Scott Polar Research Institute

The Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) is a centre for research into the polar regions and glaciology worldwide. It is a sub-department of the Department of Geography in the University of Cambridge, England.

Purpose

SPRI was founded in 1920 as the national memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions, who died on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912. It investigates issues relevant to the Arctic and Antarctic in the environmental sciences, social sciences and humanities. The institute has some 60 personnel, consisting of academic, library and support staff plus postgraduate students, associates and fellows attached to research programmes. [ [http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/ Welcome to SPRI] Scott Polar Research Institute. Accessed 2007-12-28.]

The institute also hosts the secretariats of the International Glaciological Society and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and is part of the NERC Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling.

Resources

SPRI claims to have the most comprehensive polar library and archives in the world. [ [http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/ Library and Archives] Scott Polar Research Institute. Accessed 2007-12-28.] In addition to scholarly books and journals, the library has an exceptional collection of archives on polar exploration. Its work includes an oral history programme which interviews people who have worked in the polar regions over the years. It is home to the ICSU's World Data Centre for Glaciology, Cambridge (WDCGC), funded by the Royal Society.

Since 1998, the collection has been housed in the Shackleton Memorial Library, which in 1999 won a regional award from the Royal Institute of British Architects. [ [http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/building/ The Shackleton Memorial Library] Scott Polar Research Institute. Accessed 2007-12-28.]

SPRI also has a museum holding artefacts (particularly from the Heroic Age of Exploration), paintings, drawings, photographs (which includes cinematographic film, lantern slides, and daguerreotypes), and other material relating to polar history, exploration, science and art. The museum is open to the public about 20 hours a week. [ [http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/ Museum] Scott Polar Research Institute. Accessed 2007-12-29.]

Research

SPRI has several research groups.

Glaciology and Climate Change Group

This group's work involves quantifying the state of the cryosphere using remote sensing by satellites, plus accurate field measurements and computer simulations, to understand the processes in detail. In particular, the group has been able to observe the melting of the Larsen Ice Shelf, the rapid retreat of ice in western Antarctica, and increased summer melting in northern Canada. This work has contributed greatly to understanding climate change.

Glacimarine Environments Group

This group's work focuses on the dynamics of ice-sheets and delivery of sediment to the marine environment. The group uses geophysical and geological evidence gathered by icebreakers in the polar seas.

Polar Landscape and Remote Sensing Group

This group's work focuses on the processes which modify the polar and sub-polar environments, such as Arctic vegetation, and snow and ice cover. Improving techniques for measuring vegetation from satellite data is an important part of the work.

Polar Social Science and Humanities Group

This is an interdisciplinary group covering the anthropology, history and art of the Arctic. Its work includes looking at politics and environmental management in the polar regions, with particular expertise in the religion, culture and politics of the Russian North.

ee also

* British Antarctic Survey
* World Data Center
* National Snow and Ice Data Center

References

External links

* [http://wdcgc.spri.cam.ac.uk/ World Data Centre for Glaciology, Cambridge]
* [http://www.jonedgar.co.uk/carse.htm portrait bust of explorer Duncan Carse by sculptor Jon Edgar, in SPRI public collection]
*Department of Geography, University of Cambridge [http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/]