1. Athena Dinar Senior Science Communications Manager
Communicating BAS science and operations Making an impact and what this means for you
Athena Dinar
Senior Science Communications Manager

2. Why should we communicate our science and operations ?

3. The Communications Team
Linda Capper
Head of Communications
Sarah
Vincent
Senior Corporate & Internal Communications Manager
Corporate &
Internal
Communications
Media, Stakeholder & Public Engagement
Digital Comms
New Polar Ship & Associated Projects
Jamie
Oliver
Publishing & Education Manager
Pete
Bucktrout
Photographer/
Cameraman/
Visual asset manager
Creative Services
Athena Dinar
Senior Science Comms
Manager
Kim
Quince
PR & Education Officer
Shelley Bolderson
Comms & Engagement – new polar ship
Layla Batchellier
Digital Comms Officer

4. How we engage people in polar science
Press releases and media liaison
Social Media
Websites
Events and Exhibitions

5. What do we want BAS to be recognised for?
BAS is a world leader in Antarctic research
BAS is a NERC centre of excellence and expertise for UK Polar Research
BAS conducts policy-relevant scientific research in important areas including climate change, space weather, energy and global food security
BAS is an independent, authoritative source of information and expertise about the polar regions
BAS employs the best talent for its science and operations
BAS is the ‘hub’ of UK polar science, working in partnership with high-calibre researchers from the UK and international university sectors
Key message is: ‘Polar science matters to everyone’

6. 500 – 2500 individual items of media coverage per month

7. Antarctic media visits programme
Up to two media visits per year:
Last two seasons BBC Horizon crew at Halley; ‘Antarctica - Ice Station Rescue’ (May 2017) & ‘Ice Station Antarctica’ (May 2016)
Forthcoming media visit to Rothera by Financial Times in January 2018 comprising:
- Online and newspaper reports
- Special magazine issue
- London ‘summit’
- Micro-site

8. Communications Campaign – new polar ship
RRS Sir David Attenborough
Ongoing communications campaign includes key milestones –
- ‘hull in the water’ (March 2018)
- ‘official launch event’ (October 2018)

9. Website -

10. BAS official social media sites
22,000+ followers and growing
Weekly reach circa 18,000
@bas_jobs
@bas_news
260,000+

11. Your audience and ours Our followers and “Likees”(?) include:
Politicians and Government departments like BEIS
International institutions like NASA
The media and individual journalists
Education: primary schools up to universities
Families and everyday people

12. Social media – be aware
Your blogs, posts and tweets are often the first port of call for journalists
Posts you made months ago can turn up as ‘news’
Follow BAS guidelines for social media use

13. Get involved ! Writers for articles – newspapers and magazines
Enthusiastic volunteers for radio interviews, blogs
Writers for articles – newspapers and magazines
Articles for internal newsletter Ice Sheet. Keep in touch!
STEM Ambassador Scheme to engage young people in STEM
Online and social media – responsibly please!