Calendar of events

I’m a Scientist, Stay at home ~ online event

“I’m a Scientist, Stay at home” helps young people connect with scientists, and their youth groups.

The online activity is running until July 2020.

Everyone can take part from home, so it’s especially useful while schools are closed during the Coronavirus pandemic.

It all happens online. It’s safe and secure. It’s free to take part.

Scientists from the Changing Arctic Ocean are taking part. Find them on the “I’m a Scientist, Stay at home“ webpage:

• Andrew Yool (Arctic PRIZE, ARISE, DIAPOD, APEAR)
• Emma Burns (ARISE)
• Yueng-Djern Lenn (PEANUTS)
• Margot Debyser (ARISE)

Go to “I’m a Scientist” website

World Oceans Week 2020, The Explorers Club ~ online event

Sunday 7 June 2020 at 19:00

Kick-off World Oceans Week and join some of the world’s leading explorers, scientists, and entrepreneurs for a whirlwind tour of the planet’s five oceans!

Marie Porter (Arctic PRIZE) is presenting a talk about the Arctic Ocean.

Go to “The Explorers Club” website

Polar region talk in Llandenny Village Hall, UK

Saturday 4 April 2020 at 15:00

This event has been cancelled

Sarah Reed is giving a talk on the “Trials and tribulations of living and working in the polar regions” at the Women’s Institute in Llandenny (Monmouthshire, Wales).

The talk starts at 3 pm in Llandenny Village Hall. The entrance fee is £3, and includes tea and cake.

If you would like more information, please call Mary Reed on 01291 672626

Polar Pint of Science at the Teviot Underground in Edinburgh, UK

Thursday 19 March 2020 at 18:30

This event has been postponed to a later date

The Polar Pint of Science takes in Edinburgh on 19 March at the Teviot Underground, Teviot Row Union, 13 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ. Speaking are Sian Henley and Kim Last from the CAO, and James Harrison.

Tickets are £4, on sale from Monday 2 March. Doors open at 6.30 pm. Full details here.

Polar Pint of Science at the Panton Arms in Cambridge, UK

Thursday 19 March 2020 at 18:30

This event has been postponed to a later date

The Polar Pint of Science takes in Cambridge on 19 March at the Panton Arms, 43 Panton Street, Cambridge CB2 1HL. Geraint Tarling is speaking about the importance of super-sized swarms of krill, along with two other colleagues from the British Antarctic Survey.

Tickets are £4, on sale from Monday 2 March. Doors open at 6.30 pm. Full details here.

“Polar Night” at the Nevis Centre, Fort William, UK

Saturday 22 February 2020 at 19:00

Sarah Reed and Emily Venables are hosting the “Polar Night” evening, part of the Fort William Mountain Festival.

Sarah and Emily will be showing a few photographs from the Changing Arctic Ocean research cruises they have particpated in.

The speakers at “Polar Night” are:

• Alex Burton-Johnston, a hard rock geologist at the British Antarctic Survey
• Rob Bingham, Professor of Glaciology and Geophysics at the University of Edinburgh
• Andy Smith, a mountaineer and glaciologist
• Alison Massey, Deputy Station Operations Manager for the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera research station

The event starts at 19:00 in the Studio of the Nevis Centre. Tickets are £15.00.

More info here.

“Science Lates” at Glasgow Science Centre

Friday 29 November 2019

Polar Night – Where the Werewolves Are

Life in the high Arctic during the long winter months can be dangerous. Werewolves are on the prowl and may gobble you up by the light of the moon – at least if you are a small marine zooplankton. Join us and find out what it means to be on a research ship, steaming into the Polar night to explore one of the coldest and darkest places on the Planet.

Dr Kim Last co-leads the CHASE project and is an investigator in the Arctic PRIZE and DIAPOD projects. He will give a TED-style talk to an adult audience during the Glasgow Science Centre’s Science Lates on Friday 29 November.

More details here

Coldfish cruise photos on Instagram (@nerc_cao)

28 October – 1 November 2019

Mat Cobain from the Coldfish project went on a research cruise to the Arctic Ocean in September 2019. He sailed on-board the RV Johan Hjort, one of the ships of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.

The fish samples he collected during the cruise will be analysed for their chemical composition. These data will contribute valuable understanding of how fishes, as important mediators in Arctic food webs, might shift in their ecology with climate change. By understanding changes in Arctic fish species, the consequences for fisheries and wildlife can be better modeled.

The Instagram account of the Changing Arctic Ocean will showcase some of the photographs of the Coldfish research cruise during the week starting Monday 28 October.

