BAS Science strategy team

The BAS Science Strategy Team ensures that the organisation delivers world-leading science underpinned by a clear polar science strategy, that science in BAS is well-managed and has funding that is appropriate and secure.

Director of Science David Vaughan during a BAS BMT meeting
Director of Science David Vaughan

Terms of Reference

  • To develop, maintain and implement a science strategy that keeps BAS at the forefront of polar science, meeting the current NERC science strategy and delivering the BAS Vision
  • To ensure the delivery of the BAS science programme, assessing progress, and ensuring excellent scientific outcomes
  • To foster a vibrant and fertile intellectual environment within BAS, in which all scientists are challenged to develop bold and exciting scientific ideas, and to develop their personal and professional skills
  • To ensure that BAS leads and participates in scientific initiatives that lead to major advances in knowledge and expertise
  • To identify opportunities and ensure innovation, beneficial contact with stakeholders and to maximise the impact of BAS Science
  • To identify and initiate opportunities to maintain, diversify and increase funding available to BAS science; agreeing any changes or adjustments required ensure the sustainable funding of crucial science activities
  • To monitor performance of BAS’s science, and ensure its scientists perform in-line with the expectations of BAS and NERC, highlighting and praising excellence, and where required, implementing measures to improve performance
  • To identify, and seek to overcome, impediments to scientific progress; reporting those that cannot be overcome to the BAS Executive
pcon

Peter Convey

Terrestrial Ecologist IMP 3

jacr

Alistair Crame

Science Leader

daho

Dominic Hodgson

Senior Sediment Scientist IMP 3

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Richard Horne

Science Leader - IMP 1

mmm

Michael Meredith

Science Leader IMP 2

rmu

Robert Mulvaney

Science Programme Coordinator

samhall

Samuel Hall

SDA Digital Twin Manager

aejo

Anna Jones

Director of Science


BAS wins National Capability Funding

12 September, 2018

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






Ecological consequences of a single introduced species to the Antarctic: Terrestrial impacts of the invasive midge Eretmoptera murphyi on Signy Island

8 March, 2023 by Kevin Newsham, Peter Convey

The nutrient-poor soils of Antarctica are sensitive to change. Recent increases in the number of anthropogenic introductions mean that understanding the impact of non-native species on Antarctic soils is pertinent,…

Read more on Ecological consequences of a single introduced species to the Antarctic: Terrestrial impacts of the invasive midge Eretmoptera murphyi on Signy Island

Cryptic fungal diversity revealed by DNA metabarcoding in historic wooden structures at Whalers Bay, Deception Island, maritime Antarctic

1 March, 2023 by Peter Convey

We provide the first assessment of fungal diversity associated with historic wooden structures at Whalers Bay (Heritage Monument 71), Deception Island, maritime Antarctic, using DNA metabarcoding. We detected a total…

Read more on Cryptic fungal diversity revealed by DNA metabarcoding in historic wooden structures at Whalers Bay, Deception Island, maritime Antarctic

A polar insect’s tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica

1 March, 2023 by Peter Convey

Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands include some of the world’s most extreme and pristine terrestrial habitats. While they are characterized by low biodiversity and terrestrial communities comprise small, often microscopic,…

Read more on A polar insect’s tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica

Habitat severity characteristics structure soil communities at regional and local spatial scales along the Antarctica Peninsula

1 March, 2023 by Peter Convey

Antarctic soils provide an excellent setting to test biogeographical patterns across spatial and environmental scales given their relatively simple communities and the dominance of physical factors that create strong environmental…

Read more on Habitat severity characteristics structure soil communities at regional and local spatial scales along the Antarctica Peninsula

Horizon scanning for potential invasive non-native species across the United Kingdom Overseas Territories

24 February, 2023 by David Barnes, Jonathan Shanklin, Kevin Hughes, Peter Convey

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are recognized as a major threat to island biodiversity, ecosystems, and economies globally. Preventing high-risk INNS from being introduced is the most cost-effective way to avoid…

Read more on Horizon scanning for potential invasive non-native species across the United Kingdom Overseas Territories

Soil Fungal Diversity and Ecology Assessed Using DNA Metabarcoding along a Deglaciated Chronosequence at Clearwater Mesa, James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula

8 February, 2023 by Peter Convey

We studied the fungal diversity present in soils sampled along a deglaciated chronosequence from para- to periglacial conditions on James Ross Island, north-east Antarctic Peninsula, using DNA metabarcoding. A total…

Read more on Soil Fungal Diversity and Ecology Assessed Using DNA Metabarcoding along a Deglaciated Chronosequence at Clearwater Mesa, James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Advancing Antarctic climate change policy: Upcoming opportunities for scientists and policymakers to work together [Editorial]

16 January, 2023 by Kevin Hughes, Peter Convey, Rachel Cavanagh

Climate change is increasingly affecting Antarctica and the rest of the world. Urgent policy responses are needed to mitigate its associated impacts. Engagement of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM),…

Read more on Advancing Antarctic climate change policy: Upcoming opportunities for scientists and policymakers to work together [Editorial]

Snowpack nitrate photolysis drives the summertime atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) budget in coastal Antarctica

5 January, 2023 by Anna Jones, Millie Bond, Freya Squires, Markus Frey

Measurements of atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) amount fraction and flux density above snow were carried out using a long path absorption photometer at Halley station in coastal Antarctica between 22…

Read more on Snowpack nitrate photolysis drives the summertime atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) budget in coastal Antarctica

Non-native species in Antarctic terrestrial environments: how climate change and increasing human activity are compounding the threat of invasion

4 January, 2023 by Kevin Hughes, Peter Convey

Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity is simple compared with other regions of the Earth, with many higher taxonomic groups not represented owing to the continent’s isolation, the severe climatic conditions and the…

Read more on Non-native species in Antarctic terrestrial environments: how climate change and increasing human activity are compounding the threat of invasion

Integrating human dimensions in decadal-scale prediction for marine social–ecological systems: lighting the grey zone

1 January, 2023 by Eugene Murphy

The dynamics of marine systems at decadal scales are notoriously hard to predict—hence references to this timescale as the “grey zone” for ocean prediction. Nevertheless, decadal-scale prediction is a rapidly…

Read more on Integrating human dimensions in decadal-scale prediction for marine social–ecological systems: lighting the grey zone