Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are essential for the creative, collaborative research we need to understand our world and tackle the challenges we face. At British Antarctic Survey (BAS), we are committed to building a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
The changing face of BAS
BAS looks very different today compared with 60 years ago. Then, almost all UK polar science was done by white men. Major change came in the 1980s when women began working on polar research vessels and in Antarctic research stations.
Today, women make up more than one-third of our workforce — from station leaders and scientists to pilots and engineers. But we know we don’t yet reflect the full diversity of UK society. A race impact survey by the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) found that only 3% of staff in UK polar science come from an ethnic minority background and 1.8% have a disability, compared with 16% and 19% in UK society.
We are committed to changing this — at BAS and across the wider polar science community.
Why EDI matters
BAS works in some of the world’s most remote and hostile environments to study humanity’s greatest threats and most complex problems. Doing this safely and well takes a diversity of thought, ideas and experience. Everyone at BAS — from support staff and engineers to scientists and ship crews — plays a vital role in our science and in building an inclusive workplace.
Our EDI framework
EDI is a core part of our BAS Strategy, supported by a three-year action plan to drive change in culture, leadership and ways of working.
- We have an active EDI Network with members from across BAS, from our Executive Team to PhD students. EDI Champions are embedded throughout the organisation, and our Staff Forum leads on the broader EDI agenda.
- Our Safety Together initiative, launched in 2023, broadens the idea of safety beyond physical wellbeing to include mental and social health. It promotes a respectful workplace, zero tolerance for bullying, harassment and discrimination, and provides mental health resources for all staff.
- We also run a work experience scheme that opens doors for people from a range of backgrounds. You can read about its impact in our 2025 Work Experience report.
- We share news and thinking on EDI through our blog series, including recent posts on neurodiversity, mental health and wellbeing, and gender equity — including Breaking the ‘Ice Ceiling’ for Gender Equality.
External partnerships and benchmarking
We work with partners to increase representation of under-represented groups in polar science.
- BAS has been a member of the Athena Swan Charter since 2014 and holds a Silver Award for gender equality. You can read our Athena Swan application and action plan here.
- We are part of DiPSI, which works to promote polar science opportunities to women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community and people with a disability.
- As a member of Disability Confident, we guarantee an interview to the disabled candidates who best meet the essential requirements for any role.
- We are a member of Onvero, the UK’s leading employer network for equality and inclusion.
Get in touch
We welcome your feedback — on what we are doing well, what we could do better, and how we can work together to build a more inclusive polar science community.
Contact us at edi@bas.ac.uk