To view the photos, visit the CAO Instagram page (@nerc_cao).

DIAPOD cruise photos on Instagram (@nerc_cao)

14 – 18 October

A team from the DIAPOD project went on a research cruise to the Fram Strait region of the Arctic Ocean in August 2019. They sailed on-board the Royal Research Ship James Clark Ross. Led by Prof David Pond, lead investigator of DIAPOD, the  purpose of the cruise was to collect samples and data to investigate how climate change affects Calanus, a species of zooplankton.  Calanus is important because it comprises up to 90% of the zooplankton biomass in the Arctic Ocean and it is therefore a key food source for many other animals.

The Instagram account of the Changing Arctic Ocean will showcase some of the photographs of the DIAPOD research cruise during the week starting Monday 14 October.

To view the photos, visit the CAO Instagram page (@nerc_cao).

Diatom-ARCTIC fieldwork photos on Instagram (@nerc_cao)

30 September – 4 October

The Diatom-ARCTIC project visited Coral Habour in Nunavut, Hudson Bay, Canada, this summer. They sampled the sea ice in the bay to collect algae. The data from the sea ice algae provides information on how the algae supports Arctic marine food webs and how the sea ice microbes affect the Arctic Ocean’s uptake and release of CO₂.

The Instagram account of the Changing Arctic Ocean will showcase some of the photographs of the Diatom-ARCTIC fieldwork during the week starting Monday 30 September.

To view the photos, visit the CAO Instagram page (@nerc_cao).

LOMVIA fieldwork photos on Instagram (@nerc_cao)

23-27 September 2019

The LOMVIA project carried out fieldwork during summer 2019 in Iceland. The team worked along sea cliffs to gather samples from nesting guillemots. The data from their samples contributes to discovering how climate change and species competition interact to affect the distribution and abundance of these birds.

The Instagram account of the Changing Arctic Ocean will showcase some of the photographs of the LOMVIA fieldwork during the week starting Monday 23 September.

To view the photos, visit the CAO Instagram page (@nerc_cao).

CACOON fieldwork photos on Instagram (@nerc_cao)

16-20 September 2019

The CACOON project conducted fieldwork in spring 2019 in the Siberian Arctic. The team travelled to the Gulf of Buor Khaya in the Lena Delta to collect samples of ice, river water and sediments. Conditions were freezing, with temperatures as low as -20 °C.

The Instagram account of the Changing Arctic Ocean will showcase some of the photographs of the CACOON fieldwork during the week starting Monday 16 September.

To view the photos, visit the CAO Instagram page (@nerc_cao).

Wiltshire – WOMAD Festival 2019

28-28 July 2019, Charlton Park, Wiltshire

WOMAD (World of music, art and dance festival) attracts 40,000 people from across the UK and further afield. In conjunction with the UK Polar Network, Holly Jenkins of the DIAPOD project will showcase Arctic research using activities and workshops at the festival across both days. Holly will use games and experiments to highlight the unique and fragile nature of the Arctic Ocean, and to show how the poles are important globally due to their albedo effect and as part of the ocean conveyor.

Cheshire – Bluedot Festival 2019

18-21 July 2019, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire

The Bluedot Festival celebrates science and the exploration of the universe by combining music, science, cosmic culture and more, on the site of the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire.

In 2019, the Bluedot Festival celebrates 50 years since the Moon Landings with a 4-day spectacular.

Jennifer Freer (DIAPOD and CHASE projects) is volunteering at the British Antarctic Survey stand during the Festival, and will be talking to visitors about her Arctic research.

Southampton – 2019 National Oceanography Open Day

Saturday 8 June 2019, Southampton office of the National Oceanography Centre

For one day of the year the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) opens the doors of its Southampton office to the public, giving a unique view of the ground breaking science and engineering undertaken across the NOC.

The day is a mix of hands on science, exhibits and talks, with content aimed at all age groups. This is a unique opportunity to get close to our fleet of robotic vehicles and to talk to our scientists and engineers about the work that they do.

Florence Atherden (DIAPOD) will be demonstrating an interactive exhibit called “The World’s most abundant animals”. 

This event is free to attend, but registration is required and will open in May 2019. More details to follow.

Switzerland – Pint of Science

Pint of Science is a festival that takes place every May and brings researchers to your local pub to present their scientific discoveries. The talks in Switzerland are all free of charge!

Tuesday 21 May 2019 at Soho, Steinenvorstadt 54, 4051 Basel

• Anabel von Jackowski (Micro-ARC) “Will Basel become Europe’s main container port in the 21st Century?”

