ATLAS
A transatlantic assessment and deep-water ecosystem-based spatial management plan for Europe
European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
Prof. Murray Roberts, University of Edinburgh
Biological specimens from the deep sea are categorised in the ‘wet lab’. Labrador Sea, 2019.
Lowered from the CCGS Amundsen’s aft, a researcher collects samples from the sea ice below. Labrador Sea, 2019.
2016 - 2020
Leading on from earlier work with Prof. Murray Roberts and his research group, in 2016 Alex began a collaboration with the ATLAS project. For the duration of ATLAS, Alex’s work has been used to promote the fascinating research, to educate younger generations about the importance of the Atlantic, and to engage with the general public through partners such Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Assignments for this work took Alex around the UK, to Mallorca, Greenland and on board the CCGS Amundsen for an expedition along the Davis Strait.
The ATLAS project strives to improve our understanding of complex deep-sea ecosystems and their associated species, including those that are new to science. Researchers are looking to predict future changes to these ecosystems and species together with their vulnerabilities in the face of climate change. As well as carrying out pioneering research and discovery, ATLAS is developing a scientific knowledge base that can inform the development of international policies to ensure deep-sea Atlantic resources are managed effectively.
As of December 2020, ATLAS’ media reach was estimated at 88.3 million people with coverage including BBC (Radio and TV), Sky News, The Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Guardian, ABC News, Deutsche Welle and NPR podcast.
Recovering the ATLAS Lander, CCGS Amundsen, 2019.
Preparing the ‘drop cam’ for deployment: a camera designed to collect imagery of the sea floor. CCGS Amundsen, 2019.
“As the birthplace of deep-sea biology and the cradle of oceanography, the North Atlantic is the place we should know best, but only in the last 20 years have we uncovered how varied and vulnerable its deep-sea habitats really are.”
CALVE
CAlving glaciers: Long-term Validation and Evidence
Leverhulme Trust Project
Prof. Doug Mair, University of Liverpool
Kangiata Nunata Sermia, Greenland, 2016.
Camp, ~100km east of Nuuk, 2016.
2016
In 2016, after a couple of years of planning, Alex travelled to Greenland on assignment with the CALVE project as they studied Kangiata Nunata Sermia glacier, and the nearby fjords in southwestern Greenland. [Read more here: vs.co/cfjqOD] This unique project, involving archaeology, glaciology, and marine biology, aimed to improve our knowledge of how the rate of iceberg production relates to climate change. Collaborating with VSCO, Trakke and 66North, the project involved both documentary and commercial work (both photo and video).
The few weeks in Greenland was spent split between two field teams – terrestrial (on land, downstream of Kangiata Nunata Sermia) and marine (working in and around the fjords in a small, open boat). Alex produced films for the project, and the University of Liverpool, as well as social media content for Trakke (Glasgow) and 66 North (Iceland).
Nuuk, Greenland, 2016.
Nuuk, Greenland, 2016.
“Having worked with Alex on multiple projects, I have been very impressed with his work ethic. He fitted in well with our offshore team and achieved great results while being completely unobtrusive in regards to our operation.
His experience of working in extreme environments was clear during these assignments - professional, efficient and health and safety aware on deck.
The quality of his work is exceptional and will stand us in good stead for our marketing and promotional material for years to come”
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
55m Rockdrill (RD2) Trials
Iain Pheasant
RD2 Sea Trials, NLV Pharos, 2015.
RD2 Deployment, NLV Pharos, 2015.
2015
Alex first began working with the British Geological Survey on an assignment in 2015 where the brief was to document the sea trials of the BGS's flagship rockdrill. Following his two weeks on board the NLV Pharos, operating near Oban, Alex produced a promotional film, two training videos and an archive of PR and marketing material. This content has since been exhibited and published widely, from public events such as NERC UnEarthed at Our Dynamic Earth (Nov 2017) to mainstream media coverage on the BBC. The training videos are now used to brief scientists, crew and BGS staff before all offshore research expeditions, and the stills continue to be used across the BGS website and in the Lyell Centre / George Bruce Building.
RD2 Control Room, RD2 Sea Trials, 2015.
A BGS engineer, prepares himself before undertaking an extremely delicate repair of RD2's umbilical cable. Oban, 2015.
BRITICE-CHRONO
NERC Consortium Project
Prof. Chris Clark, University of Sheffield
RRS James Cook, during mobilisation, with the BGS' 'Vibrocorer' dockside.
The science team jump into action as a fresh core arrives on deck, ready for processing. JC123, RRS James Cook, 2015.
2014
In August 2014, Alex joined the team from the Britice-Chrono NERC consortium research project for leg 2 of their first research cruise. Aiming to gain a clearer understanding of the extent of the last British-Irish ice sheet, this cruise saw them circumnavigate Ireland as they cored the ocean floor in the Celtic and Irish Seas. Spending three weeks on board the RRS James Cook, the assignment was to produce a short film about the project and to document the day-to-day routines of everyone on board.
Prof. Chris Clark, has a quiet moment of contemplation during a tense time for the project. JC123, RRS James Cook, 2015.
In the ship's dark room, Dr Louise Callard analyses the next batch of core samples. JC123, RRS James Cook, 2015.
2015
In July 2015, Alex was invited back to join the Britice-Chrono project on the James Cook. This final marine fieldwork campaign surveyed and sampled material along three main transects in The Minch, Shetland and the North Sea (see map here). The assignment was to document the work of the crew and scientists, to create content for social media and the Britice-Chrono website and to shoot an archive of video footage for future use. This video archive was used by the BBC and STV in 2017.
Interested in seeing how Alex’s work might bring a fresh perspective to your research?
