Innovation through partnership
Innovation strengthens society. It helps people and organisations adapt and prosper.
At British Antarctic Survey (BAS), we innovate externally by turning research into practical benefits.
We also innovate internally by improving how we operate. This is especially important as we work toward net zero.
BAS collaborates with partners whose strengths complement ours. The Aurora Innovation Centre enables these collaborations, and turns our polar expertise into real-world solutions.
Innovation strategy
Our innovation strategy underpins everything we do. It helps us take our understanding of the Polar regions and our skills in these harsh environments one step further and ask: “who else can benefit from our knowledge, and how do we best make it available to people and industries?”
Our approach aligns with the priorities of the UK government.
To achieve our goals, our team prioritises activities where we can have the greatest impact.
Areas of focus
We focus on areas where BAS capabilities deliver the most benefit:
- digital technologies for decarbonisation and environmental intelligence
- expertise and intelligence for operations in sea ice
- civil use of drones and autonomous systems, especially in challenging environments
- clean energy for remote environments
We will also build capability and partnerships in:
- environmental intelligence for insurance, reinsurance and finance
- bioscience with potential for new products
- creative uses of imagery, audio and data
Our work supports growth sectors across the UK economy.
Making progress
To strengthen our innovation culture, we’re:
- mapping skills and knowledge assets
- building digital and entrepreneurial capability
- forming partnerships that reflect our values
- securing targeted funding
- capturing evidence of impact
Horizon scanning allows us to identify new technologies. These technologies could transform how we operate and deliver science.
Our people and innovation
Our staff are at the centre of everything we do. From our labs to our polar stations, we know that great science depends on the skills and dedication of our teams.
We encourage everyone to share their ideas, and we provide training needed to bring those ideas to life. Our leadership is committed to listening and evolving, ensuring BAS remains a welcoming, creative, and inclusive place to work.
Building partnerships
We find that having common goals and project delivery is a catalyst for building and strengthening new partnerships. If you’re working on any of our focus areas and have funded opportunities in mind for collaboration, please get in touch with our Innovation team.