British Antarctic Survey

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The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is a world leading research organisation that undertakes and supports scientific discovery in the Polar Regions. They operate in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, providing logistic and engineering support for a wide range of science programmes studying topics from penguins to climate change.

The British Antarctic Survey was founded in 1955 as part of the UK’s contribution to the International Geophysical Year, with its first base, Halley Bay, opening in 1957. From these humble beginnings BAS has grown into an internationally respected organisation with over 400 staff working across five bases in Antarctica and the Arctic, four aircraft, two ships and a fleet of land vehicles.

BAS carries out research into many different areas including atmospheric science, biology, earth sciences and medicine. Their work helps us to understand not only Antarctica and the Polar Regions but also global processes such as climate change. Much of their work is done through international collaborations with other research institutes around the world.

A key focus for BAS is understanding how changes in Antarctica will affect life elsewhere on Earth. The continent is uniquely placed to give scientists insights into how our planet’s climate systems work because it acts as a ‘barometer’ for global climate change. As well as this vital role BAS also provides essential information about environmental threats such as ozone depletion and marine pollution.