Current Role:

BAS Emeritus Fellow and UK Science Coordinator for the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC).  As Emeritus Fellow, David will focus on a variety of scientific collaborations, outreach activities, and mentoring within BAS.

Education and Employment History:

2014 – 2021 (retired): Director of Science for the British Antarctic Survey. In 2017, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to science.

2009-2014: Science Leader for the British Antarctic Survey core programme: IceSheets. This programme employed ~17 full-time researchers, and additional postgraduate students funded by NERC National Capability and grant funding. The programme had research strands in:  Ice-sheet modelling, terrestrial and marine geology/geochemistry, satellite remote sensing, airborne and surface geophysical investigation,  technology development.

2009 – 2013: Coordinator for ice2sea, a large-scale research programme funded by the European Union involving 24 institutions.  The role of ice2sea was to reduce uncertainty in the projections of the contribution of melting ice to sea-level rise.

2008-2012: Co-ordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II (Observations of the Cryosphere

2006: Honorary Professor in the School of the Environment and Society, University of Wales, Swansea

2005-2010: Principal Investigator for British Antarctic Survey Core Programme: Glacial Retreat of Antarctica and Deglaciation of the Earth System (GRADES). GRADES employed between 12 and 20 staff and focus on aspects of past and future deglaciation as drivers of change in the Earth System.

1999-2005: Principal Investigator for BAS Core Programme Global Interactions of Antarctic Ice Sheet (GIANTS). This five-year project employed between 10 and 15 staff, and focused on the interactions between the Antarctic ice sheet and its bed, surrounding oceans, climate and volcanoes.

1986-1990: Remote sensing specialist, Ice and Climate Division, British Antarctic Survey.

1986-1990: Glaciologist, Ice and Climate Division, British Antarctic Survey.

1992-1995: Open University. Ph.D. Thesis title, Structural and climatic controls on Antarctic Ice Shelves. Supervisors, Dr. C.S.M. Doake; Professor D. Sugden, University of Edinburgh.

1984-1985: University of Durham. M.Sc. in Geophysics. (NERC Advanced Studentship)

1981-1984: University of Cambridge (Churchill College). BA (Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics)

Before-1981: Yateley Comprehensive School and Ivybridge School and Community College.

Research interests

Personal research interests include glaciology, climate and sea-level rise, the role of ice in the Earth system and the societal implications of climate change and rising sea levels.

Video

Collaborations

I have collaborated with many scientists from the UK and overseas.

• Pritchard, H., Fretwell, P., Fremand, A., Bodart, J., Kirkham, J., Aitken, A., Bamber, J., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Christianson, K., Conway, H., Corr, H., Cui, X., Damaske, D., Damn, V., … Zirizzotti, A. (2024). BEDMAP3 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – gridding products (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/2d0e4791-8e20-46a3-80e4-f5f6716025d2

• Lythe, M., Vaughan, D., & BEDMAP 1 Consortia (2023). BEDMAP1 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – gridding products (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/908bb17f-467c-42bf-ae00-f03bb0feea23

• Fretwell, P., Pritchard, H., Fremand, A., Bodart, J., Aitken, A., Bamber, J., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Christianson, K., Conway, H., Corr, H., Cui, X., Damaske, D., Damn, V., Drews, R., … Zirizzotti, A. (2022). BEDMAP3 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised shapefiles and geopackages (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/a72a50c6-a829-4e12-9f9a-5a683a1acc4a

• Fremand, A., Fretwell, P., Bodart, J., Pritchard, H., Aitken, A., Bamber, J., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Christianson, K., Conway, H., Corr, H., Cui, X., Damaske, D., Damn, V., Drews, R., … Zirizzotti, A. (2022). BEDMAP3 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised data points (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/91523ff9-d621-46b3-87f7-ffb6efcd1847

• Fretwell, P., Pritchard, H., Vaughan, D., Bamber, J., Barrand, N., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Callens, D., Conway, H., Cook, A., Corr, H., Damaske, D., Damn, V., Ferraccioli, F., Forsberg, R., … Bodart, J. (2022). BEDMAP2 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised shapefiles and geopackages (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/0f90d926-99ce-43c9-b536-0c7791d1728b

• Fretwell, P., Fremand, A., Bodart, J., Pritchard, H., Vaughan, D., Bamber, J., Barrand, N., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Callens, D., Conway, H., Cook, A., Corr, H., Damaske, D., Damn, V., … Zirizzotti, A. (2022). BEDMAP2 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised data points (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/2fd95199-365e-4da1-ae26-3b6d48b3e6ac

