April Update

Vision Mātauranga and new partnership with Deep South

The Deep South National Science Challenge Kāhui Māori (Māori Council) has agreed to jointly support the Antarctic Science Platform to provide advice in relation to the Platform’s Vision Mātauranga whāinga (goals), which are to:

• Foster a shared understanding of research priorities and limitations

• Build capacity, capability and diversity

• Improve science excellence through Mātauranga Māori

• Increase Māori participation in Antarctic research.

With complementary mandates, a joint Kāhui will help both Platform and Deep South-funded researchers to build additional linkages and collaboration through Vision Mātauranga initiatives.

We warmly welcome the Kāhui and look forward to sharing more details on our websitein the coming weeks.

An opportunity not to be missed

The Antarctic Science Platform is announcing new research funding through a one million dollar Opportunities Fund. The fund will provide grants of up to $100,000 per application.

The Opportunities Fund aims to support researchers to take advantage of unexpected, high priority opportunities that are not supported by other means. Such opportunities could leverage an important capability, a substantial international effort or contribute a unique and critical New Zealand perspective. The proposed project must deliver excellent science that is closely aligned with the Platform mandate. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be assessed by international peer-review involving our distinguished Independent Science Panel and the Platform Leadership Team. The final investment decision will be made by the Platform Steering Group.

Details on how to apply and more information will be released on our website in the near future. In the meantime, anyone who wishes to discuss a potential application proposal is urged to contact Platform Director Nancy Bertler

Modelling Hub

The research fellows have had a number of meetings with Project PIs and are making good progress towards defining work plans, considering priorities across the platform and disciplines. It was a great milestone for the new fellows to be introduced to the Antarctic community and to explore their collective wealth of expertise that will catalyse our ability to improve future projections.

A message from Platform Director Nancy Bertler

On behalf of the Platform Leadership Team, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the continued hard work of our researchers, expert groups and the wider platform and Antarctic science community during these unprecedented times, as New Zealand and countries around the world went into lockdown. After a hugely successful first science season we’ve continued working from home, held Steering Group and team meetings online, and are planning for seasons ahead. The four core projects are progressing well despite the current challenges – you can read more about each of them here. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment over the past few weeks. I am sending my best wishes to you and your families, wherever they may be around the world, stay safe