A Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic researcher has won a prestigious leadership award named in the honour of the late Sir Peter Blake.

Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Associate Professor Nancy Bertler. Photo: Brendon O’Hagan

2016 Blake Leader Award winner Associate Professor Nancy Bertler has been recognised for her major contribution to exploring climate change in Antarctica and being a role model for young researchers, especially women.

The internationally respected ice core scientist is jointly appointed by the Antarctic Research Centre and GNS Science.

“The award is a huge honour,” she says. “It’s extremely humbling considering the calibre of previous awardees, their awe inspiring achievements and their dedication. I’m excited to have the opportunity to get to know many of them and to be challenged to stretch further in the spirit of the award.”

Blake Leader Awards are given to six New Zealanders in the middle of their careers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and the determination to achieve extraordinary things. The 2016 awards were presented by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Nancy manages the National Ice Core Research Facility at GNS Science—one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world—and leads Antarctic field deployments for ice core research. She is chief scientist for the Roosevelt Island Climate Evolution (RICE) project, where she initiated the collaboration of nine nations to examine a 763 metre deep ice core from the Ross Sea Region. Now she is developing a fourteen-nation exploration of West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier region, which is responding dramatically to climate change.

The greatest achievement in her career is giving to the next generation of scientists the type of opportunities that were given to her, she says.

She credits her success to support from former director of the Antarctic Research Centre director Professor Peter Barrett, current director Professor Timothy Naish, former GNS Science chief executive Professor Alex Malahoff, as well as colleagues and collaborators nationally and internationally.

Science and science communication are important, says Associate Professor Bertler.

“Science is one of the most exciting and important career paths there is. Every healthy society needs a vibrant scientific community, and every scientific community needs passionate, smart people asking important questions and developing useful solutions.

“The first time I went to Antarctica I felt a little like Alice in Wonderland. I feel hugely privileged to work in such an important place."

“Antarctica is critical to humanity as it drives key aspects of future climate change and provides unique insight into understanding climate change. One of the most challenging effects of climate change for New Zealand is the future increase in sea level driven by the shrinking ice sheets of Antarctica.”

Professor Mike Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Architecture and Design at Victoria University, says Associate Professor Bertler’s award is an outstanding achievement.

“Nancy is a driving figure within the University as well as in the community, establishing a climate change course at Victoria and helping New Zealanders understand the consequences of a warming world. She’s a fantastic mentor for students and her colleagues.”

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