UK – Pint of Science

20-22 May 2019

Pint of Science is a festival that takes place every May and brings researchers to your local pub to present their scientific discoveries. All events are £4.00 per ticket and take place in the evening between 7.30 and 9.30 pm.

The following talks will be given by CAO investigators at various venues across the UK:

Monday 20 May 2019 at Frederiks, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BX

• Dr Rachel Jeffreys (ARISE) “You are what you eat: How seals help us understand climate change“

View full details and book tickets here.

Tuesday 21 May at The Raging Bull, 161 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9AA

• Dr Sian Henley (Arctic PRIZE, ChAOS) “Hotting up, melting down and changing lives near and far: the Arctic Ocean“

View full details and book tickets here.

Wednesday 22 May at King Street Brewhouse, 13 Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4RR

• Dr Kate Hendry (ChAOS) “The Arctic Ice in Our Life“

View full details and book tickets here.

Vale of Glamorgan – School Visit

Friday 22 March 2019, Atlantic College, Llantwit Major, Wales

Dr Anna Belcher (DIAPOD) is giving a TED-style talk about her polar research at the college where she completed her secondary education. Her talk will feature as part of the STEM conference organised by Atlantic College for its 6th form pupils. Anna will focus her talk on how science can help tackle the big world issues. She will draw on her experience in the Changing Arctic Ocean programme, and how the programme is investigating the impacts of climate change on the biology, ecosystems and biogeochemistry of the Arctic Ocean.

Read about Anna’s presentation at Atlantic College in their Alumni e-brief here.

Southampton – Polar Puzzles: A system on thin ice, at the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival

Saturday 16 March 2019, Lloyd’s Register Global Technology Centre, Southampton

Holly Jenkins (DIAPOD) will be showcasing work within the Changing Arctic Ocean programme, supported by the UK polar network, at the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival.

Join in the fun and games to explore: sea level rise and thermal expansion; the Arctic ecosystem (playing giant jenga); and get up close to Copepods – a vital species in the arctic food chain – with live samples and microscopes. These activities are suitable for all ages.

More information here.

Location: Lloyd’s Register Global Technology Centre, University of Southampton, Boldrewood Campus, Burgess Road, Southampton SO16 7QF, UK

Edinburgh – Institute of Engineering and Technology (South East Scotland Branch)

2 pm on Wednesday 6 March 2019, Edinburgh Napier University

Sarah Reed (DIAPOD) is giving an hour long talk about her polar research experience to the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Her talk will focus on the marine science she is carrying out as part of the DIAPOD project in the Changing Arctic Ocean programme.

View details of the talk here.

BBC Radio Wales – “Science Cafe” interview with Adam Walton

6.30 pm on Tuesday 5 February 2019

Adam Walton discusses the effects of climate change on the Arctic Ocean with  Dr Yueng-Djern Lenn  (co-lead investigator of PEANUTS), Dr Rachel Jeffreys (investigator in ARISE) and Professor Claire Mahaffey (lead investigator of ARISE).  He asks the scientists about the rapid changes happening in the Barents Sea and the implications of these for Arctic ecosystems, food webs and the climate.

The interview is first aired on Tuesday 5 February 2019 at 6.30 pm, repeated on Sunday, and can be listened to live here or after the event on the BBC Sounds app.

South Devon – Wildlife Champions Project

Tuesday 22 January 2019, Kingsbridge Community College

Dr Pennie Lindeque (DIAPOD project) visits Kingsbridge Community College as part of the Wildlife Champions Project. Organised by the Devon Wildlife Trust, the project engages school children in developing innovative solutions for local and relevant wildlife issues (including marine wildlife!). Wildlife Champions aims to make a measurable impact on wildlife and to share the successes with the wider community.

More information on the Wildlife Champions Project here.

London – Talk about the Changing Arctic Ocean

Thursday 29 October 2018, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, UK

Dr Jo Hopkins (ARISE and PEANUTS projects) is giving a talk about the “Changing Arctic Ocean” in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London.

Bremen – Museum exhibition and Q&A session

Sunday 4 November 2018, Übersee Museum, Bremen, Germany

Dr Sandra Tippenhauer (PEANUTS project) is the visiting scientist to the Übersee Museum in Bremen on the occasion of the exhibition “Antarctica: Begegnung mit Forschern des Alfred-Wegener-Instituts”. Sandra will answer questions from visitors to the museum about the polar science she does as part of her job at the Alfred Wegener Institute. More details here.

