Brief Description

The Arctic Research Group is a small, independent research charity, dedicated to environmental research and introducing new young scientists to important scientific work in the High Arctic. Formed in 1988 by Ian Frearson, the ARG has undertaken nine successful research expeditions to Svalbard including deploying an unique system devised and developed within the Group to measure ice movement on surging glaciers linked to climate change. The Group has taken a variety of researchers on their expeditions with at least one young person on each trip. The Group partners with and shares all its findings with the major Institutions including Scott Polar Research Institute, Norsk Polarinstitutt and a whole variety of Universities from UNIS (University in Svalbard) and Imperial College in the UK as well as International groups in other countries. We believe the Group is unique in that all its members are volunteers and help it operate as an autonomous organisation.

Vision & Mission

To advance knowledge about the High Arctic environment through scientific research into all its aspects and the dissemination of the useful results for the benefit of the public. We hope that, with the continued operation of the Group activities we may positively play an active and meaningful role in helping preserve this fragile environment that plays such an important role in earth temperature control. To stimulate future research expeditions by encouraging and taking along new young scientists on expeditions and introducing them to the rigours of field research in this hostile environment. For example we have undertaken work related to climate change in the High Arctic and on the dangers to wildlife from seaborne plastic pollution.  In the case of the latter the Group has collaborated with two other international organisations. The Group has also incorporated members from the University of Svalbard on expeditions

Aims & Activities

The main aims of the Group have always been to continue to undertake further research long into the future, building on experience and data collected since 1988, in order to improve our understanding of environmental changes to areas of the High Arctic.  This will be done through recorded scientific research projects in a number of inter-related disciplines so that a more comprehensive overview of the areas visited will be available both to scientific bodies and the general public alike.  The way this may be secured is through looking for and recording signs of change over long periods, by observing and recording glacial developments, local geology and the changes to areas of vegetated ground as ice retreat makes more land available, through observing pollution, particularly sea borne plastics and their detrimental effects on wildlife, together with the increased effects of anthropogenic activity in the region.

Facts & Figures

                            We undertake multidisciplinary scientific research expeditions to the High Arctic. We carry out useful research on the Arctic environment including, for example, seaborne plastic pollution, the effects of climate change on plant life, soils and glaciers and of coal pollution on tundra. The ARG specialises in encouraging young scientists to work on these and other Arctic environmental projects by offering them places on our expeditions. All our results are made widely available to specialists in the relevant field, to educational establishments and to the general public. The ARG  also liaises with specialist organisations such as the Arctic Club , Scott Polar Research Institute and similar to co-ordinate research potential and value.
                            

                            It helps scientists, helps those hoping to be able to carry out work in the High Arctic, new young scientists wishing to learn the rudiments of research life in fragile and hostile environments, the host nation and, in many cases everyone globally, as the issues affect us all.
                            

Awards

Award for small expeditions by Rolex in 1990

Grant by mount Everest Foundation in 1993

Expedition Grant by Gino Watkins Memorial Trust in 2017