Britain’s Polar Empire, 1769–1982

doi:10.1017/9781108555654.013

13 - Britain’s Polar Empire, 1769–1982

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 March 2023

Daniella McCahey

Edited by

Adrian Howkins and

Peder Roberts

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Adrian Howkins: Affiliation:
University of Bristol
Peder Roberts: Affiliation:
University of Stavanger

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Summary

In 2012, Britain’s National Environmental Research Council (NERC) proposed a 25 per cent budget cut for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the organization responsible for science and administration in the British Antarctic. When BAS Director Nicholas Owens learned of these proposed cuts, he ignited a political maelstrom by taking the matter straight to the Foreign Office, sidestepping NERC Director Duncan Wingham. In response, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged support for BAS and ordered the funding dispute resolved. Then the crisis worsened when Owens was suspended and temporarily replaced by Ed Hill, the director of the National Oceanographic Centre.

Keywords

Britain polar Arctic Antarctic empire imperialism maritime exploration geopolitics science

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of the Polar Regions , pp. 302 - 324

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108555654.013 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2023

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