Global Science in the Antarctic Context

Transcription

1 Global Science in the Antarctic Context British Antarctic Survey Strategy to 2012

2 Above and cover: Field party on the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica.

3 Our vision British Antarctic Survey aspires to become, by 2012, the leading international centre for Global Science in the Antarctic Context. Our mission To undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, survey and long-term observations, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs. Contents 4 Introduction 5 Our Strategic Priorities 6 1. How we will choose our science Focusing on key global and basic science issues 8 2. How we will work with others Leading national and international science partnerships How we will be a focal point for public interest Achieving worldwide public recognition for excellence How we will serve the national need Maintaining a British presence in the Antarctic How we will protect the environment Minimising the effect we have on the environment How we will develop our people Continuing to build a top quality, professional workforce How we will do our work Achieving excellence in delivering science using best practice 20 Conclusions 22 British Antarctic Survey Offices and Research Stations

4 Introduction We are already an international leader in Antarctic science relevant to global problems carrying out science that is excellent, relevant and important. But we can and must do more, widening our focus to include the whole planet (now called Earth System Science). Images: Above: The Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew travelling toward the Moon. Image: NASA. Top Right: BAS Diving Officer supervising a dive near Rothera Research Station, Antarctic Peninsula, from an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). Below Right: BAS geological field party unloads a Twin Otter aircraft on Alexander Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

5 The structure of the Earth is very complicated. Its many parts link together in different ways over vast ranges of space and time. Understanding how the system works, and in particular how it is responding to ever-increasing human pressures, is arguably science s greatest challenge. Within the Earth system, the Antarctic, although it is geographically remote, is of special relevance. The Southern Ocean, its sea-ice cover and the great Antarctic ice sheet are important parts of the climate system. The Antarctic environment provides a sensitive indicator of global change. Antarctic sediments and ice cores tell us about the history of past climate, which can help us predict the climate of the future. Seizing these opportunities for important global research will teach us more about the processes that affect everyone. Although access to the Antarctic has always been difficult, our expertise at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has allowed us to work there successfully for over 50 years. We have a long and distinguished history of carrying out research and surveys in the Antarctic and surrounding regions, undertaking most of the British research on the frozen continent. The close linking of the science programmes with essential logistic support makes us very effective in carrying out the complicated and sophisticated scientific field programmes that are necessary today. As a major research centre of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), we: Provide a national capability for Antarctic science and logistics Carry out scientific research, long-term observations and surveys that cannot be done by anyone else in the UK Provide a focus for international co-operation and programme co-ordination Concentrate on issues fundamental to NERC s science strategy and conservation of the Antarctic environment Our Strategic Priorities To achieve this vision, we have identified seven priorities for the period 2002 to 2012.These are to: Focus our work on relevant key global or basic science issues Lead national and international science partnerships Achieve worldwide public recognition for excellence Maintain a British presence in the Antarctic Minimise our effects on the environment Build a top-quality, professional workforce Achieve excellence in delivering science using best practice 5

6 1. How we will choose our science Focusing on key global or basic science issues We must understand Earth System Science if we are to plan a sustainable future. The polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) provide exceptional research opportunities as laboratories for studies of ecosystems, biological extremes, evolution and geological processes, and as a platform for observations into near-space. Images: Above: Water runs off the ice cliffs near Rothera Research Station, Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Right: The Microtron, designed to predict the effects of climate warming on Antarctic microbial food webs. Far Right: Log-periodic antenna system of the Southern Hemisphere Antarctic Radar Experiment (SHARE) at Halley Research Station, Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica.

7 Understanding the behaviour of the cold Southern Ocean, its sea-ice cover and the ice sheet on the Antarctic continent are crucial to understanding and predicting global change. Our aim is to become a key international centre for Earth System Science. We will do this by focusing on issues that are of global or fundamental importance and can best be dealt with through research in the Antarctic and related regions. Our science programmes will: Achieve the highest levels of creativity and excellence Advance scientific knowledge, especially if it is relevant to sustainability Reflect the science strategy of the Natural Environment Research Council Be the focal point for scientific questions on Antarctica Focus on key questions and allow for new scientific opportunities Encourage interdisciplinary approaches Look for complementary funding, major grants and collaborative research agreements In short, we aim to deal with priority problems and deliver influential outputs. 7

8 2. How we will work with others Leading national and international science partnerships No institute or country can hope to achieve the scale of research activity needed to solve these global problems on its own. An important feature of our future research will be to complement and draw together national and international efforts in research areas of high priority. Images: Above: European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Right: An American Hercules C130 lands on the ice at a joint US/UK survey camp at Pine Island, West Antarctica. Far Right: The spirit of international co-operation is represented at the South Pole.

9 As an international leader in Antarctic science, we will: Develop stronger links with the centres of excellence in Earth System Science throughout the world Create, host and lead new national and international science programmes Share the results of our work with everyone Encourage scientific exchange by inviting visitors to take part in our programmes In short, we will encourage and work towards a global science effort. 9

10 3. How we will be a focal point for public interest Achieving worldwide public recognition for excellence Images: Above: BBC cameraman on a BAS media visit to the Antarctic. Right: Getting to grips with squid research at the BA Discovery Day 2002, Royal Albert Hall, London. Far Right: RRS James Clark Ross at the International Festival of the Sea 2002, Portsmouth.

