Ian Frearson
Founder
Ian established the Arctic Research Group in 1988 after taking part in three previous Arctic expeditions. Ian has participated in eleven successful scientific research expeditions to Alaska and Svalbard (eight of these as leader). Ian has worked extensively on various aspects of glaciation, predominantly those in, or affected by, surge where daily movement of the ice can be measured in metres.
Additional field work has included exploration on foot, in and around research areas, across ice caps, supporting soil acidification and geological projects.
Ian spent some years as Section Leader in Mountain Rescue, is a competent mountaineer and climber, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Arctic Club. In Alaska Ian climbed several unnamed peaks in the Chugach range.
Throughout his activities in the Arctic, Ian has been passionate about safety as the first priority and thus providing the opportunity for others to explore, to challenge themselves and to succeed. Ian has focussed the activities of the Arctic Research Group to work with early career scientists, and always on a variety of projects, so that the expeditions deliver as much research as possible. Ian took the almost impossible decision to step back from leading the Group and going on further expeditions North at the beginning of 2020, and implemented the succession plan by having Steve Staley take on the role as Group Leader. Ian continues to be involved in background support of Steve and the rest of the Members.
