Durham Strengthens Antarctic, Space Research Ties

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Durham University professors have visited Australia and New Zealand to forge stronger research partnerships in Antarctic science and space technology, aiming to tackle global challenges.

Durham University is deepening its research collaborations with Australia and New Zealand, focusing on Antarctic science and space technology, according to a Mirage News report dated April 1, 2025. Professors Mike Bentley and James Osborn, leading experts in their fields, recently met with counterparts at institutions like the University of Western Australia and The Australian National University (ANU) to advance joint projects. Bentley, a polar geoscientist from Durham’s Department of Geography, and Osborn, Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), also visited Monash University, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Auckland to strengthen ties.

The partnerships emphasize Antarctic research and space applications. Bentley, honored with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Antarctic science contributions, collaborates with the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, a program funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC). His work informs satellite measurements of ice loss, critical for predicting sea-level changes. Meanwhile, Osborn’s team contributes to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory, an international project building the world’s largest radio telescope in Western Australia and South Africa. These efforts align with Durham’s commitment to addressing global challenges through rigorous, independent research.

In New Zealand, Osborn engaged with government and industry leaders in Wellington, capitalizing on the country’s growing space sector and its associate membership in Horizon Europe. Durham’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) has also influenced New Zealand’s volcanic eruption response policies through research on ash fall impacts, showcasing practical outcomes of these collaborations.

The visits underscore Durham’s strategic focus on sustainable space exploration and environmental research. Through the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU), Durham partners with the University of Western Australia and the University of Otago, fostering innovation in satellite technology and climate research. These efforts, supported by Durham’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI), include developing laser-based satellite communications for a 2025 CubeSat mission, funded by £4.98 million from the UK Space Agency (UKSA). As global demand for sustainable solutions grows, these partnerships position Durham and its Australasian allies at the forefront of scientific discovery.