• Fretwell, P., Pritchard, H., Vaughan, D., Bamber, J., Barrand, N., Bell, R., Bianchi, C., Bingham, R., Blankenship, D., Casassa, G., Catania, G., Callens, D., Conway, H., Cook, A., Corr, H., Damaske, D., Damn, V., Ferraccioli, F., Forsberg, R., … Zirizzotti, A. (2022). BEDMAP2 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – gridding products (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/fa5d606c-dc95-47ee-9016-7a82e446f2f2

• Lythe, M., Vaughan, D., BEDMAP 1, c., Fremand, A., & Bodart, J. (2022). BEDMAP1 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised shapefiles and geopackages (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/925ac4ec-2a9d-461a-bfaa-6314eb0888c8

• Lythe, M., Vaughan, D., BEDMAP 1, c., Fremand, A., & Bodart, J. (2022). BEDMAP1 – Ice thickness, bed and surface elevation for Antarctica – standardised data points (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f64815ec-4077-4432-9f55-0ce230f46029

• Corr, H., Ferraccioli, F., & Vaughan, D. (2021). Processed airborne radio-echo sounding data from the BBAS survey covering the Pine Island Glacier basin, West Antarctica (2004/2005) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/db8bdbad-6893-4a77-9d12-a9bcb7325b70

• Bodart, J., Bingham, R., Ashmore, D., Karlsson, N., Hein, A., & Vaughan, D. (2021). Dated radar stratigraphy of the Pine Island Glacier catchment (West Antarctica) derived from BBAS-PASIN (2004-05) and OIB-MCoRDS2 (2016/2018) surveys (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/f2de31af-9f83-44f8-9584-f0190a2cc3eb

• Napoleoni, F., Jamieson, S., Ross, N., Bentley, M., Rivera, A., Smith, A., Siegert, M., Paxman, G., Gacitúa, G., Uribe, J., Zamora, R., Brisbourne, A., & Vaughan, D. (2020). Subglacial lakes and hydrology across the Ellsworth Subglacial Highlands, West Antarctica, 1977-2017 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/72f46ad0-063d-49a7-ba89-45edc5d9aac7

• Ferraccioli, F., Bamber, J., Joughin, I., Shepherd, T., Rippin, D., Siegert, M., & Vaughan, D. (2020). Processed line aeromagnetic data over Coats Land, including the region of three tributaries of Slessor Glacier, East Antarctica (2001/02 season) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/8ac60c79-d768-4ee1-969f-cce671824085

• Corr, H., & Vaughan, D. (2020). Processed ice shelf base picks from airborne radar depth sounding across the Pine Island Glacier Ice Shelf (2010-2011) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/e88f651c-3389-4d99-8333-07872dceab57

• Rippin, D., Bamber, J., Siegert, M., Vaughan, D., & Corr, H. (2020). Processed bed elevation picks from airborne radar depth sounding across the region of three tributaries of Slessor Glacier, Coats Land, East Antarctica (2001/02 season) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/c5175014-a056-4799-a8c0-65b5fc433743

• Corr, H., Ferraccioli, F., & Vaughan, D. (2020). Processed bed elevation picks from airborne radar depth sounding across the Pine Island Glacier basin (2004/05 season) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/3adb739a-9eda-434d-9883-03ab092cabae

• Hodgson, D., Jordan, T., de Rydt, J., Fretwell, P., Seddon, S., Becker, D., Hogan, K., Smith, A., & Vaughan, D. (2019). Gravity enhanced bathymetric model beneath the Brunt Ice Shelf and Stancomb-Wills Glacier Tongue (Version 1) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/40bcedbe-fea0-4b41-b2f7-bf2d8494b5ad

• Bougamont, M. (2018). Ice flow model output for Pine Island Glacier (West Antarctica), from numerical inversions of ice surface velocities observed in 1996 and 2014 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/3cf26ab6-7f47-4868-a87d-c62a2eefea1f

1. Polar Zero: climate science-art collaboration

   The Polar Zero experience at Glasgow Science Centre is a fusion of science and art made for COP26 climate summit

   Read more of: Polar Zero: climate science-art collaboration

   

2. Towards Net Zero Carbon

   Our strategy and work streams to meet Net Zero goals

   Read more of: Towards Net Zero Carbon

   

3. International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration

   The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration unites global scientists to study Antarctica’s most vulnerable glacier, predict sea-level rise, and inform climate action worldwide.

   Read more of: International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration

   

4. Testing space flight missions at Halley

   Using Antarctica as a ‘platform’ for simulating certain aspects of a manned spaceflight mission, this project will investigate how living in an isolated community during 24-hour winter darkness affects the health of Halley staff and their and ability to perform specific problem-solving functions.

