Best British Antarctic Survey Podcasts (2024)

1
S3: Happy Midwinter, from King Edward Point Research Station 25:39

1h ago25:39

25:39

Welcome to the longest night of the dark Antarctic winter - and the biggest celebration in the polar calendar. Coming to you (almost) live from King Edward Point (KEP) Research Station on the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia, Nadia Frontier chats to five members of the team as they prepare their hand-made gifts, limber up for the station olymp…

1
Rewriting the future of dementia: building a community of researchers with a shared purpose | Lucy Wilson | UK Dementia Research Institute 33:58

24d ago33:58

33:58

Despite the alarming statistic that 1 in 3 people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, research into the neurodegenerative disease has historically been underfunded compared with other areas of medical research such as cancer. In this episode of Research Comms, host Peter Barker explores the reasons behind that with Lucy Wilson, Dire…

1
S3 Ep10: Engineers of Antarctica, with Jonathan Witherstone & Jaskiran Nagi 24:34

30d ago24:34

24:34

From living beside a growing ice chasm, to signing up to live in Antarctica through dark Antarctic Winter - Jaskiran Nagi and Jonathan Witherstone are electronics engineers with a shared love of knowing how things work and being outdoors. Jas chats about his work at Halley Research Station and maintaining the seismic instruments on the ice shelf th…

1
S3: Fossil hunting and managing Antarctic mud, with the Seymour Island expedition team 33:14

2M ago33:14

33:14

Featuring ammonites shaped like giant paperclips, curry cooking in the field, and emergency mud liquidation techniques - this team of fossil hunters are fresh off their expedition to Antarctica's Seymour Island. Led by Dr Rowan Whittle from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), they want to understand how life on the Antarctic sea floor evolved over the …

1
Making Sense of Sensemaking: A framework for communications that cut through the noise | Liz Neeley & Ambika Kamath | Liminal 35:51

2M ago35:51

35:51

Sensemaking is a powerful communications tool that provides a framework for understanding the world in which we live and shaping the stories that we tell. In this episode of Research Comms, Peter is joined by Liz Neeley and Ambika Kamath, the founding members of science communications collective Liminal, to unpack sensemaking and its potential for …

1
S3 Ep9: Watching wild weather in Antarctica, with Jo Cole 18:53

2M ago18:53

18:53

Meteorologist Jo Cole chats to Nadia Frontier about fixing weather stations in remote locations, and seeing the sun return after Winter from the top of a mountain. Being a meteorologist in Antarctica is a busy job! From launching weather balloons, to making hourly observations to support flights on the frozen continent, the information captured is …

1
1: The mystery of the missing Antarctic sea ice | Dr Ella Gilbert 14:50

2M ago14:50

14:50

2023 set new, dramatic temperature records - and Earth’s frozen places are feeling the heat. Picture the problem: it’s August 2023, the depths of Antarctic Winter, and there’s an area of missing Antarctic sea ice bigger than Greenland. Just 8 years ago, the area of Antarctic sea ice was actually growing each year. Then something changed. Climate sc…

1
S3 Ep8: From Arran to Antarctica with Niall Macleod 18:49

3M ago18:49

18:49

In a conversation ranging from ice climbing to the trials of wearing a kilt in Antarctica, Nadia chats to Niall Macleod, the Plant Operator at Rothera Research Station through Antarctic Winter. Niall's route to Antarctica was through agriculture, quarrying and civil engineering - before deciding that he wanted to do something for the environment. H…

1
How an economic institute's video strategy helped it reach millions of people around the world | Matthew Kulvicki | Institute for New Economic Thinking 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

It's no secret that video can be one of the most powerful ways of sharing research with audiences online. But creating a successful strategy that will get your videos seen by the right people isn't always so straightforward. One research organisation that has achieved huge levels of public engagement with its own video content is the Institute for …

1
S3 Ep7: Leading polar expeditions, with Ed Luke and Matthew Shepherd 34:53

3M ago34:53

34:53

A field guide is one of the most highly skilled and varied jobs in Antarctica. From accompanying scientists on expeditions, training their colleagues to survive on the ice and fixing sledges, there's never a dull day. Polar field guides Ed Luke and Matthew Shepherd talk to Nadia about life on the ice and extreme camping. Produced in partnership wit…

1
S3: Leadership and a life on the ice, with Professor Dame Jane Francis 32:29

4M ago32:29

32:29

How many people can say they've lost count of their visits to Antarctica? In this special International Women's Day episode, Professor Dame Jane Francis (Director of British Antarctic Survey) chats to Nadia about her journey into science, fossil hunting in Antarctic mud, launching the RRS Sir David Attenborough with Sir David Attenborough, and lead…

