Science teams

We approach the big questions in polar science by working in interdisciplinary teams from within our organisation and also in partnership with leading universities and research organisations from the UK and elsewhere.

Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions

An estimated 75% of all the litter in our oceans is plastic, and around 5 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean annually. Scientific observations of a significant concentration …
Halley VI Research Station in winter

Testing space flight missions at Halley

The remoteness and winter isolation of communities working in Antarctica provide an excellent environment for research into human behaviour, performance, health and well being.  Many studies of overwintering staff in Antarctica …

EU-PolarNet

A strategic framework to connect science and society
A group of people riding skis on top of a snow covered slope

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

3 November, 2021

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.

Large red ship in a body of water with rocks in the foreground

RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands

1 March, 2021

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.  …

A plane flying over a body of water

Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica calves

26 February, 2021

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 …

A group of people sitting at a table.

Evaluation concludes BAS research is ‘world leading’

21 January, 2021

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 …

RRS James Clark Ross at South Georgia

BAS field season underway

8 January, 2021

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 …

Halley relocation

Halley VI Research Station – relocation success

2 February, 2017

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 …

Water next to the ocean.

New field season begins

29 November, 2016

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 …

Twin otter landing on the Dyer Plateau

PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science

23 November, 2015

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 …

A man riding skis down a snow covered mountain.

NEWS STORY: BAS ranked highly by Nature

21 June, 2013

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 …

NEWS STORY: Agreement signed with Chile

19 November, 2012

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 …