   Read more of: Testing space flight missions at Halley

   

5. Halley Research Station relocation

   In 2017 Antarctica’s first re-locatable research station was moved successfully 23 km inland to avoid the path of large cracks in the ice

   Read more of: Halley Research Station relocation

   

6. iSTAR-C Dynamical control on the response of Pine Island Glacier

   iStar-C – strives to understand the dynamical control and response to change of Pine Island Glacier

   Read more of: iSTAR-C Dynamical control on the response of Pine Island Glacier

   

7. EU-PolarNet

   A strategic framework to connect science and society

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1. Supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in science

   BLOG. BAS Director of Science, Professor David Vaughan describes his ambition for more diversity in science.

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1. Join British Antarctic Survey at Climate Exp0 for COP26

   Online, free and open to all, Climate Exp0 is the first virtual conference from the COP26 Universities Network and the Italian University Network for Sustainable Development (RUS). We are pleased […]

   Read more of: Join British Antarctic Survey at Climate Exp0 for COP26

   

2. Plans for International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration in response to COVID-19

   The joint US/UK five-year programme to study the future contribution of Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica to global sea-level rise – the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) – announces news […]

   Read more of: Plans for International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration in response to COVID-19

   

3. British Antarctic Survey season plan for 2020-21

   Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic  CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reveals more detail about its Antarctic season operational plan for the 2020-21 season. COVID-19 continues to present BAS with a […]

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4. Update: British Antarctic Survey response to COVID-19 and planning for next season

   CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) continues to plan its operational support to the UK and international polar research community during global challenges posed by COVID-19. Halley and Signy Research Stations […]

   Read more of: Update: British Antarctic Survey response to COVID-19 and planning for next season

   

5. Scientists head to Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier

   Nearly 100 scientists and support staff depart this week (13 November 2019) for the most ambitious mission to date for Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. In the second year of […]

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6. Engineers automate science from remote Antarctic station

   A remote and unoccupied research station in Antarctica has, for the first time, collected important scientific measurements of climate, ozone and space weather thanks to ground-breaking technology developed by British […]

   Read more of: Engineers automate science from remote Antarctic station

   

7. Essential cargo delivered for science on Thwaites Glacier

   The British Antractic Survey’s vessel RRS Ernest Shackleton teamed up with the Royal Navy survey ship HMS Protector to help scientists begin a five-year mission  to understand how West Antarctica […]

   Read more of: Essential cargo delivered for science on Thwaites Glacier

   

8. Ambitious UK-U.S. Antarctic research mission begins

   A team of UK and U.S. polar scientists are about to embark on one of the largest joint Antarctic missions for more than 70 years. It’s the first field season […]

   Read more of: Ambitious UK-U.S. Antarctic research mission begins

   

9. Funding success for British Antarctic Survey

   New funding stream for sustainable observation and unique BAS British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientific capabilities

   Read more of: Funding success for British Antarctic Survey

   

10. BAS wins National Capability Funding

    The British Antarctic Survey has been awarded National Capability funds for polar science which will strengthen UK national security, resilience, economic growth and societal benefit

    Read more of: BAS wins National Capability Funding

    

11. Joint UK-U.S. Antarctic programme to study future sea level rise

    A new UK-U.S. Antarctic research programme to improve the prediction of future sea-level rise is launched this week (Monday 30 April 2018) at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Cambridge. The £20 […]

    Read more of: Joint UK-U.S. Antarctic programme to study future sea level rise

    

12. Maps reveal landscape beneath Antarctica’s weak underbelly

    A UK team of researchers has produced high-resolution maps of the bed beneath a major glacier in West Antarctica, which will help them predict future sea-level rise from this region. […]

    Read more of: Maps reveal landscape beneath Antarctica’s weak underbelly

    

13. New Antarctic heat map reveals sub-ice hotspots

    An international team of scientists, led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has produced a new map showing how much heat from the Earth’s interior is reaching the base of the […]

    Read more of: New Antarctic heat map reveals sub-ice hotspots

    

14. BAS scientists at 2017 COP23 climate event in Bonn

    This week (10-11 November) leading scientists and experts from EU-funded research programmes engage with political leaders from the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic to examine the economic and social consequences […]

    Read more of: BAS scientists at 2017 COP23 climate event in Bonn

    

15. Huge Antarctic iceberg finally breaks free

    After months of ‘hanging by a thread’ a vast iceberg the size of Norfolk has finally broken off Antarctica’s Larsen C Ice Shelf.  Around 30 metres of this 190m thick […]

    Read more of: Huge Antarctic iceberg finally breaks free

    

16. Expedition to uncover the ‘lost’ meteorites of Antarctica

    Scientists from University of Manchester are preparing for the first ever UK-led meteorite hunting expedition to Antarctica, where they will seek out the ‘lost’ meteorites of the icy continent, which […]

    Read more of: Expedition to uncover the ‘lost’ meteorites of Antarctica

    

