Mia Hurst, a PhD student at University of St Andrews, recently participated in the NERC BAS Advanced Training Short Course, where a group of early career researchers learned how to work in the polar environment:
“In March 2026, I had the opportunity to take part in the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Advanced Training Short Course in Svalbard, hosted at the NERC Arctic Research Station in Ny-Ålesund. Designed for early-career polar researchers, the course provides a hands-on introduction to living and working safely in polar environments, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and practical field skills. Travelling via Oslo, Tromsø and Longyearbyen, we eventually arrived in Ny-Ålesund. Surrounded by glaciers and fjords, it provided an incredible setting to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world fieldwork.
A core component of the course was safety training. This included polar bear awareness and rifle handling, alongside essential field protocols such as radio communication, risk assessment, and operating in extreme conditions. Field activities focused on two main themes: glaciology and marine science. On the glaciers around Kongsfjorden, we used radar systems and GPS equipment to measure ice thickness and track glacier change, gaining first-hand experience of techniques often only encountered in theory by most of us on the course. We also had the chance to dig snow pits and extract shallow ice cores, providing insight into past climate conditions. In contrast, marine fieldwork took a slightly different form during our visit. Due to an unexpected leak in the research vessel Teisten, we carried out all of our sampling from land. Working in small teams from the wharf, we deployed plankton nets to collect samples, successfully catching copepods which we later examined under field microscopes. We also conducted CTD casts directly from the shoreline, gathering oceanographic data. A highlight of this work was the ingenuity of our field guide, Sarah, who constructed a bespoke rig that allowed us to safely lower equipment from the wharf while operating in harnesses. Despite the logistical challenge, the experience provided a valuable reminder that effective field science often depends on creativity and teamwork as much as planning.
Life on base was equally important to the experience. Daily debriefs, collaborative problem-solving, and shared responsibilities fostered a strong sense of teamwork across a diverse group of PhD students from different disciplines and institutions. With limited connectivity and a remote setting, the course encouraged us to fully engage with both the science and each other.
Overall, the BAS Advanced Training Short Course offered an invaluable introduction to polar fieldwork, combining practical training with an unforgettable Arctic experience. It was a unique opportunity to step away from our computers and develop the skills needed to operate in some of the most challenging and rewarding environments on Earth.”
You can follow Mia’s posts on LinkedIn.
