13 August, 2014

In April 2014, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) brought together scientists and policy-makers from 22 countries to agree future Antarctic research priorities. Through discussions, debate and voting, the international Antarctic community, for the first time, formulated a collective vision.

The SCAR Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan identified the 80 most pressing scientific questions. A full report will be published in August.

Summarising the scientific themes, the British Antarctic Survey has helped produce ‘Polar research: Six priorities for Antarctic science’. This Nature comment piece outlines six priorities for Antarctic science and the steps that researchers and governments must take to achieve them.

Leonie Island and Mount Liotard, Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR)