Science teams

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) addresses the big questions in polar science, and how they apply to all of Earth’s environments, through nine interdisciplinary science teams and one support team. 

BAS’s science teams comprise the Survey’s own scientists, and they work in collaboration with universities and research organisations in the UK and globally. They use the polar regions as a natural laboratory to understand global environmental issues and inform policy.  

BAS has nine science teams: 

• AI Lab team uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to extract data from our research findings on subjects as diverse as sea ice forecasting and space weather, ice dynamics and sea level rise, seasonal polar operations and automation, tracking wildlife and icebergs from space, and the biology of creatures that live on the seafloor. 

• The Atmosphere, Ice and Climate team studies the combined system of the atmosphere, ocean and sea ice, and its response to global changes. The team’s long-term observations and advanced numerical modelling provide predictions that guide future climate policy. 

• The Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation team looks at how past, present and future environmental change affects polar biodiversity on land and sea. Their findings build our understanding of how life has adapted to extreme environments, and contribute to conservation policies worldwide. 

• The Ecosystems team studies the combined impacts of climate change and commercial fishing on polar marine ecosystems. Their research on species such as copepods, krill, and higher predators helps shape conservation strategies, and influences international policy through organisations like the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). 

• The Geology and Geophysics team researches the geological structure and tectonic evolution of the Antarctic continent. They explore the land beneath the thick ice sheets using airborne and marine instruments, providing insights into iceflows and the long-term stability of the ice sheets. 

• The Ice Dynamics and Palaeoclimate team aims to understand how glaciers and ice sheets respond to climate change. They investigate past climate changes and ice sheet behaviour through observational campaigns and ice core analysis to better predict future sea level rise and ice loss. 

• The Palaeo Environments, Ice Sheets and Climate Change team builds historic records of climate and environmental change in Earth’s high latitude regions. They aim to reduce uncertainty in predicting future climate change and sea levels by studying mechanisms that have shaped our ice sheets and polar oceans. 

• The Polar Oceans team researches the role of oceans in influencing the polar ice caps, and regional climate change chased by shifts in ocean circulation. Their research helps to reduce uncertainty in scientific predictions and provides governments with assessments of how these issues will affect people in the future. 

• The Space Weather and Atmosphere team focuses on how solar activity affects the Earth’s upper atmosphere, and climate in the polar regions. The research helps governments and the aerospace and insurance sectors mitigate the impacts of severe space weather which can disrupt satellites, navigation, communications and power grids. 

Supporting research 

The nine science teams are supported by the Research Development and Support (ReDS) business team. Their role includes: 

• identifying new business and research opportunities 

• supporting research grant applications 

• managing large European-funded projects 

• overseeing science facilities and laboratories. 

ReDS also supports postgraduate research programmes and offers technical services and health and safety guidance to the science teams. 

Stakeholder and public engagement 

A common thread among all BAS science and support teams is stakeholder and public engagement. This includes: 

• producing briefings and advice for UK government departments 

• collaborating with international partners 

• disseminating research through publications, presentations, and public engagement activities. 

All the teams also help train the next generation of polar scientists through PhD programmes and postdoctoral research. 

1. Historic drilling project finds ice over 1.2 million years old

   The Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice project has successfully drilled a 2800-metre-long ice core consisting of ice which is over 1.2 million years old.

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2. Antarctic drilling missions seek to understand climate and ice dynamics

   Over 30 researchers from international institutes are working on ice core drilling campaigns in Antarctica to probe the ice sheet’s behaviour, carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, and the Earth’s climate history.

   Read more of: Antarctic drilling missions seek to understand climate and ice dynamics

   

3. New deep-sea mollusc species co-habits with anemone 

   A new species of tusk shell, a burrowing marine mollusc, has been discovered in deep, North Atlantic waters by scientists from British Antarctic Survey and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research.

   Read more of: New deep-sea mollusc species co-habits with anemone 

   

4. Plastic reduces how krill remove carbon into deep ocean

   New research shows that increased levels of plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean could reduce the ability of Antarctic krill, a tiny shrimp-like crustacean, to help take CO2 from the atmosphere. 

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5. UK researchers join forces to put science at forefront of climate solutions

   British Antarctic Survey is one of seven Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) supported centres and the Met Office, which will work together as the new UK National Climate Science Partnership (UKNCSP) to respond to threats posed by a rapidly changing climate by putting climate science at the forefront of the solutions agenda.

   Read more of: UK researchers join forces to put science at forefront of climate solutions

   

6. RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands

   Today (Monday 1 March 2021) the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) makes her final call to her home port of the Falkland Islands. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of her 20/21 Antarctic season.  […]

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7. Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica calves

   A huge iceberg (1270 km²) the size of the county of Bedfordshire has broken off the 150-m thick Brunt Ice Shelf, almost a decade after scientists at British Antarctic Survey […]

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8. Evaluation concludes BAS research is ‘world leading’

   An evaluation of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has provided an objective assessment of its research excellence and impact. It concludes BAS is ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. Two independent panels […]

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9. BAS field season underway

   The BAS field season is underway. Since the RRS James Clark Ross departed the UK in November last year, it has safely delivered summer and wintering staff and essential cargo […]

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10. 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

    

11. Scientists drill for first time on remote Antarctic Glacier

    Teams from the US and UK have successfully completed scientific fieldwork in one of the most remote and hostile areas of West Antarctica – coinciding with the 200th anniversary of […]

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12. 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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13. 2019/20 Antarctic field season begins

    Getting ready to go south

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14. Eyes on ice – medical research from Antarctica

    Medical research in Antarctica

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15. Halley VI Research Station – relocation success

    British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has successfully relocated Halley VI Research Station to its new home on the Brunt Ice Shelf.  Operational teams have spent the past 13 weeks moving each […]

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16. New field season begins

    As spring returns to the southern hemisphere British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has started another research season which will take them over land, sea and ice in search of answers to […]

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17. PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science

    New season tackles ambitious science and logistical challenges The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2015/16 field season is underway with dozens of scientists and support staff – together with planes and tonnes […]

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18. NEWS STORY: BAS ranked highly by Nature

    BAS rated highly in research institution rankings NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) both feature among the world’s top 100 Earth and environmental science institutions, according […]

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19. NEWS STORY: Agreement signed with Chile

    British Antarctic Survey and Chilean Antarctic Institute sign agreement to strengthen science cooperation This month Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary, William Hague welcomed a joint commitment to partner […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: Agreement signed with Chile