Celebrating 100 years of Australian Antarctic science

Australian and international experts will come together in Canberra this week to explore the diverse Antarctic science endeavours that have emerged since Sir Douglas Mawson led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition in 1911-1914.

The Australian Academy of Science Symposium, 100 years of Antarctic Science will be held at the Shine Dome on 4 May 2012. To be opened by Dr Tony Fleming of the Australian Antarctic Division, the symposium draws together a host of speakers including:

• Dr Charles Barton of the Australian National University, who is the only person to have reached the planet’s north and south magnetic poles.
• Dr Jan Strugnell from La Trobe University, who will speak about marine biodiversity in the Southern Ocean.
• Dr Stephen Rintoul from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, who recently returned from visiting the Southern Ocean on the Aurora Australis as part of a celebration of the centenary of Mawson’s expedition.
• Professor Tim Naish from the University of Wellington, who will speak on the evolution of ice sheets and ocean levels linked with climate over the millennia.

The Australian Academy of Science will also launch its new book, Still no Mawson: Frank Stillwell’s Antarctic diaries 1911-13. Dr Fleming will launch the diaries at 12.30 pm to an audience including members of Frank Stillwell’s family.