Iceworld British Antarctic Survey
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- Gesellschaft und Kultur
Welcome to Antarctica. What's it like living and working in one of the most extreme environments in the world? Recorded at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula, the team talk extreme living, climate science, expeditions and becoming a community. From polar scientists to plumbers, these are interviews with ordinary people who are doing extraordinary jobs with British Antarctic Survey.
Hosted and recorded by Nadia Frontier, marine biologist. A podcast from British Antarctic Survey, produced in partnership with Boffin Media.
++ Joining us in 2024? Why not start with Series 3.
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S3 Ep9: Watching wild weather in Antarctica, with Jo Cole
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 important for safe operations *and* science.
Produced in partnership with Boffin Media. -
S3 Ep8: From Arran to Antarctica with Niall Macleod
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. His job is to look after the research station's unusual machinery, and to keep the snow at bay as it blows through in the darkest period of the year. In his own words: he likes helping people.
This episode's Antarctic glossary:
'Snowcat' - a big truck on caterpillar tracks that can be used to clear snow or tow heavy loads.
'Scheds' - the high frequency radio communication set up at field camps so that the station can communicate with field parties.
'Smooth Operator' - the name of Niall's claimed climbing route... and tongue-in-cheek nickname for himself.
Iceworld is presented and recorded by Nadia Frontier, and produced in partnership with Boffin Media. -
S3 Ep7: Leading polar expeditions, with Ed Luke and Matthew Shepherd
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 with Boffin Media; cover photo by Ed Luke. -
S3: Leadership and a life on the ice, with Professor Dame Jane Francis
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 leading change.
Produced in partnership with Boffin Media. -
S3 Ep6: Chefs of Antarctica, with Sadhbh Moore and Katy Rumm
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 sustainability, pickling and preserving, and channelling Hemsley + Hemsley. Winter Chef Katy talks about cooking with staff as the solo chef on station, her love of skiing, and the instinctive recipe adaptations that are part of being a chef in Antarctica.
Produced in partnership with Boffin Media. -
S3 Ep5: Ryan Mathews on diving and exploring in Antarctic Winter
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-site laboratory (The Bonner Lab).
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Produced in partnership with Boffin Media; cover photograph of Ryan Mathews by Marek Figielski.