The Glaciological Research Sub-Committee of the British Glaciological Society has recently completed its first year of activity. The following is an extract from the first annual report tendered by the Sub-Committee to the Committee of the British Glaciological Society:
The Glaciological Research Sub-Committee was constituted by the Committee of the British Glaciological Society on 2 December 1955. The members of the Sub-Committee appointed were: The Chairman of the Committee of the B.G.S. (ex officio), J. W. Glen, G. de Q. Robin, C. W. M. Swithinbank, W. H. Ward. The Sub-Committee was given the following terms of reference and constitution:
Constitution of Sub-Committee. The members shall be elected by the main Committee and be five in number. They shall serve for one year, but may be re-elected. The Sub-Committee may co-opt members for any period not greater than one year. Three members form a quorum. Administrative expenses shall be paid by the Society. The Sub-Committee may reply to requests for advice in glaciological research without reference to the main Committee, but shall seek the approval of the main Committee before initiating research. The Sub-Committee shall not have power to give the name of the Society to research or an expedition.
Terms of Reference. To encourage and advise on glaciological research and to report annually to the main Committee.
On 11th October 1956 J. F. Nye was co-opted to the Sub-Committee.
Work of the Sub-Committee
The Sub-Committee has held four meetings and has dealt with many requests by correspondence. As the majority of such requests come from small expeditions, primarily composed of undergraduates or junior graduates, it was felt that a short series of notes on the general type of glaciological work that should be done by expeditions would be useful, and would avoid unnecessary duplication in letters to enquirers. With these aims in mind, the Sub-Committee has prepared a duplicated document entitled “Measurements required on a glacier in an area which is unknown and unmapped.” This is referred to as “Technical Note No. 1.” The Sub-Committee has also made progress with a second note entitled “Measurements required on a glacier in a known area, e.g. the Alps.” Further notes are contemplated.
Requests for Advice
Requests for advice have been received from ten expeditions visiting Norway, Kashmir, Iceland, Africa and Antarctica. Most of these enquirers have been supplied with a copy of Technical Note No. 1, and with other, more particular, advice.
Publication of Results
The Sub-Committee has also received enquiries concerning the most desirable form of publication of the results of small expeditions. It is felt that many expeditions have results which, while they do not merit the expense of full printed publication, may be of great value, not least to subsequent expeditions visiting the area. It is proposed that the British Glaciological Society should express its willingness to house any duplicated reports that may be prepared, and to publish a short statement of the existence of such data. If expeditions can afford to duplicate a stock of copies, the Society might also undertake to announce the availability of these to those interested. All expeditions should be encouraged to prepare such a report, and to send copies to the Society and also to an organisation in the country in which the work is done.
The annual report from which the above are extracts was received and approved by the Committee of the British Glaciological Society earlier this year. A new Committee has beenappointed, consisting of the Chairman of the B.G.S. (W. V. Lewis), R. J. Adie, J. W. Glen, J. F. Nye, and W. H. Ward. The Sub-Committee will be pleased to receive requests for advice from members, which should be addressed either to any member of the Sub-Committee personally, or to the Secretary of the British Glaciological. Society, c/o Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge. Expeditions wishing to deposit duplicated reports of their activities should send them to the Secretary at the above address.