London – Photography Exhibition “The Arctic: On Our Watch”

Monday 22 to Friday 26 October 2018, International Maritime Organization, London, UK

On the occasion of the 73rd meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), a photography exhibition  is being organised by the Clean Arctic Alliance held at the International Maritime Organization in London.

The images in the exhibition were put forward by both amateur and professional photographers to show that this seemingly remote and inaccessible region is home to uniquely adapted communities and iconic wildlife. They also reflect the Arctic as it is today and how it is changing, and how important it is to the work at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and decisions that the delegates to the 73rd meeting of the MERP will make.

Amongst the images accepted for display in the exhibition were three from CAO investigators: Sarah Reed (DIAPOD), Emma Burns (ARISE), and Johan Faust (ChAOS).

More information here.

Leeds – Public lecture

Friday 19 October 2018, Howard Assembly Room, 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU

Dr Christian März, lead investigator of the ChAOS project, is giving a public lecture on “Unfrozen: reports from the ice”, describing his Arctic research and field work in the Barents Sea. Colleague Dr Jenine McCutcheon will be talking alongside Christian about her research on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The event will also have a live link up with the British Antarctic Survey research station in Antarctica.

The short talks are are aimed at a general audience and will include a chance to ask questions. We will wrap up in under an hour. You may bring your lunch in with you for this event.

Full details and free ticket information here.

Bremerhaven – Museum exhibition

Wednesday 10 October 2018, Deutsches Schifffahrts Museum, Hans-Scharoun-Platz 1, Bremerhaven, Germany

Dr Sandra Tippenhauer (PEANUTS project) is participating in the 150th celebration of the return of the first German North Polar Expedition. On 10 October 1868, the polar research vessel GRÖNLAND arrived in Bremerhaven and was received with a jubilant welcome.

To celebrate this 150th anniversary, the Deutsches Schifffahrts Museum in Bremerhaven has put together a colourful family programme. Sandra is participating in her role as a polar scientist, and will talk about her experiences of living and working on a polar research vessel.

More information here.

Shropshire – School talk

Wednesday 25 July, Concord College, Shropshire

Dr Kate Hendry takes part as a world-class subject specialist in the “University Preparation (Natural Sciences)” summer school at Concord College in Shropshire. This course is designed to support students in their applications to top universities in the UK or elsewhere.

Details about the programme on the Concord College website here.

Pint of Science

Pint of Science is an annual science festival that takes place every May and brings researchers to your local pub to explain the latest happenings in the world of science. The 2018 event runs from 14 to 16 May in 32 cities across the UK, and features scientists from the Changing Arctic Ocean programme, listed below.

Wednesday 16 May, 19.30 to 22.00 in Committee Room 9, 18 John Street, Glasgow G1 1JQ

Dr Katharina Lefering, postdoctoral researcher in the Arctic PRIZE project, to talk about “Shedding Light on the Arctic Ocean.”

The Arctic is the fastest changing environment on the planet – sea-ice is retreating and getting thinner, while freshwater in-flow and temperatures are increasing. These changes will have a major effect on all life in the Arctic which has adapted to the extreme environmental conditions. At present, it is unknown or poorly understood how the Arctic ecosystem will respond to these changes. The rapid changes observed in recent years pose a serious threat to the balance of the productivity cycle and, thereby, the entire ecosystem. Dr Lefering’s research focuses on how the underwater light field changes across the seasons. She will talk about the efforts that scientists go to in order to better understand the Arctic Ocean ecosystem and help protect it in the future.

Tickets cost £4.00. To attend this event, book here.

Tuesday 15 May, 19.30 to 21.30 in the Grub and Grog Shop, 3 Sheaf Street, Leeds LS10 1HD

Dr Allyson Tessin, Marie Curie Research Fellow in the ChAOS project, to talk about “Getting down and dirty: Unearthing the effects of rapidly disappearing Arctic sea ice.”

With sea ice shrinking to another near-record breaking low this year, the possibility of a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean by 2100 seems increasingly likely. This environmental transformation is fundamentally changing the Arctic ecosystem, affecting everything from bacteria to polar bears, and even us. Allie will talk about the nutrients that support life in the Arctic and show how scientists use mud collected from the bottom of the sea to understand how nutrient availability will change in an ice-free world. Stop by for a story of ice, mud and the adventures of Arctic scientists at sea.

Tickets cost £4.00. To attend this event, book here.

