As Science Leader and Head of the AI Lab at the British Antarctic Survey and Co-Director of the Natural Environment, Turing Research and Innovation Cluster in Digital Twins (TRIC-DT) at The Alan Turing Institute, I lead a multidisciplinary team focused on pioneering the application of artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies to environmental forecasting and decision-making. Our work is especially relevant in data-sparse environments like the polar regions, where we develop innovative solutions to integrate diverse data sources, improve predictive modelling, and enhance our understanding of a rapidly changing planet.

Our projects are as diverse as the ecosystems we study. We’re merging data from satellites and ground sensors to create a real-time pulse of our planet, developing new machine learning algorithms to forecast our weather, and developing AI-powered tools to track wildlife populations and monitor environmental change. I’m particularly excited about our Antarctic Digital Twin programme, which aims to provide near-instantaneous insights for informed decision-making in this crucial region.

My journey has been fuelled by incredible collaborations, partnerships, and a dash of recognition along the way. Our research has been featured in Nature Communications, Nvidia, Wired Magazine and our group was acknowledged as an “AI for Good” exemplar by the UK government. But the most rewarding moments are witnessing the impact of our work – informing policies, shaping sustainable practices, and ultimately, giving our planet a voice through the power of AI.

There’s still so much to explore, and I’m excited to continue this journey, one digital twin at a time. If you share my passion for protecting our planet, let’s connect! I’m always eager to collaborate, share knowledge, and inspire others to join the fight for a sustainable future.

My website | Team | Publications

Full publication list available here

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

• Bowler, E., Byrne, J., Leclerc, L., Roberto-Charron, A., Rogers, M., Cavanagh, R., Harasimo, J., Lancaster, M., Chan, R., Strickson, O., Wilkinson, J., Downie, R., Hosking, J., & Andersson, T. (2025). Pan-Arctic 93-day sea ice concentration forecasts from the IceNet model and mappings between sea ice concentration and Dolphin and Union caribou sea ice crossing-start times (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8738b3cb-52c7-4b36-aa6d-6e15c0b46ba4

• Andersson, T., & Hosking, J. (2021). Forecasts, neural networks, and results from the paper: ‘Seasonal Arctic sea ice forecasting with probabilistic deep learning’ (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/71820e7d-c628-4e32-969f-464b7efb187c

1. AI for Earth Observation

   The AI for Earth Observation project develops machine learning tools to detect icebergs, sea ice, and wildlife from satellite imagery.

   Read more of: AI for Earth Observation

   

2. AI for smart conservation

   The AI for smart conservation project combines sea ice forecasts, satellite data, and GPS tracking to create early-warning systems for Arctic wildlife.

   Read more of: AI for smart conservation

   

3. Antarctic surface mass and energy exchanges

   SURFEIT unites UK and international scientists to study Antarctic ice and atmosphere interactions, improve sea-level projections, and support climate action.

   Read more of: Antarctic surface mass and energy exchanges

   

4. Digital Twins of the Polar Regions

   This project is developing digital twins of Antarctic and Arctic environments and resources. A digital twin makes it possible to test “what if” questions far more quickly than traditional computer models.

   Read more of: Digital Twins of the Polar Regions

   

6. 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.

   Read more of: Machine Learning for Sea Ice Forecasting

   

7. AI4EOAccelerator

   AI4EO Accelerator applies artificial intelligence to the large amounts of Earth Observation satellite data now available,

   Read more of: AI4EOAccelerator

   

8. Water Resources of the Upper Indus Basin

   This project investigated how much water is stored in the glaciers and snow of the Upper Indus Basin, and how climate variability influences water availability.

   Read more of: Water Resources of the Upper Indus Basin

   

9. National Capability for Global Challenges

   Polar Expertise – Supporting Development

   Read more of: National Capability for Global Challenges

   

10. North Atlantic climate system integrated study

    ACSIS focussed on understanding changes occurring across the North Atlantic climate system in the ocean, the atmosphere, the cryosphere and the interactions between these constituent components.

    Read more of: North Atlantic climate system integrated study

    

11. Cambridge Centre for Climate Science

    The Cambridge Centre for Climate Science has been established to promote research and other activities in Climate Science.

    Read more of: Cambridge Centre for Climate Science

    

13. Filchner Ice Shelf System, Antarctica

    This project investigated the stability of Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf to produce sea-level projections using hot water drilling, ocean measurements beneath the ice shelf, sediment coring, radar surveys and autonomous submersibles.

