Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Royal Society of Victoria’s INTernational Research Expedition Polar Inter-Disciplinary Voyage.  (RSV- INTREPID)

Outline
RSV- INTREPID provides for a voyage of scientific endeavour over two Antarctic summer seasons involving up to 110 young scientists (young men and women selected on merit from their second last year at schools throughout Australia), participating in a range of shipboard and shore based research and experimental projects designed to complement The IPY scientific programme. Scientific agencies will be invited to assist in designing these projects. Expeditioners will rendezvous with the scientists and field staff manning IPY polar research stations to interact with their scientific programmes.*RSV-INTREPID will provide for one young scientist (to be nominated by their respective government) from each of those countries which are signatories to The Antarctic Treaty and participating in Antarctic IPY programmes, to join us. (It is hoped that countries operating Arctic IPY programmes will adopt the RSV-INTREPID concept, and, on a reciprocal basis, offer an opportunity for students from Antarctic Treaty countries to participate in Arctic summer programmes). RSV-INTREPID will include a group of polar research scientists to work closely (mentor) with our young expeditioners.The young scientists will be required to produce a record of their findings and report shortly after disembarkation. Our chartered Class 1 icebreaker will be equipped with a state- of-the-art computer and communications facility which will include web-cam and other interactive means to enable each expeditioner to communicate with The World through The Society’s EOC facility in Melbourne. The expedition will run to a ship-based watch-keeping routine (both ashore and afloat) thereby maintaining a 24 hour scientific programme, and enabling constant communication with the outside World over the entire voyage (real-time, live action, instant access), so that keen interest is maintained, such that RSV- INTREPID can be projected as the flagship of the Antarctic IPY programme.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
RSV-INTREPID aims to integrate the 6 Themes being addressed in 1.4 above into a comprehensive EO&C matrix, thus fully addressing the concept, aim and objectives of The IPY Joint Committee.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration will be addressed in two ways:a. by young scientists representing countries, in addition to Australia, working in Antarctica, and,b. through the participation of young men and women selected from Antarctic countries to work in The Arctic. In this regard it is hoped that educational, outreach and communication opportunities will be enhanced by a reciprocal arrangement with an Arctic ‘INTREPID’ programme offering young scientists from Antarctic Treaty signatory countries the opportunity to participate.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
RSV-INTREPID will explore The Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic in the sector (approximately Longitude 45 degrees East to 160 degrees East/ Latitude 60 degrees South to the coastal fringe) i.e. from Enderby Land east to George V Land.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/07 – 01/08      12/08 – 01/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
RSV-INTREPID will be conducted using a Class 1 Icebreaker and apart from access to Antarctic stations and other IPY sites for participation in both Australian and international scientific programmes, should be able to offer support for other agencies conducting IPY programmes, including those agencies running ‘Years’ (e.g. IYPE, IHY and eGY)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The Society aims to see RSV- INTREPID leave an understanding of the vital importance of the polar environment through its ongoing promotion of science education, technology and discovery. It plans to promote and commemorate future milestones in Antarctic exploration and discovery, such as the centenary of the discovery of The South Magnetic Pole in 2009 and The South Pole in 2011.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator

RSV-INTREPID will utilize a Class 1 Icebreaker chartered exclusively which will relieve much of the burden imposed by logistics. All communications, fuel, victuals, rotary wing air support and ship-shore movement will be organic and will operate and comply with polar OH&S requirements.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Our proposal has been forwarded to ANCAR with which The Society has been in contact during the development of this project. Its ‘endorsement’ will be reported to The IPY JC through its Chairman. Each of The Antarctic Treaty countries will be approached to participate and we remain a Member of The UN Assoc. of Australia.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

An autonomous initiative to be launched as part of The Society’s own EO&C programme to commemorate its sesquicentenary and long association (since 1874) with Antarctic exploration and past Polar Years

How will the project be organised and managed?
The Council of The Society supported by its Project Committee and an advisory panel consisting of experienced Antarctic expeditioners and researchers drawn from key national agencies (eg. The Bureau of Meteorology and The Australian Antarctic Division), as well as from educational institutions and other authorities, such as The ANARE Club.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
RSV-INTREPID will be based on The IPY’s EO&C model, suitably adjusted to meet the science education, outreach and communications architecture of The Antarctic programme - these elements being integrated to underpin the over-arching concept of RSV-INTREPID. These plans will be refined during the approval process.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The young scientists’ records and findings including media and other associated scientific data will be published by The Society and made available to IPY archives. The Society will archive these records in its polar library and selected reports will appear in its Journal, ‘Proceedings of The Royal Society of Victoria. A special IPY edition of The ‘Proceedings’, will be published (with each scientific discipline being invited to contribute).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Society proposes to fund RSV-INTREPID from its Foundation, grants from Australian federal and state governments, corporate sponsors, Rotary International and kindred organisations. Funding will also be sourced from international agencies sending young scientists to participate, as well as from the proceeds of imaginative promotional and marketing ventures. Our Project Committee is confident with its financing proposal.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
RSV-INTREPID has received widespread interest and support from theAustralian scientific and science education community. Both Danish and Belgian diplomatic representatives have indicated their support for the concept. The Royal Societies of Australia and New Zealand have been contacted and expressions of interest have been received and from various other organisations associated with Antarctica.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Captain William McAuley
The Royal Society of Victoria
8 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, Victoria
3000
Australia

Tel: (613) 9663 5259
Mobile: (613) 0428 486 018
Fax: (613) 9663 2301
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information