1
S3 Ep6: Chefs of Antarctica, with Sadhbh Moore and Katy Rumm 32:48

4M ago32:48

32:48

Imagine cooking for 160 with only frozen, tinned and dried food... for a whole season. We all know the stomach is the route to the heart, so the meals need to feel fresh, nourishing and varied. Chefs might have the most important job at Rothera Research Station! In this episode, Summer chef Sadhbh Moore chats to host Nadia Frontier about food susta…

1
Avoiding the Spiral of Silence: The Case for Talking About Climate | Eric Fine | Yale Program on Climate Change Communication 39:08

4M ago39:08

39:08

Over the past few decades, the evidence to show that climate change is happening, that it’s caused by human activities, and that we need to take urgent action to limit its impact, has gathered at an overhelming rate. But research into the best way to communicate that message has lagged behind. That’s changing, thanks in large part to the work of or…

1
S3 Ep5: Ryan Mathews on diving and exploring in Antarctic Winter 22:35

4M ago22:35

22:35

Ryan talks to host Nadia Frontier about the extraordinary experience of living in Antarctica through the dark winter - the adventures, the challenges, and preparing for the arrival of the summer community. Ryan Mathews was the Marine Assistant at Rothera Research Station, where he works on scientific diving in Antarctica's icy waters, and in the on…

1
Generative-AI: Establishing guidelines for how to use it | Amy Mollett, Barney Brown and William Kerslake | University of Cambridge 44:52

5M ago44:52

44:52

Generative-AI tools, like ChatGPT, are increasingly embedded in the day-to-day work of research communicators. At the University of Cambridge the senior comms team has published a set of AI guidelines, created in consultation with staff across the university. In this episode of Research Comms, members of the working group that put the guidelines to…

1
S3 Ep4: Stu McManus on his journey to Antarctica as an electrician 35:27

5M ago35:27

35:27

Stu McManus was the Winter Electrician at Rothera Research Station in 2022 - and due to unforeseen circumstances, he was the only person responsible for electrics across the season. His first Antarctic job was at King Edward Point Research Station on South Georgia. Stu talks to host Nadia Frontier about overcoming imposter syndrome, camping in the …

1
A polar voyage into the New Year, with Captain Matt Neill and Jo Johnson 36:15

6M ago36:15

36:15

Featuring buried festive duck, the A23a megaberg, and the mysterious 'King Neptune's Court'. What's it like to explore and study the remote frozen places where people have never been before? Nadia Frontier talks to Captain Matt Neill of the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough from the Southern Ocean, and geologist and experienced Antarctic f…

1
A polar voyage into the New Year 36:15

6M ago36:15

36:15

Featuring buried festive duck, the A23a megaberg, and the mysterious 'King Neptune's Court'. What's it like to explore and study the remote frozen places where people have never been before? Nadia Frontier talks to Captain Matt Neill of the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough from the Southern Ocean, and geologist and experienced Antarctic f…

1
It's Christmas in Antarctica, with Aurelia Reichardt, Matt Hughes & Jo Cole 37:31

6M ago37:31

37:31

Featuring a missing frozen turkey, après-ski cinema, and Antarctic Secret Santa. Nadia Frontier talks to the team at Rothera Research Station about spending the festive season in Antarctica. How does this remote community make Christmas special while investigating climate change in Earth's frozen places? Produced in partnership with Boffin Media.…

1
It's Christmas in Antarctica 37:31

6M ago37:31

37:31

Featuring a missing frozen turkey, après-ski cinema, and Antarctic Secret Santa. Nadia Frontier talks to the team at Rothera Research Station about spending the festive season in Antarctica. How does this remote community make Christmas special while investigating climate change in Earth's frozen places?…

1
Trust: how can research communicators earn the trust of the public? 33:54

6M ago33:54

33:54

In this episode, host Peter Barker reflects on the unique archive of over fifty Research Comms episodes to bring together insights from those conversations around the theme of trust. Whether we’re discussing vaccine hesitancy, climate scepticism, young people’s engagement with science and scientists or the rise of conspiracy theorists, all of these…

1
S3 Ep3: Joe Clay on small community living, and keeping the power on in Antarctica 14:27

6M ago14:27

14:27

Imagine being the person in charge of keeping the power on at a research base in Antarctica. That's Joe's job, no pressure. Joe Clay was the Generator Mechanic at Rothera Research Station during Antarctic Winter 2022. Joe chats to host Nadia Frontier about finding his calling with an apprenticeship in the Merchant Navy, travelling the world as an e…

1
S3 Ep2: Alice Clement on scientific fishing and life as an Marine Assistant in Antarctica 23:56

7M ago23:56

23:56

Alice Clement chats to host Nadia Frontier about her work as a fisheries scientist at King Edward Point Research Station in South Georgia, and moving to Rothera Research Station as Dive Officer and Marine Assistant. Alice talks about her journey into working as a fisheries scientist, the krill fishing industry, and what actually happens on a resear…

