Winter in Antarctica: Science and Journalism from the Dark

Tue 17 February

Murray Edwards College

Antarctica exerts a profound influence across all our planet, from climate and sea level rise to ecosystems and biodiversity. It is also the greatest remaining wilderness on the planet, and home to unique and vulnerable wildlife. To investigate how it is changing, and what the implications of those changes are for the planet as a whole, the British Antarctic Survey mounted a winter-time research expedition in 2025 on its icebreaking research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough. In addition to a scientific party, this expedition also included a team from ITV News, with the remit of conveying the importance, excitement and challenges of Antarctic science to the public.

This event will feature two of the scientific personnel who participated (Prof. Michael Meredith and Dr. Rhiannon Jones), who will briefly outline the scientific context for the expedition and the importance of the winter-time measurements made. It will also feature ITV Science Reporter Martin Stew, who will discuss the approach taken to bringing Antarctic science alive for the viewing public, with examples from the broadcasts shown.

Cost: Free