Thriving in polar science with ADHD: The strengths of neurodiversity
Claudette Lopez writes for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-22 March), a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about...
Welcome to VERCIDA website.
Skip to main contentFor over 100 years since its discovery, visitors to Antarctica were overwhelmingly men. It was not until the 1980s that the first British female scientists began working at the frozen continent. The ambition for this initiative is to deliver a more diverse and inclusive future for UK Polar science – a future that reflects the diversity in British society today.
To achieve this we started by delivering a two-year programme of work that enhanced understanding of current barriers, explored ways to nurture and increase diversity in Polar Science, and pilot positive action to help boost diversity and support inclusive culture in UK polar science.
Diversity in Polar Science – a starting point
To understand the current Polar Science diversity landscape we examined data from the 2017 Office of National Statistics Research Report on the percentages of minority groups in UK society and compared these with data from STEM higher education and BAS (as a proxy for UK polar science). This created a benchmark from which to measure improvement.
*BAME stands for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, and has been an acronym used in demographic statistical analysis. The term isn’t widely accepted and used anymore, and we are looking at better ways to describe people from racial and minority ethnic backgrounds in the UK. A change in perspective in this developing conversation has led to the use of Global Ethnic Majority (GEM), which we will be looking to include in our language going forward.
Boosting diversity in Polar Science – Steering Group
A Steering Group, Co-chaired by representatives from the British Antarctic Survey, the University of Cardiff and University of Exeter, drives the initiative forward. Convened in September 2019, the committee comprises of representatives and experts from:
Delivering success – making an impact
Our delivery plan includes events and engagement activities aimed at nurturing active dialogue across the polar community in the UK and internationally.
Get involved with the Diversity in Polar Science Initiative
Our initiative needs advocates, and people who can amplify the momentum for diversity and inclusion within their own organisation. Please contact Elsa Quinn if you are a member of the UK polar science community and would like to get involved.
Contributions relating to the following are most welcome:
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Contact usThriving in polar science with ADHD: The strengths of neurodiversity
Claudette Lopez writes for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-22 March), a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about...
A very unique Polar Pride event - Celebrating the contributions of LGBT+ people in polar research
Our colleagues Millicent Harding and Louise Mercer from the UK Polar Network and as part of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) share...
Diversity in UK Polar Science - Why Pride matters for doing better polar research
This is a featured guest blog by Dr James Lea from the University of Liverpool as part of our wider collaborations through the Diversity in UK Polar S...
Dame Jane Francis - Presidential Address at the British Science Festival 2023
How does a woman born in 1950s England go on to earn a PhD in geology, spend weeks at a time researching in Antarctica, become the director of the Bri...
Project Management Cambridge, UK
Description Are you great at project management? Interested in all things polar? Then we want to hear from you! The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) needs an exceptional Project Man...
Mechanical Engineer Cambridge, UK
Description British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an exceptional AIMP Mechanical Engineer to join our team. BAS delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary resear...
Project Management Cambridge, UK
Description British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an exceptional Project Manager to join our 20-person strong team within the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Progra...
Project Coordinator Cambridge, UK
Description British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an exceptional IT Project Coordinator to join our IT team. BAS delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary resea...
Network Engineer United Kingdom
Description British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an outstanding Deck Engineer to join the crew of the RRS Sir David Attenborough. BAS delivers and enables world-leading i...
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