What are the aims of the course?
The course is designed for professionals (including early career), with an interest in the polar regions and working in a wide range of sectors, including business, industry, government, policy making, charities and voluntary organisations, and scientific research.
It aims to help participants:
- learn about the polar regions and the opportunities and challenges of these environments
- think through and develop new approaches and responses to living and operating in the rapidly changing Arctic and Antarctic
- meet, discuss and network with leading polar experts from around the world
What will I be studying?
The course is divided into five modules:
- Introduction to the polar regions
- Governance of the polar regions
- Antarctic science and climate change
- Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and social change
- A workshop on resource use and sustainable development in the polar regions
Teaching will comprise keynote lectures by world experts from SPRI and BAS, guest tutorials, discussion sessions and practical team exercises.
Delegates on the course will be able to participate in a day visit to both BAS and SPRI and tour their specialised research facilities. There will also be an opportunity to visit the world renowned Polar Museum at SPRI and see its unique collections from Scott and Shackleton's historic Antarctic expeditions.
Key learning outcomes
The course will:
- Give you an excellent introduction to the environmental, social and political challenges facing the polar regions
- Equip you with the knowledge and skills to enhance business planning and operational and policy decisions associated with your professional involvement in the polar regions
- Help you and your organisation identify strategic opportunities and challenges in the polar regions
- Enable you to join an international network of polar leaders from industry, government, charities and voluntary organisations, and academia
Location of the course
The course will be based at the University of Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education, in historic Madingley Hall, just outside Cambridge. Delegates will live and work at Madingley Hall and be able to dine in its traditional hall.
Entry and attendance requirements
All teaching will be in English. You must feel confident that you are able to follow lectures and seminars and take part in the discussions in English. Acceptance on to the course is by application only and requires the completion of an online application form. Chosen delegates will be expected to attend all of the course and cannot participate on individual days. A certificate of attendance will be given to those who complete the full programme.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is the Institute of Continuing Education's secure online resource space. You'll be able to download lectures, reading materials and other information resources produced for the course, and find links to relevant external resources. The VLE will also enable you to keep in touch with your fellow delegates.
Course fee
The delegate fee covers all course costs, including teaching and lecturing, hard copy and online learning materials, accommodation and meals, and local transport in Cambridge. It does not include travel costs to and from the course.
If you apply before 1 December 2016 you will qualify for the early-bird rate of £2,250
If you apply after 1 December 2016, you will be charged at the full rate of £2,995.
Download the course brochure (PDF file)
Download the Course Specification
Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI)
SPRI, a part of the University of Cambridge, is a centre of excellence in the study of the Arctic and Antarctic. Research covers the physical and social sciences - a particular specialisation is the relationship between glaciers, ice sheets and environment change.
About 60 people work at the Institute, including some 25 doctoral students and a Master's programme in Polar Studies with about 10 students each year. SPRI also houses the world's premier polar library, extensive archives on the history of polar exploration, and a museum with displays of both the history and contemporary significance of the polar regions.
British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
BAS, an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the polar regions. Its skilled science and support staff, based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the polar regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet.
Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with excellent infrastructure help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs.
