Celebrating Diversity in Discovery: BAS Marks LGBTQ+ STEM Day and Polar Pride Day

On 18th November British Antarctic Survey (BAS) joined global celebrations to mark LGBTQ+ STEM DAY and Polar Pride Day. Polar Pride is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people in polar research and operations. The day was originally designated by the Government of the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) in 2020.

The Progress Pride flag flies outside BAS Cambridge for Polar Pride 2024

Celebrating in the UK

The Progress Pride flag flies in front of the BAS Cambridge Office in November to celebrate Polar Pride 2024. Staff joined together in person to mark how the BAS community is working together to create an inclusive environment for everyone.

Celebrating at the poles

BAS bird ecologist Richard Phillips with Julie Syltern the over-wintering doctor at the Norwegian Troll station with BAS bird researcher Ewan Wakefield. Photo credit - Trine Helgerud.

Adam Owen, the electricical maintenance technician at Bird Island Research Station, took the Polar Pride flag up to nearby Tonk Peak.

Adam Owen proudly displays the Polar Pride flag with the station in the background.

The progress Pride flag flies on the RRS Sir David Attenborough as it transits from the Falkland Islands to Rothera Research Station (Photo: Chris Walton)

The team at Harland-Cox Huset, the UK Arctic Research Station, fly the progress pride flag (Photo: Fran Pothecary)

The progress Pride flag flying at Rothera Research Station (Aurelia Reichardt)

Halley early input team celebrate Polar Pride 2024 – Luke Glazzard, Martin Bell, John Davies, Jane Bowland.

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Pride Network have worked with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), BAS and colleagues to create an engaging and inclusive online celebration to mark the day, with similar internal events being held in other organisations, including those of Diversity in UK Polar Science (DiPSI) Committee members.

Diversity in UK Polar Science

The Diversity in UK Polar Science initiative, conceived and funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office Polar Regions Department, celebrates existing diversity, and takes an important step forward to promote and enhance Antarctic science opportunities to under-represented groups, including women, people from ethnic minorities, BAME, LGBTQ+ community and people with a disability.