The Diversity in UK Polar Science initiative celebrates diversity in UK polar research. It promotes opportunities for under-represented groups. These include women, people from racial and ethnic minorities in the UK, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability.
The initiative was conceived and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Polar Regions Department. It marked the 200th anniversary of Antarctica’s discovery.
Student working in a lab at the BAS Cambridge site
In the first stage of our work, data from the 2017 Office of National Statistics Research Report were analysed. This helped the team understand the diversity landscape in UK society.
These data were compared with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) higher education and BAS data, which served as a proxy for UK polar science. This comparison created a benchmark for measuring improvement and focusing the work.
The first stage ran from September 2019 to December 2021. Since then, activities have continued with funding from the FCDO and the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) and other sources.
What this community does
The initiative aims to create a more diverse and inclusive future for UK Polar science. This future is intended to reflect the diversity of British society today.
Why this matters
For over 100 years after its discovery, visitors to Antarctica were overwhelmingly men. The first British female scientists did not work on the continent until the 1980s. The initiative aims to create a more diverse and inclusive future for UK Polar science. This future is intended to reflect the diversity of British society today.
Our approach
Steering group
A steering group guides the initiative. It is chaired by representatives of the UK Arctic-Antarctic Partnership, the UK Polar Network (UKPN), and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).
Members include:
How you can get involved
Community participation is essential to creating change and activities that resonate with people. Our steering group wants to be accessible for everyone who wants to get involved. You can get in touch by emailing the contact on this page.
“EDI is about all of us and it’s a shared responsibility” SCAR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action group
The team encourages advocates who can promote diversity and inclusion in their organisations to join.
Contributions are welcome in these areas:
Claudette Lopez writes for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-22 March), a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, on her experience of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and […]
Our colleagues Millicent Harding and Louise Mercer from the UK Polar Network and as part of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) share their experience of a very […]
Polar research often conjures images of scientists operating in remote, arduous conditions at the ends of the world reminiscent of the likes of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen during the ‘Heroic Age’ of polar exploration at the turn of the 20th century. However, 21st century polar research is so much more than this.
Megan Monkman (she/her) is an Energy and Carbon Analyst at British Antarctic Survey working on decarbonisation and net zero projects. Here she writes about her experience in the gay community, […]
Elen Jones joined British Antarctic Survey as the Director of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in April 2022 after 20 years as an Electrical Engineer in the railway, aerospace and construction industries. For this year’s International Day for Women in Engineering, Elen reflects on her experiences and the importance of encouraging others to join the field of engineering.
Dr Dani Jones is an Oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey and a Senior Member at Darwin College, University of Cambridge. They have over 15 years of experience in the […]
Zero Discrimination Day highlights the right of all people to live healthy, full and productive lives with dignity and ending all forms of discrimination that impact on quality of life, […]
David Wilkins is the Net Zero Engagement and Support Officer at British Antarctic Survey. He recently visited our new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough. On this International Day of […]
International Men’s Day is an annual celebration taking place on Saturday 19 November around some of the issues that specifically impact men and boys. The themes of the day centre […]
Professor Martin Siegert is a glaciologist at Imperial College London and co-director of the Grantham Institute. He’s co-Chair of the Diversity in Polar Science Initiative and Chair of the UK […]
Over the past year, our EDI interns have spent time at BAS working on a variety of fascinating polar projects. Here, we hear about how they’ve built their skills and […]
Over the past year, our Equality Diversity and Inclusion interns have spent time at BAS working on a variety of fascinating polar projects. Here, we hear about how they’ve built […]
You may have heard acronyms such as EDI, DEI, EDIA, JEDI, and wondered what they mean. They refer to issues including equity, equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, concepts that take on different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context they exist in. Historically, and still today, we know that some people are systemically disadvantaged and marginalised in society, so whatever the acronym, inclusion work should generally try to dismantle and help unlearn prevailing unjust structural and cultural settings.
Simon Garrod, Director of BAS Operations and Engineering, reflects on Zero Discrimination Day and on the changes regarding inclusion and discrimination that have occurred since he started working in the polar environment nearly thirty years ago.
Today, 3 December 2021, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The theme this year focuses on “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an […]
Black History Month recognises and celebrates the achievements of people with African or Caribbean heritage and takes place every October (in the UK). It marks the contributions of Black people […]
Jon Ager joined British Antarctic Survey as Director of the UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in 2019, after serving for almost 35 years in the Royal Air Force and aerospace […]
Professor Martin Siegert from Imperial College London has just become one of the three new co-chairs of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative Steering committee. In this guest blog, […]
British Antarctic Survey scientist Dr Amelié Kirchgaessner shares her journey in polar science for International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 (11 Feb). My name is Amelié Kirchgaessner, […]
Blog: Ocean modeller Dr Kaitlin Naughten discusses what we can do as individuals and as institutions to support our colleagues who stammer.
To celebrate Black History Month Sharon Grant describes her time working for British Antarctic Suirvey in this guest blog.
BLOG. Director of Innovation and Impact aims to enhance innovation culture through diversity and inclusion.
BLOG. BAS Director of Science, Professor David Vaughan describes his ambition for more diversity in science.
BLOG. Jane Rumble, Head of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Polar Regions Department talks about a new initiative to enhance diversity in UK Polar Science
BAS marine biogeographer Dr Huw Griffiths talks about the importance of diverse role models. He is hopeful that existing and future polar scientists will see that being yourself and being different are no barrier to working in the most extreme environments on Earth, and can be a real asset as a scientist.
BLOG. Biologist Huw Griffiths shares his personal experience of research as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
A special issue of the journal Oceanography has shone a spotlight on the collaborative FindAScienceBerth project, inspiring people and institutions to make positive change towards increasing diversity.
This November British Antarctic Survey joins with the polar community to celebrate the contribution of LGBTQIA+ people in polar research and operations to mark Polar Pride Day and LGBTQIA STEM Day (Saturday 18 November).
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has achieved an Athena Swan Silver Award in recognition of efforts to advance the careers of women and underrepresented groups at the polar research institute in […]
A recent study published in the journal Earth Science, Systems and Society sheds light on the experiences and viewpoints of staff working for British Antarctic Survey (BAS) from minority backgrounds. […]
Applications for PhD projects with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are now open for October 2022 admission. BAS currently supports over 100 PhD students, working on a huge variety of projects. […]
Today (18 November) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) joins global celebrations to mark LGBTQ+ STEM DAY and Polar Pride Day. Polar Pride is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people […]
A report outlining the importance of Intentionally Inclusive Spaces in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a case study of the Polar Horizons 2021 programme is published this month […]
Outcomes of the first phase of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) are promoted this month
On International Women’s Day (8 March 2021), we mark and celebrate women working at British Antarctic Survey (BAS). We showcase the diversity of roles and specialities of those working in […]
This week over 100 early career researchers and students from underrepresented groups, particularly BAME, LGBTQ+ and the Disabled, took part in Polar Horizons 2021. The Polar Horizons Initiative, funded by […]
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 […]
Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), a celebration of women and girls in science led by UNESCO and UN-Women. “International Day of Women and […]
Today (18 November) marks the first Polar Pride – a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people in the overseas territories including British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia & the […]
New blogs, refreshed web content and a social media campaign aim to highlight a two-year programme of work aimed at boosting diversity in UK polar science.
The Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) celebrate the contribution of LGBTQ+ people by declaring 18 November […]
British Antarctic Survey supports and endorses the UKRI statement on Black Lives Matter. We embrace and recognise the importance of taking a stand against racism and strive for diversity and equality of opportunity, and are committed to building inclusive and diverse teams that represent all backgrounds.
The below documents are a collection of contacts, funding information and lessons learnt from the project team. Do you have an idea that could make us even more effective? Please get in touch!