenge: Refi ning our knowledge interactions, and the particular sensitivity about past, present and future change of sea ice to climate change, makes accurate projection of Antarctic climate Policy and business decisions need to be change a formidable challenge. The UK backed up with evidence from data and will continue to operate and develop scientifi c analysis that enables assessment sustainable observing systems required to of the benefi ts that different levels of identify trends and provide the foundation action and investment will have. The Polar data that underpin signifi cant areas of Regions hold unique natural archives that science. To maximise impact and minimise record how the planet changed in the overlap, this will be done in collaboration past. Fundamental questions about future with international programmes such as change on the planet may be answered the World Meteorological Organisation’s by detailed investigations of these Global Atmospheric Watch, SCAR/SCOR’s archives. In particular, hidden in the ice Southern Ocean Observing System and and are clues to the the UK’s Centre for Polar Observation and movement of continental plates, evolution Modelling (CPOM). To achieve a significant of global climate and greenhouse gas forward step in such regional climate concentrations, growth of ice sheets, and modelling and its impact on global climate the adaptations that allow the plants

15 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Science challenges 2014-2020

and animals that live in Antarctica today was agreed in 1982 and is intended to to survive. The UK has an exceptional conserve all marine living organisms in capability in a range of palaeo-disciplines Antarctica and related areas. and these will focus on addressing topics such as: All fi shing in the Southern Ocean is regulated by CCAMLR. In this convention • understanding what controlled the timing the word “conservation” is defi ned to and strengths of the major climate shifts include rational use of the resources. of the last million years and beyond, The convention applies to the marine particularly the shifts from glacial periods areas south of the Polar Front (the border (ice ages) to interglacial warm periods between cold Antarctic water and the • using the warmest periods of the last warmer water to the north, which occurs million years to tell us about the likely between 45 and 60ºS, including South response of polar regions to future Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands). climate change The UK will continue to play an active • explaining how evolutionary and palaeo­ role within CCAMLR and contribute to environmental conditions shaped present the development of policies for Marine polar biogeography and biodiversity Protected Areas. The challenge for scientists is to understand Science challenge: Understanding biodiversity in Southern Ocean ecosystems biodiversity for responsible management of and to provide the Antarctic Treaty System the environment regulatory bodies with research outcomes The Antarctic Treaty’s Environmental and advice that facilitate environmental Protocol, and the associated agreements stewardship of Antarctica through an based on it, play an important part in ecosystems management approach. A key environmental protection and natural focus of the UK’s polar ecosystem science resource management in Antarctica and is to explore how key populations respond the Southern Ocean. A variety of measures to change. Investigations will lead to: put in place by the Antarctic Treaty, • enhanced understanding of what including the Committee for Environmental determines the ability of species to adapt Protection (CEP), the Convention for the to change through genetic, physiological Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living and ecological processes across a range Resources (CCAMLR) and the Convention of marine and terrestrial ecosystems for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals • the development of quantitative (CCAS) aim to protect not only the descriptions of the life-cycles of species resources that humans harvest, but also to determine their likely response to species whose survival depends on those environmental change resources. For example, CCAMLR, which

16 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

• determination of the resilience of polar ecosystems to past and current climate change to predict how they may respond in the future • provision of data and policy advice on key species and whole ecosystems to underpin further development of sustainable fi sheries management in the Southern Ocean

Science challenge: Exploring the frontiers of knowledge Throughout the history of modern environmental science, curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown has delivered unforeseen benefi ts to society. Both Polar Regions still contain unexplored environments, both macroscopic and microscopic, whose scientifi c and practical importance cannot yet be determined. The UK environmental science community has developed world-leading technologies for exploring many of these environments. These include systems capable of mapping the geology of a continent covered by kilometres of ice, and autonomous submersible vehicles (e.g. Autosub) developed by the National Oceanography Centre, which can be used to explore safely the most inaccessible parts of the world’s oceans. By continuing to develop and use innovative technologies, the UK will investigate the key features of many poorly-understood and unexplored environments. Focus areas include: • mapping the geological structure of the unexplored Antarctic continental interior Brittle star, Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica

17 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Science challenges 2014-2020

