Iceworld British Antarctic Survey

Featuring ammonites shaped like giant paperclips, curry cooking in the field, and emergency mud liquidation techniques - this team of fossil hunters are fresh off their expedition to Antarctica's Seymour Island. Led by Dr Rowan Whittle from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), they want to understand how life on the Antarctic sea floor evolved over the last 100 million years.

Host Nadia Frontier chats to Rowan about leading her first major Antarctic expedition, along with team members Dr James Witts from the Natural History Museum, BAS paleobiologist Dr Saurav Dutta, and Field Guide Sam Hunt. 

Meteorologist Jo Cole chats to Nadia Frontier about fixing weather stations in remote locations, and seeing the sun return after Winter from the top of a mountain.
Being a meteorologist in Antarctica is a busy job! From launching weather balloons, to making hourly observations to support flights on the frozen continent, the information captured is important for safe operations *and* science.
Produced in partnership with Boffin Media.

In a conversation ranging from ice climbing to the trials of wearing a kilt in Antarctica, Nadia chats to Niall Macleod, the Plant Operator at Rothera Research Station through Antarctic Winter. 

Niall's route to Antarctica was through agriculture, quarrying and civil engineering - before deciding that he wanted to do something for the environment. His job is to look after the research station's unusual machinery, and to keep the snow at bay as it blows through in the darkest period of the year. In his own words: he likes helping people.

This episode's Antarctic glossary:


'Snowcat' - a big truck on caterpillar tracks that can be used to clear snow or tow heavy loads.
'Scheds' - the high frequency radio communication set up at field camps so that the station can communicate with field parties.
'Smooth Operator' - the name of Niall's claimed climbing route... and tongue-in-cheek nickname for himself.


Iceworld is presented and recorded by Nadia Frontier, and produced in partnership with Boffin Media.

A field guide is one of the most highly skilled and varied jobs in Antarctica. From accompanying scientists on expeditions, training their colleagues to survive on the ice and fixing sledges, there's never a dull day.

Polar field guides Ed Luke and Matthew Shepherd talk to Nadia about life on the ice and extreme camping. 

Produced in partnership with Boffin Media; cover photo by Ed Luke.

How many people can say they've lost count of their visits to Antarctica? In this special International Women's Day episode, Professor Dame Jane Francis (Director of British Antarctic Survey) chats to Nadia about her journey into science, fossil hunting in Antarctic mud, launching the RRS Sir David Attenborough with Sir David Attenborough, and leading change.

Produced in partnership with Boffin Media.

Imagine cooking for 160 with only frozen, tinned and dried food... for a whole season. We all know the stomach is the route to the heart, so the meals need to feel fresh, nourishing and varied. Chefs might have the most important job at Rothera Research Station!

In this episode, Summer chef Sadhbh Moore chats to host Nadia Frontier about food sustainability, pickling and preserving, and channelling Hemsley + Hemsley. Winter Chef Katy talks about cooking with staff as the solo chef on station, her love of skiing, and the instinctive recipe adaptations that are part of being a chef in Antarctica.

Produced in partnership with Boffin Media.