Our UK Arctic Research Station is located in the international research community of Ny-Ålesund, on Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago.
We operate the station primarily from June to September each year. It provides essential facilities and accommodation for researchers from UK universities, research institutes, and their international collaborators.
Ny-Ålesund International Research Village
Ny-Ålesund is an international research village where cross-disciplinary science and collaboration bring together up to 150 people from a wide range of nationalities and disciplines. Together, we work to advance understanding of global environmental issues.
The Research village at Ny Alesund on Svalbard
Our station is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The town of Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard is operated by Kings Bay AS, a company owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment. Kings Bay AS provides facilities for permanent research activities by 19 institutions from 11 countries.
Science programmes
The international research community at Ny-Ålesund focuses on four main science programmes:
- marine
- atmospheric
- terrestrial ecology
- glaciology
Each year, we support approximately 10–15 research projects involving 40–50 scientists. Ny-Ålesund is also an ideal location for PhD students to gain valuable experience and skills in polar fieldwork.
Laboratory facilities
Our station is equipped with a versatile, multipurpose laboratory that underwent a major upgrade in 2019. Facilities include:
- a large main laboratory
- a chemical lab annex with a recirculating fume hood and biological safety cabinet
- a wet lab with an ultra-pure water system
- a dry lab
We also provide office space and a store of laboratory consumables. Researchers have access to a range of equipment for preparing and analysing samples, including fridges, freezers, balances, and microscopes.
Fieldwork
We support fieldwork across Kongsfjorden using a PolarCirkel workboat. The 5.6 m boat is equipped with a 100 bhp outboard engine and a winch capable of reaching depths of up to 500 m for deploying scientific equipment.
Our teams receive field training and support, including mandatory rifle training as part of polar bear awareness, an essential safety precaution for working in the Arctic.
In this episode of the Iceworld podcast host Nadia Frontier speaks with Iain Rudkin, Arctic Operations Manager, and Henry Burgess, Head of NERC’s Arctic Office. They discuss the dramatic seasonal contrasts from temperate summers to -30°C winters, the challenges of managing a small but impactful research station, and the powerful storytelling opportunities when politicians witness first-hand the open waters where solid ice once stretched across the fjord.