Biography

Pete is the BAS Senior Creative Services Manager. He’s also a Cinematographer/Photographer, UAV pilot and manages the Image Collection at the British Antarctic Survey. Working both with scientists and communications specialists he provides visual solutions that both enable and help communicate BAS Science.

His work has been seen in TV News reports & documentaries around the world and in most, if not all, national and international broadsheet newspapers.

Pete also both leads and plays an active involvement in many science and arts collaborations include the BAFTA winning Antarctic Waves, an ongoing DATA AS ART project, and an exciting/immersive ‘Virtual Antarctica’ project. The latest projects under development being Polar Zero, a science/art/engineering collaboration with the Royal College of Art and Arup, for COP26.

Pete has traveled to the Polar Regions supporting British Science more than a dozen times during his 28 years working for British Antarctic Survey. His experiences now used to advised some of the worlds leading directors & camera operators, as well as government and law enforcement officers on working and filming in challenging environments.

Previous Employment
2018 – Present

Senior Creative Services Manager
British Antarctic Survey
Cambridge & The Polar Regions

2015 – 2018

Creative Services Manager
British Antarctic Survey
Cambridge & The Polar Regions

1990 – 2015

Photographer/Cinematographer & Image Collection Developer
British Antarctic Survey
Cambridge & The Polar Regions

1987 – 1990

Head of Photographic Unit
UK Ministry of Defence
RAF Staff College

1986 – 1987

Senior Photographer
UK Ministry of Defence

1985 – 1986

Staff Photographer
UK Atomic Energy Authority

Research interests

Whilst supporting science across BAS, Pete has a passion for science-art collaborations and virtual environments. As they take BAS science, engineering and operations to new, exciting and wider audiences.

Research interests

Whilst supporting science across BAS, Pete has a passion for science-art collaborations and virtual environments. As they take BAS science, engineering and operations to new, exciting and wider audiences.

Notes from a cold climate – Antarctic Symphony (Symphony No.8)

A creative record & diaries of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, recorded during his journey to Antarctica to create an Antarctic Symphony in the footsteps of Vaughan Williams original Symphony written following Scott’s expeditions. Creative imagery by Pete Bucktrout, photographer and cameraman at the British Antarctic Survey.

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

1. Polar Zero – Ice core

   A moment frozen in time Experience the sound of ancient air bubbles popping as an Antarctic Peninsula ice core emerges from an insulated tube.  As it melts and drips away […]

   Read more of: Polar Zero – Ice core

   

2. Polar Zero – 1765 ‘Air’

   Polar Zero – 1765

   Read more of: Polar Zero – 1765 ‘Air’

   

3. 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

   

4. Ice Floor Sci-Art Installation

   Ice Floor, is an immersive exhibition commissioned by engineering consultants Arup. UK born artist Wayne Binitie created the installation.

   Read more of: Ice Floor Sci-Art Installation

   

5. Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions

   This project investigated plastic pollution across Arctic and Antarctic environments. Scientists collected water, ice, and sediment samples to quantify macro and microplastic pollution, track its sources, and assess its impact on polar wildlife.

   Read more of: Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions

   

6. Virtual Antarctica

   Virtual Antarctica … journey beyond

   Read more of: Virtual Antarctica

   

7. Data As Art

   DATA AS ART visualises science data to create stunning and thought-provoking artworks, using real Antarctic data-sets that explain important and exciting science stories.

   Read more of: Data As Art

   

8. 60 Second Science

   60 Second Science challenged our science, engineering and support staff and their research collaborators to explain in 60 seconds what they do.

   Read more of: 60 Second Science

   

9. 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 […]

   Read more of: Data as Art: POLAR AESTHETICS

   

10. Impact of global disturbances on evolution of polar life

    Why does global biodiversity show such a steep increase just as climates were deteriorating?

    Read more of: Impact of global disturbances on evolution of polar life

    

I’m lucky enough to be involved in projects across the whole spectrum of BAS science, engineering, and logistics, providing image and visual solutions for our scientific and corporate communications

1. Polar Zero: visual arts take centre stage at COP26

   Immersive science-art ice core research exhibition to be displayed at Glasgow Science Centre during COP26

   Read more of: Polar Zero: visual arts take centre stage at COP26

   

2. Ice core inspired art installation opens in London

   A new climate change artwork – Ice Floor, a new Phase 2 by Wayne Binitie, opens this week at Arup’s Fitzroy Street offices in London. The work was developed in […]

   Read more of: Ice core inspired art installation opens in London

   

3. New polar research ship makes a ‘splash’

   RRS Sir David Attenborough hull launch into River Mersey 14 July Update 20 July 2018 – watch video of launch A major milestone in the build of the UK’s state-of-the-art […]

   Read more of: New polar research ship makes a ‘splash’

   

4. PRESS RELEASE: Penguin trends analysed

   Risks to penguin populations analysed A major study of all penguin species suggests the birds are at continuing risk from habitat degradation. Writing in the journal, Conservation Biology, a group […]

   Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Penguin trends analysed

   

5. NEWS STORY: Antarctic Science Strategy

   Government publishes UK Antarctic Science Strategy A framework document ‘UK Science in Antarctica 2014-2020‘ is published today (Wednesday 16 July). Prepared by the UK National Committee for Antarctic Research on […]

   Read more of: NEWS STORY: Antarctic Science Strategy

   

6. NEWS STORY: Emperor Penguins’ adaptation skills

   New research using satellite images reveals that emperor penguins are more willing to relocate than previously thought A new study led by the University of Minnesota offers new insights on […]

   Read more of: NEWS STORY: Emperor Penguins’ adaptation skills

   

7. PRESS RELEASE: British team to explore buried lake

   British team set to access and sample one of the last unexplored environments on Earth This week (12 December) a British team of scientists and engineers, including scientists from British […]

   Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: British team to explore buried lake

   

8. PRESS RELEASE: Ice sheet behaviour analysed

   Ice sheet retreat controlled by the landscape Ice-sheet retreat can halt temporarily during long phases of climate warming, according to scientists. A UK team led by Durham University has found […]

   Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Ice sheet behaviour analysed

   

• British Association of Picture Libraries - BAS nominated co-ordinator, British Association of Picture Libraries BAPLA
• Advisor - filming in Extreme Environments, Guild of Television Cameramen
• BAS contact & member, Immerse UK