Svalbard is a globally crucial hub for science, serving as a natural laboratory for Arctic and global research. Its unique high-latitude location, accessible infrastructure and position at the heart of Arctic climate change make it an indispensable site for studying atmospheric science, earth observation and global food security.

In this podcast Mark has a conversation with Marine Scientist Dr Laura Hobbs whilst their expedition boat the SH Vega is moored in Longyearbyen. Laura is a lecturer in Arctic Marine Science at The Scottish Association for Marine Science, and mostly focuses on understanding zooplankton distribution and behaviour as a function of the environment in which they live, with a particular focus on light. Laura explains what she has been doing up on Svalbard on this particular journey, describes her work at the International research base at Ny Alesund and has some sage advice for aspiring marine biologists.

Find out more about Mark and his passion for exploring with purpose

Tales from High Latitudes is produced in partnership with Adventurous Audio

Sound effects used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

Stein Ø. Nilsen, XC379429. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/379429.

Lars Edenius, XC790006. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/790006.

Join adventurer Mark Evans on an exploration with purpose to the planet's high latitudes.

Tales from High Latitudes is a collection of captivating stories from explorers, scientists and those who live and work at high latitudes. The series aims to spark curiosity and deepen public interest in the polar regions, and their unique environments, cultures and challenges.

From 49 day camel crossings of the world’s largest sand desert to 24 day, parachute assisted crossings of the Greenland icecap; from leading BBC-featured expeditions to uninhabited islands in the Canadian High Arctic to spending two years leading expeditions and overwintering with dogs while conducting research on Svalbard for some of Norway’s and the UK’s leading academic and scientific institutions, Mark Evans has spent much of his life living on the edge of human tolerance.

This gives him a unique perspective on life and living at the world's high latitudes, so come and join Mark.....whatever latitude you are at.

Find out more about Mark and his passion for exploring with purpose

Tales from High Latitudes is produced in partnership with Adventurous Audio

Sound effects used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

Stein Ø. Nilsen, XC379429. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/379429.

Jacob Lotz, XC428867. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/428867.

Lars Edenius, XC790006. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/790006.

Jarek Matusiak, XC671025. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/671025.

steve, XC875609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/875609.