11 What the public think of our work will depend on how well we communicate with them, as well as on their attitudes to science. Our reputation depends on clear communication and delivering public information effectively. The key building blocks for our success in the future are the quality of our research and logistics, a record of groundbreaking discovery, and an outstanding ability to communicate. Scientific excellence will continue to be judged by our fellow scientists internationally. To increase public recognition of our work, we will: Make the most of our influence through a proactive media and public information policy Strengthen our distinctive image through all forms of published material Have contact with all sectors of society through media relations, the Internet, publications, public events, lectures and exhibitions Continue to develop new strategies to create access to Antarctica In short, we aim to be accepted as a main source of scientific information about the Antarctic worldwide. 11

12 4. How we will serve the national need Maintaining a British presence in the Antarctic We provide a national capability for reliable and independent policy advice through science, long-term monitoring and surveys. The UK Government expresses its interests in the Antarctic region through us. We also put into practice Government policies on topics such as commercial exploitation and relationships between science and society. Images: Above: Joint UK, US and New Zealand field camp with BAS Twin Otter aircraft. Right: RRS Ernest Shackleton tied up against sea-ice on the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Far Right: Rothera Research Station, Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula the UK s largest Antarctic facility.

13 We will: Maintain a leadership role in Antarctic affairs Provide reliable and independent scientific advice for policy-making Continue our role in the development of international science policy Respond quickly and effectively to changes in Government policy Provide a physical presence in Antarctica to meet Government requirements In short, we will provide a national capability and presence through world-class science. 13

14 5. How we will protect the environment Minimising the effect we have on the environment Compared to other regions of the Earth, the Antarctic continent is undamaged. In contrast, the ocean ecosystem that surrounds it has been exploited for over 200 years. To preserve the unique nature of Antarctica, we need to understand and reduce the effect humans have on the Antarctic environment. We need to make sure that in our work we observe but do not significantly disturb or damage this environment. Images: Above: Waste drums being loaded onto a Sno-cat sledge at Halley Reseach Station, Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Right: Rubbish from all BAS stations is regularly removed from Antarctica. Far Right: Solar-powered sea-ice camera developed by BAS engineers.

15 To protect this environment, we will: Use environmental impact assessment and monitoring to limit our effects on the environment Use more renewable energy, reduce the amount of energy and materials we use, and recycle more waste Develop more automated systems to collect and transmit data Review all our processes to guarantee best environmental practice Remove abandoned British bases and waste dumps, and conserve those historic sites that we are responsible for In short, we will study Antarctica but protect it while doing so. 15

16 6. How we will develop our people Continuing to build a top-quality, professional workforce Success will depend on the skills, quality, commitment and attitude of everyone who works for us. Our aim is to create a working environment that encourages team approaches and allows people to achieve their potential and contribute fully to our work. This means we need to develop our staff continuously and promote adaptability, flexibility and inter-disciplinary teamwork. Images: Above: BAS divers under newly formed fast ice. Right: Spanish scientist records the incubation patterns of giant petrels at Bird Island Research Station, South Georgia. Far Right: BAS staff training in sea rescue prior to their trip south.

17 We will: Provide opportunities and support for continuous professional development Build our skills and expertise, and encourage new ideas Promote team working, communication and inter-disciplinarity Recognise the contribution of staff to excellence, both internally and externally Attract leading scientists from elsewhere to take part Develop relationships with organisations that are the best in our field In short, we want to be the best and give our best. 17

18 7. How we will do our work Achieving excellence in delivering science using best practice We will continue to deliver our science using the best health and safety practice, although we are working in one of the most challenging areas in the world. We will look for new ideas to improve the technical, managerial and logistic delivery of our science. We will improve the links between science and technology and the potential for commercial development and economic progress. Images: Above: Adjusting instruments on the FLUX mast, Halley Research Station, Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Right: Data from a geolocator attached to a female grey-headed albatross show the route taken during her year off between breeding attempts. She circumnavigated the globe twice before returning to Bird Island to breed. Far Right: RRS James Clark Ross near Rothera Point, Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

19 To achieve excellence in science delivery, we will: Promote an open and positive health and safety culture Apply best management practice and techniques Manage our information and data effectively and electronically Keep up to date with new and emerging technology Develop the links between science and technology, exploiting opportunities with commercial potential Work to standards to improve our performance In short, we will have the best possible science delivery, technology and logistic support. 19

20 Conclusions In putting this strategy into practice, we will be working closely with our stakeholders to define and deliver our strategic science programmes. We will publish the details in separate science and business plans. Images: Above: BAS marine scientists working in the dry laboratory at King Edward Point Research Station, South Georgia. Right: Slice of ice core from Dyer Plateau, depth 230m, with the globe superimposed on top of it. Trapped air bubbles, an archive of past atmospheres, are visible in the ice. Far Right: Rime ice forming on tent guy ropes in calm weather.

21 We will know that we have become the leading international centre for Global Science in the Antarctic Context when we: Are recognised as making major contributions to global or basic science Show output performance indicators that set new standards of excellence Are interdisciplinary and innovative in our approach and delivery Consistently publish world-class science in the leading journals Attract and work with people who are best in their field Are respected for our stewardship of the environment Are used as an authoritative source of information and advice 21

22 BAS Offices and Research Stations

23 Feedback and further information We welcome your feedback and comments on this document.these should be addressed to: Prof Chris Rapley CBE Director British Antarctic Survey High Cross, Madingley Road Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK For further information about BAS, please visit our website: Published by British Antarctic Survey Printed by Flying Colours ISBN NERC All rights reserved.

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