• searching for life in recently discovered processes must be understood before they lakes and connected hydrological can be incorporated into models and it systems that exist beneath the Antarctic is only against real-world data that the ice sheet performance of models can be tested and • making the fi rst oceanographic verified. measurements in previously inaccessible ocean cavities beneath Antarctic ice Polar science framework shelves Although there are strong geographic, • understanding environmental niches in geopolitical and social contrasts between which highly-adapted Antarctic species the continental south Polar Region and its cling to life oceanic northern counterpart, UK scientists • investigating the atmosphere above are active in both and there is a growing Antarctica where unique chemical appreciation that a combined polar processes occur, including the formation approach will lead to improved insight of the Antarctic Ozone Hole in many areas. For example, if climate • using the unique observing locations of change continues, many processes Antarctica to study space weather commonly observed in Arctic and subarctic glacial environments today may Science challenge: Models and future become signifi cant in Antarctica in future predictions decades. UK scientists are building an integrated programme of polar science. Models that represent the Earth as This will ensure that knowledge acquired complex computer simulations are now in each Polar Region is properly integrated central to building projections of future into polar and global research, recognising climate and understanding environmental that: change across a wide range of time • our understanding of many polar and spatial scales. These models are also processes has applicability in both used by scientists to extrapolate sparse hemispheres observational data and for exploring the importance of interactions and feedbacks • instruments, techniques, and even ships within the Earth System. The UK polar and aircraft, developed for use in one science community is working alongside polar region may have application in the many groups across the world, such as the other UK’s Met Offi ce Hadley Centre, to ensure • some scientifi c issues demand studies in that improvements in understanding of both hemispheres (e.g. the north-south polar processes are properly represented ‘see-saw’ identifi ed in palaeo-climate in predictive models. Models cannot, records) however, be developed in isolation. Key

18 Working on the sea ice from RRS UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Supporting science – managing our assets

Britain’s national chemistry. Halley has a snow runway and supports a number of summer fi eld science Antarctic research effort activities. is supported by large- Bird Island Research Station is located on a small island at the western end of South scale infrastructure, Georgia. The research concentrates on the services and facilities, and biology of birds and seals, huge numbers of which live on the island. national-good services. King Edward Point Research Station is situated close to Grytviken on the main Managed on NERC’s behalf by BAS, island of South Georgia. The station focuses this support structure sustains a UK on applied fi sheries research and supports national capability in Antarctica to meet the GSGSSI. academic, policy and societal needs. Signy Research Station is a summer-only BAS operates three research stations in the station situated on one of the South Orkney Antarctic and two on subantarctic South Islands. Signy supports terrestrial and Georgia. One of these, King Edward Point freshwater sciences, especially biology, (KEP), is managed on behalf of the Foreign and a CCAMLR monitoring programme. and Commonwealth Offi ce (FCO) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Ships. The UK ice-strengthened research Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI). vessel RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) is one of the world’s most sophisticated floating is situated on laboratories. RRS (ES) Adelaide Island to the west of the Antarctic provides logistic support and resupplies the Peninsula. The site includes a crushed rock stations. runway, hanger and wharf. Rothera is the UK centre for Antarctic biological research RRS James Clark Ross, launched in 1990, and for supporting deep-fi eld and air is primarily a marine research vessel operations. It is the largest British Antarctic for biological, oceanographic and facility and supports a wide range of geophysical cruises. It is equipped with a collaborative science programmes. suite of laboratories and winch systems that allow scientifi c equipment to be Halley Research Station is built on a floating deployed astern or amidships. The ship has ice shelf in the south-east of the Weddell an extremely low noise signature, allowing Sea. Scientifi c research concentrates on the deployment of sensitive acoustic atmospheric sciences, meteorology and equipment. A swath bathymetry system

20 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

was fi tted in 2000. The JCR also carries out some cargo and logistical work. During the northern summer the JCR supports NERC research, largely in the Arctic. RRS Ernest Shackleton, launched in 1995, is primarily a logistics vessel used to transport cargo, fuel and passengers. The ship also has a basic scientifi c capability and undertakes some research work. During the northern summer, the ES is commercially chartered and usually works in the North The new fl agship for polar science (artist’s visualisation) Sea. In addition to the two BAS vessels, the low emissions and will have ice-breaking Ice Patrol ship HMS Protector capabilities that will allow a greater operates in the Antarctic. The ship supports geographic area of operations. UK science as well as fulfi lling international hydrographic survey obligations and Aircraft. Five polar aircraft support UK helping to discharge the UK’s responsibilities research and operations during the austral under the Antarctic Treaty, including summer. The largest is the four-engined through hosting multi-national inspection de Havilland Canada Dash 7, the primary teams. role of which is to provide a link between points of departure in South America and A new polar marine vessel, to be in the Falkland Islands, and Rothera Research operation by 2019, will provide a world- Station for both passengers and cargo. It leading platform to support complex multi­ also undertakes fl ights to blue-ice runways disciplinary scientifi c missions in the polar to lay fuel depots, and carries out scientific regions and provide logistic support to survey work. Antarctic research stations. This world-class, ice-strengthened research ship will have Four de Havilland Canada Twin Otter state-of-the-art laboratories, enhanced aircraft deploy deep-fi eld parties and capabilities for sophisticated environmental work as science platforms. Two of the monitoring, and facilities for the aircraft are also confi gured to undertake deployment and operation of remotely- aerial photography, remote sensing, operated and autonomous marine and meteorological studies and geophysical airborne vehicles. The new vessel will survey work. Usually based at Rothera, the maximise fuel and energy effi ciency, have Twin Otters also operate out of Halley.

