Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Frost Bites  

Outline
The fundamental concept of International Polar Year is of ‘an intense burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary, scientific research and observations focused on the Earth’s polar regions. ‘ The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich is keen to recognise and celebrate International Polar Year by providing a platform for explorers, scientists, artists and historians to explore the social, historical and cultural aspects of the polar regions. The aim of this programme of polar events is to inspire new audiences and encourage interdisciplinary discussion between students, the general public, artists, scientists, anthropologists and historians. The format of panel discussions, symposium, lectures, in conversation and a film season aims to provoke discussion and debate about the polar regions and polar research. The programme of talks will take place at the Museum throughout June 2007. The film season will run throughout 2007. The proposed list of speakers includes: Exploration - Ranulph Fiennes, Pen Hadow, Kari Herbert History – Huw Lewis-Jones, Max Jones, Tor Bomann-Larsen, Beau Riffenburgh Art and science – David Buckland, Sara Wheeler, Peter Wadhams, Elizabeth Morris Culture/Anthropology - Michael Bravo, Piers Vitebsky, Robin Hanbury-Tenison The film season will cover both historical films, looking at polar exploration and contemporary feature films exploring contemporary societies in the polar regions. It’s working title is ‘Freeze Frame.’ Each film will be introduced to contextualise the film appropriately.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will provide explorers, scientists, artists, historians and anthropologists the opportunity to address to the general public the central IPY educational question – Why are the polar regions and polar research important to all people on earth? It is anticipated that the Museum’s programme of polar events will offer the general public a forum to consider and discuss both historic and contemporary encounters with the polar regions and contemporary environmental issues and social concerns of the polar regions. The aim of the project is to provide a deeper understanding of the polar regions and raise awareness of current polar research being undertaken.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Currently there is no international collaboration. The budget for the project currently restricts the speakers to being UK based.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
N/a. The programme of events will all take place at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Museum requires no additional logistical support or facilities. The programme of proposed events will be included within the adult learning provision at the National Maritime Museum and will be project managed by the Museum’s Adult Programme Officer, Helen Whiteoak.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy of the programme of events is that the Museum will be recognised by the general public as offering a forum for cultural, social and environmental issues concerning the polar regions to be discussed. It will mark the beginning of a new strand of programming that will continue to explore contemporary issues and raising awareness of current polar research.

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

No

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has currently not been endorsed by IPY. I hope this expression of intent will enable it to be so.

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?
Yes

The Museum has permanent gallery space dedicated to historic polar exploration however this innovative programme of events planned for IPY is a new initiative aimed to highlight contemporary social, cultural and environmental issues at the polar regions.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project is being organised and managed by the Adult Programmes Officer at the National Maritime Museum, Helen Whiteoak as part of the Museum’s adult learning provision. She is supported by Huw Lewis-Jones, Curator of 18th Century Maritime and Imperial History at the Museum, and formerly of the Scott Polar Research Institute.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project will provide explorers, scientists, artists, historians and anthropologists the opportunity to address to the general public the central IPY educational question – Why are the polar regions and polar research important to all people on earth? It is anticipated that the Museum’s proposed programme of events will offer the general public a forum to consider and discuss both historic and contemporary encounters with the polar regions and contemporary environmental and social issues in the polar regions. The aim of the project is to provide a deeper understanding of the polar regions and promote current polar research.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Project manager Helen Whiteoak will include the data management policy into all initial discussions with speakers and gain their consent to allow their talks to be preserved, archived and made freely available. The talks will be videoed and available from the Museum’s film archives. Soundbites will be added to the website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for the project will be from the Museum’s adult learning provision. The talks will also be charged events to cover all costs.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The proposed list of speakers is to be confirmed. We are in the process of approaching the names mentioned.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms Helen Whiteoak
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NF
UK

Tel: 020 8312 6595
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation