BAS Cambridge

The British Antarctic Survey organises its activities from its UK headquarters on the outskirts of the city of Cambridge. The original building, constructed in 1975, has been extended twice since then. It now provides offices, laboratories and workshops to support all the scientific and logistic activities in the Antarctic.

Briitsh Antarctic Survey Cambridge office

• Travel to BAS Cambridge

Specialised facilities for the scientific staff include:

• Laboratories for the physical and chemical analyses of biological, geological and ice specimens
• Molecular biology facilities
• A scanning electron microscope
• Sample preparation and controlled environment rooms (including a cold aquarium and extensive freezer storage) library
• Archives
• Computing facilities
• Mapping facilities

1. Aquarium

   Discover the UK’s only cold water research aquarium

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2. Aurora Innovation Centre

   The Aurora Innovation Centre offers a space and support services for interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle environmental challenges and increase real-world benefit of polar research.

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3. Biology laboratories

   Biological researchers have access to a suite of labs

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4. Controlled Environment Facility (CEF)

   An advanced research centre dedicated to studying polar ecosystems

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5. Geology laboratories

   Since its beginnings in 1945, BAS has been collecting and studying Antarctic rocks and fossils.

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6. Ice core aquisition and analysis

   UK national facility and capability

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7. Micro-Molecular laboratories

   Analysing the diversity and responses of micro-organisms

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8. Vehicle and mechanical engineering workshop

   Discover how our vehicle fleet is prepared for polar service

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1. Data as Art: POLAR AESTHETICS

   British Antarctic Survey has an ongoing science & art collaboration with Royal College of Art PhD candidate Wayne Binitie. Wayne has visited BAS a number of times to develop his […]

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2. Cambridge HQ Decarbonisation

   We are working on a raft of measures to reduce our carbon emissions at our Cambridge Headquarters, including installation of solar panels on the car park and roofs of buildings, and adding insulation to our Logistics building.

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3. Find data

   Explore the UK Polar Data Centre metadata catalogue. Please use the system to search for polar datasets held by the UK Polar Data Centre

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4. Machine Learning for Sea Ice Forecasting

   IceNet is a deep learning system that forecasts Arctic sea ice. The system is trained on climate simulations and observational data. It outperforms state-of-the-art dynamical models, especially for extreme sea ice events.

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5. PRESCIENT

   PRESCIENT supports long-term, strategically important measurements and capabilities for the wider science community.

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6. SO-AntEco Biodiversity

   In this collaboration with the Natural History Museum (NHM) and the University of Liverpool, we have developed novel methods for using existing data to contribute to marine conservation and fisheries […]

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7. South Georgia seabirds from space

   This project tests whether satellite imagery can be used to monitor breeding seabirds across the island group.

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8. The evolution and ecology of Antarctic sea floor communities

   Antarctic seafloor ecosystems are both unique and fragile. Studying their past and present gives us valuable insights into how climate change may reshape them.

   Read more of: The evolution and ecology of Antarctic sea floor communities

   

9. Towards Net Zero Carbon

   Our strategy and work streams to meet Net Zero goals

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10. Transformation

    Realising the benefits of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme.

    Read more of: Transformation

    

11. British Antarctic Oral History Project

    Capturing the reminiscences and memories of those involved in British polar science

    Read more of: British Antarctic Oral History Project

    

1. Roadmap to net zero

   Here at British Antarctic Survey, we recently opened our doors to over 40 companies in science, technology, and green innovation to help us make the next steps in reaching net […]

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2. Drilling for success

   In January 2019 a science and engineering team drilled over two kilometres through the ice sheet in West Antarctica using hot water.  It was the first time they had done this […]

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3. Blog: The artistry of Antarctic logistics

   Earth’s Final Frontier – the title given to the frozen continent by journalists and academics alike, and with good reason. Antarctica stands resolute and alone, separated from mainland South America […]

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4. Blog: A female engineer’s life at BAS

   On National Women in Engineering Day, BAS energy engineer Parthena Exizidou explains what her job entails and why she loves engineering.

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5. SCIENCE IN THE LAB: From the Polar Plateau to Cambridge

   A new blog from Polar Atmospheric Ice Chemist Dr Holly Winton,  who is part of the ISOL-ice research project, explaining the process from fieldwork on the Polar Plateau to laboratory work […]

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6. ANTARCTIC BLOG: preparation is everything

   As the days count down towards departure the dreams about forgetting my passport at the airport become more frequent. My office in Cambridge is a long way from the Antarctic […]

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1. Labs in Antarctica and Cambridge Receive Sustainability Award

   Scientific labs at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in their Cambridge headquarters and at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica have achieved a sustainability award from the Laboratory Sustainability Efficiency Assessment (LEAF) […]

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2. Diversity in Polar Science – Race Impact survey report

   Findings from a polar science Race Impact Survey are reported this week (4 March) by the Diversity in Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI). The Survey, carried out during October 2020, generated […]

   Read more of: Diversity in Polar Science – Race Impact survey report

   

3. British Antarctic Survey response to COVID-19

   British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Our organisation continues to function well in spite of most of our staff working from home. Science and support teams who have completed summer fieldwork are currently being repatriated to UK.

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4. Professor David Walton

   Professor David Walton, Emeritus Fellow.

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5. British Antarctic Survey archives awarded United Nations recognition

   A collection of reports and photos from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), documenting the UK’s leading role in the modern era of Antarctic exploration, is being inscribed onto UNESCO’s UK […]

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6. Fungi respire millennium-old carbon from Antarctic soil

   Fungi in Antarctic soils release carbon that is more than a thousand years old, a team led by scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has found. This discovery sheds light on how carbon is released into the atmosphere as polar regions warm.

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7. Honorary appointment for BAS Director

   Professor Dame Jane Francis is appointed Chancellor at University of Leeds

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8. Double New Year Honours for British Antarctic Survey Directors

   Two leading polar scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have received awards in the 2017 New Year Honours list from Her Majesty the Queen. BAS Director, Professor Jane Francis, […]

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9. New study puts shells under spotlight

   A new study on how molluscs build their shells in the sub-zero waters of Antarctica is published today (Friday 11 November) in the journal Scientific Reports. A team of European […]

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10. Ancient ice inspires Royal College of Art glass artist

    Data as art captivates a London audience

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11. Protecting the Antarctic Environment: 25 years on

    Celebrating 25 years of environmental protection in Antarctica

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12. Antarctica’s hidden world revealed at New Scientist Live

    Research beneath Antarctica’s vast ice sheets has revealed mountain ranges the size of the Alps, lakes bigger than Windermere, rivers, streams and ancient volcanoes. But why should we care? Professor […]

    Read more of: Antarctica’s hidden world revealed at New Scientist Live

    

13. British Antarctic Survey seeks construction partner

    Opportunity to partner with BAS to deliver a construction programme to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities.

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14. On the ice opportunity for PhD students and Early Career Researchers

    16 PhD students and Early Career Researchers have a unique opportunity to gain practical skills for working safely and effectively in the polar regions.

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15. NEWS STORY: Antarctic memories online

    The British Antarctic Oral History Project is the result of a collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), BAS Club, UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), and Scott Polar Research Institute […]

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16. NEWS STORY: Tender to construct Aurora Cambridge

    Tender for the construction and fit of a new Innovation Centre at British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

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17. NEWS STORY: New website

    Welcome to our new website! We’ve given our website a makeover so that you can find everything you need or want to know about polar science and operations. There are […]

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18. NEWS STORY: NERC placement offered

    NERC Research Experience Placement 2015 A Research Experience Placement supported by EnvEast DTP and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is available at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) this […]

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19. NEWS STORY: 2nd award for BAS manager

    Long serving BAS manager awarded second honour Mike Pinnock, one of the British Antarctic Survey’s longest serving managers, has been awarded a Second Clasp by HM The Queen. The Second […]

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20. PRESS RELEASE: Sea urchins adapt

    Sea urchins from Antarctica show adaptation to ocean acidification A study of sea urchins from the Antarctic Peninsula has revealed an ability to adapt to changing conditions such as rising […]

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21. NEWS STORY: Dick Laws

    Tribute to former Director of British Antarctic Survey It is with great sadness the British Antarctic Survey reports that Dick Laws died on Monday 6 October 2014 aged 88. He […]

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22. NEWS STORY: BAS in university collaboration

    Stronger together: Addressing global issues through thriving collaboration between University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey The challenges our planet is faced with require innovative approaches. To increase the impact […]

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23. NEWS STORY: TELLUS launches its data

    The Tellus South West survey project proudly launches its new maps and data on the 20th May at the Holiday Inn, Plymouth. The project has mapped the soils, rocks, landscape […]

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24. NEWS STORY: Pass the panda for Earth Hour

    BAS staff support WWF’s Earth Hour with cuddly friend! This Saturday, 29 March, is WWF’s Earth Hour. Earth Hour aims to focus the world’s attention on the planet and the […]

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25. NEWS STORY: New Year’s Honour

    New Year’s Honour for BAS Head of Operations John Hall, Head of Operations and Logistics (OPAL) at BAS, was among those named in the New Year’s Honours List.  He was […]

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26. NEWS STORY: Design opportunity

    Architectural design opportunity – British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has advertised an opportunity to design and deliver a new Innovation Centre at its Cambridge offices.  The commission […]

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27. NEWS STORY: Scientists contribute to oral history

    Voices of Science: a new British Library oral history archive A major oral history project to gather the life stories of British scientists has culminated in the launch of a […]

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28. NEWS STORY: Understanding food webs

    Research on the dynamics of food webs The dynamics of food webs, networks of who-eats-whom interactions, are being highlighted in the August report of International Innovation, an open access European […]

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29. NEWS STORY: Evaluation shows BAS in good light

    Independent evaluation of British Antarctic Survey research excellence The outcome of an independent evaluation of the research excellence within NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) Research Centres is published today. The […]

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30. PRESS RELEASE: Antarctic crabs could be native

    A new study has cast doubt on the claim that crabs may have disappeared from Antarctica only to return due to warming seas. The theory surfaced two years ago following […]

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31. NEWS STORY: BAS ranked highly by Nature

    BAS rated highly in research institution rankings NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) both feature among the world’s top 100 Earth and environmental science institutions, according […]

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32. NEWS STORY: Children film at BAS

    Kids present online TV show about British Antarctic Survey School students Dominic and Hanaa visit British Antarctic Survey to find out about climate change – watch their interview with meteorologist […]

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33. NEWS STORY: Tributes to ozone hole expert

    It is with great sadness the British Antarctic Survey reports that Joe Farman died on Saturday 11 May 2013. He was 82. Joseph Charles Farman CBE, together with colleagues Brian […]

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34. NEWS STORY: BAS’ new Director appointed

    Professor Jane Francis has been appointed as the new Director of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council, Duncan Wingham said, “I am delighted […]

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35. NEWS STORY: Bedmap opens up Antarctica

    Bedmap2 gives scientists a more detailed view of Antarctica”s landmass Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey have been working with a host of international collaborators to present the most detailed […]

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36. NEWS STORY: New post for oceans expert

    Professor Michael Meredith joins the Scottish Association for Marine Science Eminent Antarctic oceanographer, Professor Michael Meredith this week joined the staff at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) on […]

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37. NEWS STORY: Awards to BAS staff

    Polar medals awarded to three BAS staff Three British Antarctic Survey staff have been honoured with the Polar Medal. The Queen approved the awards for outstanding achievement and service to […]

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38. NEWS STORY: Celebrating Antarctica Day

    Antarctica Day was inaugurated in 2010 to celebrate the 1st December 1959 signature of the Antarctic Treaty, which was adopted “with the interests of science and the progress of all […]

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39. NEWS STORY: Consultation on merger proposal

    NERC consultation on proposal to merge BAS and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is undertaking a consultation exercise on a proposal to merge two of […]

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40. NEWS STORY: BAS involved in NASA mission

    British Antarctic Survey scientists involved in NASA ‘space weather’ mission WASHINGTON — NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), the first twin-spacecraft mission designed to explore the Earth’s radiation belts, launched […]

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41. NEWS STORY: HMS Protector open to public

    Royal Navy’s Antarctic patrol vessel, HMS Protector, pays a four-day visit to Ipswich The Royal Navy’s 5000 tonne Antarctic patrol vessel will sail into Ipswich on Friday (August 10) for […]

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42. NEWS STORY: Antarctic conservation issues

    Challenges facing the future of Antarctica A century ago, Antarctica was one of Earth’s last frontiers, but now the continent is under threat from human activity. An international team of […]

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43. NEWS STORY: Merger plans for centres

    Governing body considers combined management of polar and marine science The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is considering a merger of the scientific and logistics management of marine and polar […]

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44. Raising the flag to celebrate the return of the sun

    Staff at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station recently raised the Union flag to mark the first sighting of the sun again after several weeks of continual darkness. The sun […]

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