Polar Fieldwork Opportunities

Transcription

1 Polar Fieldwork Opportunities Polar Fieldwork Opportunities Working with the British Antarctic Survey Prof. David Dominic G Vaughan A Hodgson BAS Director of Science

2 Polar Fieldwork Opportunities Working with the British Antarctic Survey Introduction to research in the polar regions Introduction to British Antarctic Survey Polar science - my experience Supporting UK polar science Opportunities for NERC grant funded polar science Summary Questions

3 Research in the polar regions - Antarctica UK Government invests in polar research and infrastructure Critical for informing UK Government policy objectives for climate change, energy security, global food security, innovation and economic growth BAS is the UK national Antarctic operator, funded by NERC to support UK polar science community

4 About British Antarctic Survey NERC-owned Research Centre Delivering research at both poles Manages UK polar infrastructure Provides operational support to UK polar science community BAS core- and grant-funding from NERC is supplemented by EU and other grants Active programme of national and international science collaborations

5 BAS Science Polar Science for Planet Earth Six interdisciplinary science themes Climate Chemistry and past climate Ecosystems Environmental change and evolution Ice sheets Polar Oceans

6 Collaborative science programmes NERC and EU-funded programmes NERC istar programme NERC Arctic Research Programme EU-funded programmes (eg ice2sea, ICE- ARC) International use of UK facilities >30 collaborations with HEIs

7 Polar science my experience Improving estimates of ice loss from Antarctica using records of relative sea level change

8 Polar science my experience Past ice sheet thickness and extent

9 Polar science my experience

10 Polar science my experience

11 Polar science my experience

12 Supporting UK polar science 5 Antarctic research stations 1 Arctic research station Deep-field facilities 2 polar ships 5 polar aircraft Expert polar support teams Integrated programme planning

13 UK science facilities Antarctica Rothera Halley Signy summer only Bird Island South Georgia King Edward Point - Govt of South Georgia Ships - research cruises Airborne campaigns Field season - October to April

14 Rothera Research Station, Antarctic Peninsula Science operates all year 100 people in summer 20 people in winter Versatile science labs Boating and diving programme Support for deep field research Aircraft operations hub Ship wharf

15 Halley Research Station, Brunt Ice Shelf Science operates all year 52 people in summer 13 people in winter UK s most southerly station Clean air; space weather, atmospheric and climate studies International collaboration with NASA Deep field support

16 Signy South Orkney Islands Summer only science Supports 8 people on station Biological research labs Long term ecosystem studies inform international conservation policy

17 Bird Island South Georgia Science operates year-round Up to 12 people in summer 4 people in winter Long-term conservation biology programme shapes UK govt and international policy Ecosystem and population dynamics birds and seals

18 King Edward Point South Georgia Science operates all year Up to 12 people Commissioned research for Govt of South Georgia Long-term conservation biology programme shapes UK govt and international policy for sustainable fishing

19 UK science facilities - The Arctic NERC Ny Ålesund station Arctic fieldwork campaigns Ship research cruises Airborne campaigns

20 Arctic Ny Ålesund Station Up to 150 people in Summer Leased by NERC operated by BAS Multi-national station Highly collaborative environment Ideal for PhD students to gain polar skills

21 Image: Dan Satterfield Photos of NEEM? Large-scale Arctic field campaigns

22 Polar science platforms - aircraft Twin Otter aircraft configured to carry instrumentation including High-resolution cameras Sea-ice/surface mapping Magnetometer Cloud and aerosol measurements Comprehensive meteorological instrumentation DASH 7 with long-range fuel tanks ideal for 4300 km surveys

23 Polar science platforms - ships NOC Autosub 2

24 Polar fieldwork support Field party deployment to Antarctic Peninsula and deeper into the continent Field party deployment to Arctic locations Typical field parties range from 2 to10 people for between 1 and 10+ weeks Single location fieldwork or over ice-travel by skidoo Pre-deployment and on-location safety training are essential Field assistants to ensure safety of science teams

25 Polar fieldwork ice traverse Tractor train to support large deepfield campaigns NERC istar programme Capacity - 40 tonnes science equipment 6-weeks, 1500 km over ice Available to community when istar ends

26 UK-based expertise Innovative engineering development and support Novel data platforms built and deployed in polar regions Build and test facilities in Cambridge Maintenance of deep-field instruments

27 Get involved! NERC grants and field support for polar science Apply for NERC standard, large-scale grants and fellowships As a member of a NERC thematic /research programmes Form partnerships and collaborations with BAS science teams Collaborative Gearing Scheme Apply for EU or other grants

28 Get involved! NERC grants and field support for polar science Application process Check your eligibility to meet NERC or BAS requirements Submit a preliminary request for polar logistics at least 3 months before grant deadline Submit a funding proposal via Je-S Talk to us about your requirements for Antarctic and Arctic logistics support Work with us to plan your Antarctic and Arctic fieldwork if you are already in receipt of funding /apfp

29 Summary Working in the polar regions advances scientific knowledge and understanding that is relevant to government and society Polar research is rewarding and exciting There are many different scientific opportunities available Advance planning is essential to take your ideas to reality BAS science and support teams are keen to help you All the information you need is on the website /apfp

30 Questions? /apfp

31 Polar science platforms - ships New UK Polar Research Ship - from 2019

32 Antarctica and the Arctic