    Read more of: Filchner Ice Shelf System, Antarctica

    

More details on projects can be found here

1. Earth Day 2020: A new age of Arctic science discovery – the AI way

   When we see news reports on climate change on our TV, they are often accompanied by footage of a polar bear walking over the icy Arctic landscape. But the Arctic […]

   Read more of: Earth Day 2020: A new age of Arctic science discovery – the AI way

   

2. Automated clustering of storm tracks for interpreting ice core records

   Accumulation in coastal West Antarctic ice core records and the role of cyclone activity Cyclones are an important component of Antarctic climate variability, yet quantifying their impact on the polar […]

   Read more of: Automated clustering of storm tracks for interpreting ice core records

   

1. Using AI to track icebergs

   Researchers are using a new AI tool to detect icebergs in the Southern Ocean – the first step towards tracking the complete lifecycle of Antarctic icebergs from satellite data.

   Read more of: Using AI to track icebergs

   

2. Polar Science for a Sustainable Planet: new science strategy

   The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), launches its new ten-year science strategy today (19 June) that addresses urgent scientific challenges facing our world, namely in the continents of the Arctic and […]

   Read more of: Polar Science for a Sustainable Planet: new science strategy

   

3. Artificial intelligence to help predict Arctic sea ice loss

   A new AI (artificial intelligence) tool is set to enable scientists to more accurately forecast Arctic sea ice conditions months into the future. The improved predictions could underpin new early-warning […]

   Read more of: Artificial intelligence to help predict Arctic sea ice loss

   

4. Knowledge Snack: Digital Twins of infrastructure and the environment

   Join us for this Knowledge Snack session to explore what Digital Twins are, and what applications they can have both in infrastructure management and in finding new ways of capturing and understanding the environment.

   Read more of: Knowledge Snack: Digital Twins of infrastructure and the environment

   

5. Climate scientists help businesses tackle climate change

   Climate change could add around 20% to the global cost of extreme weather events by 2040, according to early findings from Cambridge researchers. The findings come from the Cambridge Climate […]

   Read more of: Climate scientists help businesses tackle climate change

   

6. Antarctic snowfall dominated by a few extreme snowstorms

   A new study reveals the importance of a small number of intense storms around Antarctica in controlling the amount of snow falling across the continent.

   Read more of: Antarctic snowfall dominated by a few extreme snowstorms

   

7. Using AI to help tackle global environmental challenges

   A new Centre for Doctoral Training, involving researchers from British Antarctic Survey, will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to address critical environmental challenges. Climate change and environmental hazards pose some […]

   Read more of: Using AI to help tackle global environmental challenges

   

8. European wind energy generation potential in a 1.5˚C world

   The UK and large parts of northern Europe could become windier if global temperatures reach 1.5˚C above pre-industrial levels, according to a new study. This has implications for wind energy […]

   Read more of: European wind energy generation potential in a 1.5˚C world

   

9. FEATURED PAPER: Record temperature at Signy

   On 30th January 1982, a record high temperature of +19.8°C was measured at Signy Research Station – a record for any station south of 60°S. In this paper, we examined […]

   Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Record temperature at Signy

   

10. FEATURED PAPER: Temperature change in Sichuan

    The Sichuan basin is one of the most densely populated regions of China. Along with insufficient arable land and economic underdevelopments, this region is particularly vulnerable to climate-related stresses. Improving […]

    Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Temperature change in Sichuan

    

11. Storms caused massive Antarctic sea ice loss in 2016

    A series of unprecedented storms over the Southern Ocean likely caused the most dramatic decline in Antarctic sea ice seen to date, a new study finds. Antarctic sea ice – […]

    Read more of: Storms caused massive Antarctic sea ice loss in 2016

    

12. A recent pause in Antarctic Peninsula warming

    The rapid warming of the Antarctic Peninsula, which occurred from the early-1950s to the late 1990s, has paused. Stabilisation of the ozone hole along with natural climate variability were significant in bringing about the change. Together these influences have now caused the northern part of the peninsula to enter a temporary cooling phase. Temperatures remain higher than measured during the middle of the 20th Century and glacial retreat is still taking place. However, scientists predict that if greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise at the current rate, temperatures will increase across the Antarctic Peninsula by several degrees Centigrade by the end of this century.

    Read more of: A recent pause in Antarctic Peninsula warming

    

13. FEATURED PAPER: Circulation changes off West Antarctica

    The Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) is a climatological low pressure system located over the southern Pacific Ocean, off the coast of West Antarctica. Atmospheric variability in this region is larger […]

    Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Circulation changes off West Antarctica

    

14. FEATURED PAPER: Recent snowfall increase

    This paper reveals that the amount of snowfall in coastal West Antarctica has increased during the 20th century, with annual snow accumulation since the 1990s the highest we have observed […]

    Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Recent snowfall increase

    

15. PRESS RELEASE: West Antarctica snow accumulation

    West Antarctic coastal snow accumulation rose 30 percent during 20th century Annual snow accumulation on West Antarctica’s coastal ice sheet increased dramatically during the 20th century, according to a new […]

    Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: West Antarctica snow accumulation