Cruise JR17005, Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean

9 May to 6 June 2018

Several members of the ARISE team are sailing on cruise JR17005. They are writing a blog about their experiences and the science they are doing during the cruise. They will endeavour to answer questions while at sea. If you have a question you would like to ask them, please visit the blog: https://ariseatsea.wordpress.com/. Details about how to submit questions are in the Q&A section.

Edinburgh – International Science Festival

Dr Sian Henley is taking part in two of the events lined up for Edinburgh’s International Science Festival. Details below.

Sunday 8 and Monday 9 April, 10 am to 4 pm at Our Dynamic Earth, 112 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live and work in the Polar Regions of Earth? Come and meet Polar scientists from Edinburgh’s Universities whose research helps us understand how our planet works –  and how it’s changing – through working in some of the most beautiful, yet hostile, environments on Earth. You can expect lots of exciting hands-on activities and demonstrations that will leave you feeling cool and inspired!

Dr Sian Henley is co-ordinating the “Meet the polar scientists” event at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The event takes place over two days, on Sunday 8 and Monday 9 April 2018.

Saturday 7 April, 1.30 pm to 3 pm at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, High School Yards, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ

Dr Sian Henley will participate in the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas as an expert during the panel discussion on “Tackling Climate Change.” This takes place at the Centre for Carbon Innovation in the city centre, from 1.30 to 3 pm on Saturday 7 April. Entry is £5.

South Devon – Westcountry Wonderwomen Workshop

Thursday 8 March, Kingsbridge Community College and Dartmouth Academy

Dr Pennie Lindeque (DIAPOD project) gives a talk at the Westcountry Wonderwomen Workshop. Taking place on International Women’s Day, this event brings together inspiring women. The Workshop is aimed at college and secondary students, and will provide students with the opportunity to gain insights from local leading ladies across a wide range of sectors (artists, scientists, pilots, surgeons, engineers and entrepreneurs).

Cambridge – School visit

Monday 12 March, Mayfield Primary School, Cambridge

Dr Anna Belcher visits Mayfield Primary School to show the children how polar animals keep warm, with some hands on experience using the “blubber glove” experiment. Anna will also give a show and tell using photos from her field work in the polar regions. She will describe her experience of living and working on a research ship for several weeks in the open ocean.

Bristol – Science Café

Monday 26 March, 8 pm to 10 pm at the Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Road, Bristol BS3 1TF

Dr Kate Hendry takes part in a Science Café at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory. These are informal gatherings to listen to an expert discussing a topical science subject and, ultimately, to stimulate a lively discussion. Kate will talk on “The Periodic Table of the Oceans”:

For life to thrive in the oceans it needs elements from across the periodic table, from phosphorous to silicon, iron to zinc. Join Kate as she uncovers the essential building blocks of everything in the sea… even the polar bears.

The event is free of charge. For more information please check the Bristol and Bath Science Café website.

London – School talk

Wednesday 28 February, 11:00-16:00 at the Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3DW

Dr Kate Hendry speaks at the “Chemistry in Action” programme, one of The Training Partnership events aimed at providing students with motivational talks in a broad range of subjects. This event is aimed at KS5 students. Kate’s talk is on “The Periodic Table of the Oceans”:

For life to thrive in the oceans it needs elements from across the periodic table, from phosphorous to silicon, iron to zinc. Join Kate as she uncovers the essential building blocks of everything in the sea… even the polar bears.

Full details and booking on The Training Partnership page here.

Modbury, Devon – School visit

Friday 9 February, Modbury Primary School, South Devon

Dr Pennie Lindeque, investigator in the DIAPOD project, gave a talk and ran an interactive workshop for Key Stage II pupils at Modbury Primary School, South Devon, on the Changing  Arctic Ocean as part of the school’s environmental awareness week.

Thurlestone, Devon – School visit

Friday 12 January, All-Saints-Primary School, Thurlestone, South Devon

Dr Pennie Lindeque, investigator in the DIAPOD project, gave a talk and ran an interactive workshop for Key Stage II pupils at All-Saints-Primary School, Thurlestone, on the Changing  Arctic Ocean as part of the school’s environmental awareness week.

Plymouth – School visit

Wednesday 15 November, Devonport High School for Girls, Plymouth

Helen Parry, investigator in DIAPOD, visited Devonport High School for Girls in her role as a STEM Ambassador. She gave a presentation to Year 12 students about “Careers in Science” and answered questions.  The talk aimed to present the nature and scope of careers within science, focusing on marine science, and to broaden the range of the opportunities available beyond the traditional options of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.  Examples were given of fieldwork undertaken in the Arctic.