European Polar Board Held Spring Plenary at British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

The European Polar Board (EPB) convened its Spring Plenary on 14–15 April 2026 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) headquarters. The meeting was hosted by the UKRI/NERC member representatives, Prof Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, and Henry Burgess, Head of the NERC Arctic Office, and brought together members from across Europe’s polar research community to exchange insights and discuss shared priorities.

The plenary focused on EPB’s strategy, with discussions addressing future direction and organisational development in support of EPB’s mission. It also marked the first EPB Plenary attended by the Norwegian Polar Institute as a new EPB member organisation. Particular attention was given to preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5, 2032–2033), a major upcoming milestone for global polar research. The second day of the plenary opened with a message from former EPB Chair Gérard Jugie, who was involved during preparations for IPY-4. He congratulated EPB on its 2025 Activity Report, the organisation’s 30th anniversary in 2025, and shared his best wishes for the future.

A formal dinner was held at Downing College, providing an opportunity for informal dialogue and strengthening connections among Members.

The plenary concluded with a forward-looking perspective, reaffirming EPB’s role in fostering collaboration, shaping strategic direction, and supporting a strong and coordinated European contribution to global polar science.

The UKRI/NERC representatives to EPB, Prof. Dame James Francis, and Henry Burgess, also organised a tour of BAS facilities for EPB representatives. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about BAS’s wide-ranging polar research activities, including the production of polar maps, the use of drones and satellites to map and assess ecosystem status and marine life in both polar regions, developments in infrastructure supporting the transition to net zero, and research on space weather and its potential impacts on society. Jane Francis concluded the visit by showcasing an Antarctic ice core from the Beyond EPICA project.

On 16 April, EPB representatives joined a guided tour of the Polar Museum- Scott Polar Research Institute with Curator David Waterhouse. The EPB Executive Committee (EXCOM) also hold a meeting at the museum to follow up on plenary discussions before joining the Executive Committee of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) for a joint exchange. Members of both Executive Committees discussed priorities and reaffirmed the benefits of closer cooperation ahead of key milestones for polar science. Discussions highlighted the importance of the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5), engagement with policymakers, and maintaining strong international scientific collaboration in a changing geopolitical and funding environment. Both organisations underlined the value of independent, science-based advice, broad interdisciplinary cooperation, and supporting future research that delivers lasting impact and meaningful benefits for society.