Instruments of scientific governance? Historical geographies of Halley Bay, 1956-present

The International Geophysical Year (IGY), 1957-58, was a key moment in the development of international science diplomacy, as well as in the establishment of scientific governance in Antarctica. During the IGY, the Royal Society undertook an expedition to Halley Bay on the Brunt Ice Shelf. The base was founded on 6 January 1956, in preparation for research and observations in atmospheric science, glaciology, geology and geographical survey. The base, or one of its successor structures, was operated continually ever since until earlier in 2017, when overwintering at the site was considered too dangerous due to a growing crack on the ice sheet. Scientific evidence gathered from 1956 onwards underpins many of the claims made about our changing global climate, and was important in the discovery of the ozone hole in 1984.The field station at Halley Bay has been enrolled in a wide network of British and international institutions and
actors. However, it has never been subjected to historical investigation. This PhD will investigate these issues, branching across history of science and cultural geography.