17. Giant iceberg set to calve from Larsen C Ice Shelf

    A huge iceberg, roughly the size of Norfolk, looks set to break away from the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula.  Larsen C is more than twice the size […]

    Read more of: Giant iceberg set to calve from Larsen C Ice Shelf

    

18. 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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19. New study shows when Pine Island Glacier retreat began

    New study reveals when West Antarctica’s largest glacier started retreating Reporting this week (Wednesday 23 November) in the journal Nature an international team led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) explains […]

    Read more of: New study shows when Pine Island Glacier retreat began

    

20. Polar experts offer expertise to the developing world

    ODA funds – expertise to address major challenges facing the developing world

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21. NEWS STORY: Melting rates accelerate

    New research shows volume loss from Antarctic ice shelves is accelerating New research published today in the journal Science Express (Thursday 26 March) describes how the ice shelves around Antarctica […]

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22. PRESS RELEASE: Halley and space flight

    Research for human space flight

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23. NEWS STORY: First phase of glacier mission ends

    First leg of Antarctic iSTAR mission accomplished A team of British scientists has returned from a gruelling 1500km journey across the ice of West Antarctica after successfully completing the first […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: First phase of glacier mission ends

    

24. NEWS STORY: IPCC climate report published today

    The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is published today. The report entitled Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, presents a synthesis of […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: IPCC climate report published today

    

25. PRESS RELEASE: Assessing potential sea level rise

    New Antarctic geological timeline aids future sea-level predictions Radiocarbon dates of tiny fossilised marine animals found in Antarctica’s seabed sediments offer new clues about the recent rapid ice loss from […]

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26. PRESS RELEASE: Secrets of hidden rift valley

    Hidden rift valley discovered beneath West Antarctica reveals new insight into accelerating ice loss Scientists have discovered a one mile deep rift valley hidden beneath the ice in West Antarctica, […]

    Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Secrets of hidden rift valley

    

27. NEWS STORY: Assessing potential sea level rise

    New studies improve scientists’ understanding of the potential contribution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to global sea level rise Three peer-reviewed papers in Nature and Nature Geoscience published in recent […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: Assessing potential sea level rise

    

28. ice2sea: Providing the IPCC with sea-level rise projections

    In the first of a two-part interview published on SciencePoles, the scientific website of the International Polar Foundation, British Antarctic Survey glaciologist Professor David Vaughan talks about the ice2sea project, […]

    Read more of: ice2sea: Providing the IPCC with sea-level rise projections

    

29. David Vaughan joins ‘Leaders Preserving Our Future’ conference panel

    Professor David Vaughan of the British Antarctic Survey joins a panel of renowned scientists and environmentalists in London this week (3 November). He will be speaking at a conference for […]

    Read more of: David Vaughan joins ‘Leaders Preserving Our Future’ conference panel

    

30. First open meeting for EC-funded sea-level rise project

    The open first meeting of the EC Framework 7-funded research programme ice2sea takes place in Krakow, Poland on the 17th & 18th March.  A five-year project, involving scientists from 24 […]

    Read more of: First open meeting for EC-funded sea-level rise project

    

31. PRESS RELEASE: Ice thinning captured by satellites

    Lasers from space show thinning of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets The most comprehensive picture of the rapidly thinning glaciers along the coastline of both the Antarctic and Greenland ice […]

    Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Ice thinning captured by satellites

    

32. Wilkins ice bridge snaps

    Wilkins ice bridge snaps Satellite pictures, from the European Space Agency (ESA), revealed that the 40-km (25 mile) long strip of floating ice believed to pin the Wilkins Ice Shelf […]

    Read more of: Wilkins ice bridge snaps

    

33. Polar Meltdown at Summer Science Exhibition

    British Antarctic Survey is taking part in the prestigious Summer Science Exhibition 2007 held at the Royal Society in London next week. Prof David Vaughan, Dr Tim Moffat and a […]

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34. Widespread acceleration of tidewater glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula

    Hundreds of glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula are flowing faster, further adding to sea-level rise. Climate warming, that is already causing Antarctic Peninsula increased summer snow melt and ice shelf […]

    Read more of: Widespread acceleration of tidewater glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula

    

In July, 2021 , Prof. David Vaughan retired as BAS Director of Science, he maintains his involvement with the organisation as a BAS Emeritus Fellow and continues to be active in science.

In 2017 Professor David Vaughan was awarded an OBE, for services to glaciology.

Professor Vaughan is director of science at the British Antarctic Survey and the foremost UK expert on understanding the response of ice sheets in the polar regions to climate change. He served as co-ordinating lead author in two rounds of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment reports and was responsible for identifying the policy-relevant issues and negotiating the acceptance of key findings by high-level policymakers.

In 2003, Professor Vaughan was awarded the Polar Medal by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of his outstanding work on recent changes in the Antarctic ice sheet.