Antarctic Legacy of South Africa

Antarctic Drift exhibition took place at the Visual Arts building University of Pretoria organised by Dr Charne Lavery of tge Artists and writers programme within SANAP. Full aricle will follow soon on the SANAP website. Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA National Research Foundation

The 17th Symposium on Polar Science will take place from 1–4 December 2026, hosted by the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) in Tokyo, Japan.

The symposium brings together a wide range of polar scientific research and interdisciplinary studies. Oral sessions will be held in a hybrid format, while poster sessions will take place on-site. The official language is English.

Abstract submission and registration opened on 1 August.

Key dates:

Abstract submission deadline: 4 September 2026
Notification of presentation acceptance: Early October
Participant registration deadline: 27 November 2026

The programme includes sessions on Arctic research, polar data science, Antarctic meteorites, polar biology, polar geosciences, meteorology and glaciology, space and upper atmospheric sciences, as well as a special session on “Towards IPY-5.”

More information: https://www.nipr.ac.jp/symposium2026/


国立極地研究所

📚✨ Join us at Sunset Books for a Book Launch, Coffee, Conversation & Conservation as we work together to save the Marion Island’s Seabirds.

Together, we’re supporting the eradication of invasive mice and protecting Marion Island’s unique ecosystem.

🎟️ RSVP essential — see you Saturday, 22 Aug 2026 | 11:00–12:00 at Sunset Books (73 Beach Rd, Strand).

Applications for the AMSOL 2027 Bursary Programme are now open!

If you're interested in applying, submit the required documents to [email protected] by 30 September 2026.

Current plenary "Genes, Islands, and Surprises: Two Decades of Research in the Southern Ocean, the sub-Antarctic islands, and Antarctica" by
Prof. Bettine van Vuuren
University of Johannesburg Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA National Research Foundation Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)

Another busy poster session.
Tokoloho Rampai presented research evaluating changes in sea-ice porosity under different atmospheric conditions using an optimised CT-scanning methodology for examining brine and air inclusions. Safiyyah Moos investigated artificial sea-ice desalination dynamics using optics and Digital Image Processing, while Yaxuan Zhu presented work on the mechanical properties of Antarctic sea ice using field compression tests. Siobhán Johnsonexplored “The impact of flooding and snow ice formation on physical, organic and biogeochemical properties of Antarctic sea ice.” Adding another technological dimension, Tristyn Ferreiro, presented a “Pipeline for retrieval of waves-in-ice spectra from spaceborne SAR in the Antarctic MIZ.” The poster programme also extended beyond sea ice. Liam Quinlan presented “Phytoplankton Functional Diversity as an Indicator of Southern Ocean Environmental Change”. Maria Olivier and Sandy Thomalla presented the “Pole to Promenade Exhibit: Visualising Antarctica” poster, further highlighting how science, history, archival resources and visual communication can work together to connect broader audiences with Antarctica.
The important connection between research and society was also showcased by **K. Mogotsi through the poster, “The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): Bridging Antarctic research and society through engagement and mentorship.”
Day 4 demonstrated South African polar research in all its diversity – from sea ice, oceans, phytoplankton and island ecosystems to humanities, archives, heritage and public engagement. Congratulations to everyone who presented, convened, contributed and represented the South African Antarctic community!
Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SANational Research FoundationScientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)