21 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Success through collaborations and partnerships

Antarctic science is Continued pressure on public expenditure affects most polar nations. We will continue driven by an unrivalled to deliver value for money by scrutinising how we manage our assets and seek curiosity to understand opportunities with partners to share polar our world. infrastructure and logistics. Major advances in polar satellite and Some of the best scientifi c evidence about airborne technologies, mathematical our changing planet is generated by modelling, risk analysis and genetics scientists from world-leading organisations provide a launch-pad for innovation. working together. This evidence underpins We will seek new opportunities to work the policy and business decisions that will with business and industry to develop help future generations live with and adapt novel products and services that deliver to environmental change. economic, societal and environmental benefi t to the UK. Britain will continue to actively pursue national and international collaborations The creation of a new Innovation Centre at that bring together an extraordinary the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge range of scientifi c expertise, stimulate was announced in March 2013 by the interdisciplinary research, and initiate Minister for Universities and Science, the opportunities to develop a comprehensive Rt Hon David Willetts MP. The project has Earth System approach. Our world-leading a budget of £3.8 million and the Centre polar research and international networks is scheduled to open in March 2015. frequently make us the partner of choice Funded by NERC, the initiative strengthens for science and logistics collaborations in academic links between BAS and the the Polar Regions. University of Cambridge, including the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI). The UK interests in maintaining peace, stability ambition is to stimulate new scientifi c and and the environmental stewardship of business collaborations that will lead to Antarctica will continue to advance improved economic benefi t for the UK. through the Antarctic Treaty System. Long­ standing relationships with Treaty nations, and high-level bi-lateral agreements, including the 2011 -UK arrangement and the 2012 Chile-UK Memorandum of Understanding, will continue to increase scientifi c co-operation in all aspects of polar research.

22 Flags fl ying at an international deep-fi eld survey site in Halley VI Research Station, Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Making an impact

An ambition of this polar research community works with international partners to achieve scientific Antarctic science excellence, contributes to competitiveness and solves societal challenges. To achieve strategy is to bring this we will design and undertake strategic together the best talent communication and public engagement campaigns that: from across the UK • ensure that research outcomes are taken up by policy and business decision and create effective makers mechanisms to ensure • demonstrate how research outcomes are research outcomes relevant to everyday lives • illustrate how collaboration has achieved are excellent, push the more than would have been possible otherwise frontiers of knowledge, • attract global media attention and have the potential to • enthuse the next generation in science deliver benefi ts for society We will measure our progress and achievements using the following and the economy. indicators: • World-class excellence of UK Antarctic Critical indicators of successful impact research – benchmarked against other include: publication of results in high-quality nations and measured through analysis peer-reviewed journals; high-level policy of scientifi c publications, citations and advice to UK Government; leadership wider measures of scientifi c quality in Antarctic affairs; and participation in • Impact – economic and societal benefit infl uential reports such as those produced demonstrated through case studies, user by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate testimony, economic valuations and Change (IPCC). annual metrics agreed with NERC Public attitudes to, and trust in, science will • Partnership effectiveness demonstrated continue to shape public engagement in by satisfaction, outcomes and co- research programmes. Communication, funding dissemination and exploitation of research outcomes will demonstrate how the UK

25 UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020

Contacts

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS): www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-innovation-skills

Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce, Polar Regions Department (FCO): www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-antarctic-territory

Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC): www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change

NERC (Natural Environment Research Council): www.nerc.ac.uk

British Antarctic Survey (BAS): www.antarctica.ac.uk

Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI): www.spri.cam.ac.uk

Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM): www.cpom.org

UK National Committee for Antarctic Research (UKNCAR): www.antarctica.ac.uk/UKNCAR

Scientifi c Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR): www.scar.org

Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP): www.comnap.aq

Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty: www.ats.aq

Published by British Antarctic Survey, 2014 Back cover: Pack ice in Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula 26 Twin Otter aircraft landing at a remote Antarctic fi eld site Crown copyright 2014 BIS/14/979