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| Established | 1920; 105 years ago (1920) |
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| Director | Professor Richard Powell |
| Location | Cambridge ,United Kingdom 52°11′54.40″N0°07′34.45″E / 52.1984444°N 0.1262361°E /52.1984444; 0.1262361 |
| Website | www |
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TheScott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) is a centre for research into thepolar regions andglaciology worldwide. It is a sub-department of theDepartment of Geography in theUniversity of Cambridge, located onLensfield Road in the south ofCambridge.
SPRI was founded byFrank Debenham in 1920 as the national memorial to CaptainRobert Falcon Scott and his companions, who died on their return journey from theSouth Pole in 1912. It investigates issues relevant to theArctic andAntarctic in theenvironmental sciences,social sciences andhumanities. The institute is home to the Polar Museum and has some 60 personnel, consisting of academic, library and support staff plus postgraduate students, associates and fellows attached to research programmes.[1] The institute also hosts theScientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
SPRI has several research groups. Notable researchers that have been based at the institute includeJulian Dowdeswell, British diplomatBryan Roberts, and glaciologistElizabeth Morris.
This group's work involves quantifying the state of thecryosphere usingremote 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 theLarsen Ice Shelf, the rapid retreat of ice in western Antarctica, and increased summer melting in northern Canada. This work has contributed greatly to understandingclimate change.
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 byicebreakers in the polar seas.
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.
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 theRussian North.
.jpg) The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute | |
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| Type | University Museum |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Arts Council England accredited |
| Collections | Objects, art, archive and picture library holdings related to polar research and exploration |
| Visitors | 51,469 (2019)[2] |
| Director | Professor Richard Powell |
| Curator | Dr David Waterhouse |
| Architect | SirHerbert Baker |
| Owner | University of Cambridge |
| University of Cambridge Museums | |
SPRI operates thePolar Museum, which presents a range of objects, artworks, documents and photographs from the institute's extensive polar collections. The collections include material related to polar history, exploration, science, art and Arctic cultures.[3][4][5]
In 2010 the renovated Polar Museum opened its doors to the public; the reopening was met with widespread acclaim and the museum was shortlisted for theArt Fund'sMuseum of the Year prize in 2011.[6] It contains displays of Arctic art and artefacts, material from the nineteenth-century search for the elusiveNorthwest Passage, relics from theHeroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (including the last letters of Captain Scott), and contemporary research and policy relating to the polar regions.
As well as permanent exhibits, the museum regularly hosts special exhibitions. The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10:00 – 16:00. Admission is free.[7]
The museum is one of the eight museums and botanic garden which make up theUniversity of Cambridge Museums consortium.[8]
Important material representing a wide of range of people concerned with the polar regions is cared for by the Scott Polar Research Institute and on display in the Polar Museum includes:
The wide-ranging collections include art and photographic works by several notable artists and photographers, including:
The institute is actively adding to its collection of contemporary polar art through its artist in residence scheme, managed by the Friends of SPRI, which enables an artist to travel to the Antarctic and the Arctic each year. Artists includeEmma Stibbon, Lucy Carty,Kat Austen and Shelly Perkins.[12]
The Scott Polar Research Institute houses the world's most comprehensive polar library and archives.[13] The institute'sThomas H. Manning Archive contains an unparalleled collection of manuscript material relating to research in and exploration of the polar regions, For scientists and scholars, the library offers a collection developed since the 1920s covering all subjects relating to the Arctic, the Antarctic, and to ice and snow wherever found. For industry, it is a prime information source on such subjects as exploration and exploitation of natural resources and on the environmental implications of such activities in the polar regions; on the design of ice-strengthened shipping and selection of sea routes; and on problems of construction and transportation in cold environments. The library also offers an unrivalled resource for the needs of international relations and strategic defence.
The Picture Library contains a photograph collection from both the Arctic and Antarctic, mainly depicting the history of exploration in the polar regions, including much material from the expeditions of Scott and Shackleton. TheThomas H. Manning Polar Archives are named in honour of the British-Canadian Arctic researcher, a university alumnus.[14] Its work includes anoral history programme which interviews people who have worked in the polar regions over the years. Due to high demand, the Polar Archives runs a booking scheme for anyone wishing to consult material.[15]
The most recent addition to the library is theShackleton Memorial Library, which in 1999 won a regional award from theRoyal Institute of British Architects.[16] This part of the building holds much of the library's Antarctic collection, as well as some of its subject-based material.
The library is an active member of thePolar Libraries Colloquy, an international organization ofLibrarians and others concerned with the collection, preservation, and dissemination of information dealing with the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The library is open to anyone with a polar interest for reference work and research.
While climbingMount Erebus in November 1912 as part ofRobert Falcon Scott's ill-fatedTerra Nova expedition,Frank Debenham came up with the idea of a polar research institute.[17] After the end ofWorld War I, he co-founded the institute withRaymond Priestley and was its first director.[18]
The Grade II listed main building (1933–1934) is bySir Herbert Baker. The small halls have shallow domed ceilings painted with the aspect of the globe from north and south poles, byMacDonald Gill.[19] The small gardens are home to a range of sculptures and historic artefacts relating to the polar regions.
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