1
S3 Ep1: Louis Day on boating in Antarctica and navigating ice 21:32

7M ago21:32

21:32

Louis Day was the Boating Officer at Rothera Research Station in 2022 - maintaining winter boating operations for marine biology, oceanography, and logistics around the station aged just 21 years old. Host and marine biologist Nadia Frontier talks to Louis about boating and diving in Antarctica, Jack's life-long love of sailing, and how he ended up…

1
Changing landscapes: telling stories from Antarctica against a backdrop of climate change and an evolving media | Athena Dinar | British Antarctic Survey 24:44

11M ago24:44

24:44

Athena Dinar is Deputy Head of Communications at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) where she’s spent over two decades conveying the captivating magic of Antarctica and the vital research scientists carry out there. In this episode of Research Comms, Athena speaks with us about the shifting narratives surrounding the climate crisis and how digital …

1
Unpacking ‘impact’: What does it mean, and how do you know if you’re achieving it? | Prof. Mark Reed | Fast Track Impact 32:29

12M ago32:29

32:29

Professor Mark Reed is a Professor and Research Centre Director at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) as well as the founder and Chief Executive of Fast Track Impact, an organisation that provides researchers with evidence-based tools and training to empower them to use their work to change the world for good. In this episode of Research Comms, Mark h…

1
How can research-adjacent professionals pave the way for a more collaborative research and innovation ecosystem? | Sarah McLusky | Research-Adjacent Consultant 33:04

1y ago33:04

33:04

Sarah McLusky is a Research-Adjacent Trainer and Consultant who works with universities in communications and engagement, education and curriculum enhancement, training STEM ambassadors and organising large scale outreach events, as well as hosting the recently-launched Research Adjacent podcast, among others. In this episode of Research Comms, we …

1
Fusion energy: how to prepare the world for transformative technology | Celestine Cheong | UK Atomic Energy Authority 38:11

1y ago38:11

38:11

Celestine Cheong is Head of External Communications at the UK Atomic Energy Authority. In this episode of Research Comms she talks about the work of UKAEA to push for the delivery of sustainable fusion energy, about the challenges of communicating science that is at times, very complex, and about managing public expectations around the development …

1
How can we improve public understanding of artificial intelligence to ensure it works for all? | Sophie McIvor | Alan Turing Institute 23:13

1y ago23:13

23:13

Sophie McIvor is the Director of Communications and Engagement at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. She has been in the role since the Institute opened in 2015 and is spearheading its new strategy focused on public engagement with AI. In this episode of Research Comms we discuss why…

1
Meet Mozart The Amazing Talking Parrot 3:43

2y ago3:43

3:43

Mozart live in the lobby of a small hotel in Umbria, Italy. This parrot not only talks but can imitate a wide range of sounds and conversation snips...spend a moment in the hotel lobby with Mozart and Me.By Samantha Hodder

1
Walk With Me: Umbria, Italy 7:21

2y ago7:21

7:21

Walk with me in Umbria, Italy. How do you capture the sound of wind with a microphone, in a valley between two ancient towns, on a trail between olive groves? Relax and imagine you're there with me...Brought to you by the Audio Love Newsletter; Where sound and word meet.Subscribe here: https://bit.ly/AudioLoveNewsletter…

1
ASMR Antarctica: Walking Meditation 4:30

2y ago4:30

4:30

ASMR Walking together in Antarctica So let's just stop and take 3 deep breathes: 1 ... 2.... 3 And now just listen. We’re going to go on a walk, together. While you’re taking these steps, can you feel the pebbles part under your feet? Let’s take 10 steps together. Count them out in your mind. Only the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Are you w…

1
Always Be Recording 8:09

2y ago8:09

8:09

After a long hiatus, due to the pandemic, I’ve recently started going to the cinema again, and it feels great. There’s something about seeing a film in a festival, actually in person, that feels extravagant…even if you have to still wear a mask. Because, when you’re at a festival, you get to see the filmmakers in person, and often the actors or sub…

1
ASMR Antarctica - The Sound of Water 9:56

2y ago9:56

9:56

If you’ve ever been on boat, or a ship, maybe you’ll agree with me that the sound of water hitting the hull, is very calming. It can put you to sleep. It can let your mind wander. It can allow you the space to imagine being somewhere else. Maybe this is not a surprising statement, but I love sound. Raw, in the moment, nature, natural noise, chatter…

1
Armchair Anthropologist 9:21

2y ago9:21

9:21

When I first started doing radio work back in the 1990s, it felt awkward to listen to my own tape. When I heard the listened back, nothing about my voice seemed familiar. It was like it could have been someone else. Definitely someone younger, less assured, ah, and, ummm who was sometimes prone to up-talking. Eventually, this changed. Practice, pra…

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British Antarctic Survey Podcasts

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