iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Time to print my Antarctic Seals from Space thesis! I think I can officially call myself Dr Gill? Thank you to my supervisors @ptfretwell.bsky.social and Gareth Rees, and examiners @luishuckstadt.bsky.social and Neil Arnold! @bas.ac.uk @wwf.org.uk

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Wahoo! Time to begin devising @polarimpact.bsky.social Arctic Training Programme, which aims to widen participation in polar research by providing students fieldwork experience. Ty to National Geographic, Royal Geographical Society and the team of Polar Explorers who are helping make this a reality.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Returned from an eventful week in Oslo for #scar2026, where I presented a talk on Changing Worldviews via Storytelling & a Seals from Space poster. Felt fitting to wrap up my PhD w/ both my supervisors around & in the country where I first experienced polar fieldwork with @ukarcticoffice.bsky.social

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Science Magazine @science.org · 28/05/2026

Researchers have identified superparamagnetic macrophages in the livers of rock pigeons to be crucial for magnetic sensing. The finding uncovers an unexpected role for immune cells in sensory perception and may fundamentally change our understanding of animal navigation. scim.ag/4nTQ3nq

How animals sense Earth’s magnetic field is one of biology’s enduring mysteries. Researchers have now identified superparamagnetic macrophages in the livers of rock pigeons (Columba livia) to be crucial for magnetic sensing. The finding uncovers an unexpected role for immune cells in sensory perception and may fundamentally change our understanding of animal navigation.

Photo: Andreas Teichmann/laif/Redux

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Found out a poster of me has been put in the hallways of my undergrad uni, Cardiff. Diolch to @drmikepj.bsky.social for the pic and letting me know! #phd #academia

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I’ve just been asked one of the most important questions of my entire PhD. What colour should l bind my hardbound thesis in? Cambridge Blue (a light spring green, #85B09A) is a popular choice with my supervisor’s past students. I need the public's opinion! All colours are on the table. #phd

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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 26/05/2026

So, Reading University recorded 33.1°C today, which beats the previous all-UK May daily record. Kew Gardens says, “hold my beer”, recording 35.1°C. For the same weather patterns, these temperatures would have been low-30s in a past climate. Burning fossil fuels has made these heatwaves hotter.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Happy 100th Sir David Attenborough! While I haven’t met Sir David in person, I was asked to work on his Frozen Planet II series while a PhD student. Making sure the scripts and stories Attenborough would be narrating were all scientifically sound was an exciting and surreal undertaking.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

I’m now certified to drive powerboats in Antarctica as part of my seal scientist duties! Ty to Andrew Simpson Foundation for training me up so well. The money the foundation earns goes back into their mission of providing young people, regardless of background, access to water based sports/hobbies!

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Ariel Waldman @arielwaldman.com · 13/04/2026

Have you watched LIFE UNEARTHED yet!? Binge the first 2 episodes on the PBS app, Apple TV or Amazon in the U.S. and Canada. Outside the U.S. or Canada? Catch the first episode of LIFE UNEARTHED right here: youtu.be/XFXHwz8PgcY?... Come for the tardigrades, stay for the epic views. 🧪🦠

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Visited the National Physical Laboratory to present the results of my thesis & new work on using radar to detect Antarctic seals with the German Aerospace Centre (@dlr-de.bsky.social). Ended up winning the award for best presentation. Thanks to RSPsoc for hosting! #phd #academia #antarctica

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Passed my viva and (pending minor corrections) am a “Dr of Seals”! Thanks to my supervisors @ptfretwell.bsky.social and Gareth Rees for guiding me to this stage. #academia #phd #cambridge @bas.ac.uk @scottpolar.bsky.social @ukri.org @wwf.org.uk

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Hammed Akande @drhammed.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

What would a 'Foundation Model' for ecology look like? In our new preprint, we explore this emerging idea & outline a roadmap for foundation models in Ecology (ecoFMs)👇 Really great working with @rachelparkinson.bsky.social @hcerbone.bsky.social @polarprem.bsky.social et al doi.org/10.32942/X2V...

doi.org

Towards ecologically meaningful foundation models

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British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 18/03/2026

Bluesky, we need your help to count walrus! 🦭 Previously on "Walrus from Space", volunteers like you sifted through around 500,000 satellite images to support our conservation research. Now we're asking the you to help us count the walrus in those images 👀 ➡️ geohive.vantor.com/walrus/login

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Copernicus ECMWF @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Discover how wildfire monitoring data from #CopernicusAtmosphere and ERA5 climate data from #CopernicusClimate underpin key findings in the Arctic Climate Change Update 2024 published by AMAP. The assessment shows the region has warmed about three times faster than the global average since 1979. ⬇️

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Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 04/02/2026

#Arctic air temperature rank by month over the satellite era - now updated through January 2026... + Ranks: 1=warmest (red), 47/48=coldest (blue) + Download higher resolution: zacklabe.com/arctic-tempe...

Heat map-style graphic showing monthly air temperature rankings in the Arctic at the 925 hPa level for each month from January 1979 to January 2026. There is a long-term warming trend evident in each month. Blue shading is shown for colder months, and red shading is shown for warmer months. A yellow number is shown for each grid box to display the actual temperature ranking. January 2026 was the 2nd warmest January on record.

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Royal Society of Biology @rsb.org.uk · 27/01/2026

Calling all RSB members - don't forget to sign up for this week's member-exclusive webinar, 'Seals from Space', exploring the cutting-edge methods being used to study Antarctic ice seals. 📆 Thursday 29 January, 16:00 - 17:00, online Find out more and book your place: my.rsb.org.uk/item.php?eve...

An aerial view of seals on a floating ice floe. Text says Exclusive member lecture, seals from space: with Prem Gill, Thursday 29 January, 16:00-17:00, online

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

“The researchers used drones carrying sterile petri dishes to capture droplets from the exhaled breath of whales…they confirmed for the first time that a potentially deadly whale virus, known as cetacean morbillivirus, is circulating above the Arctic Circle.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Drones detect deadly virus in Arctic whales' breath

Whale breath collected by drones is giving clues to the health of wild humpbacks and other whales.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Was searching for details of a panel I was on regarding the use of AI in science and wildlife storytelling, and found myself mentioned in a blogpost covering the topic. It feels so odd to see yourself written about but luckily it was all nice! #phd #academia

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Copernicus ECMWF @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

❄ November 2025: Arctic sea ice extent ranked second-lowest for November in the 47-year satellite record at 12% below average. Antarctic extent was the fourth-lowest for the month, 7% below average. Find out more ⬇️

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Prof William Ripple @williamripple.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

In our Climate Report my coauthors and I say: We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet's vital signs are flashing red. Consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer future threats but are here now. Read report here doi.org/10.1093/bios...

doi.org

The 2025 state of the climate report: a planet on the brink

We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet's vital signs are flashing red. The consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

PhD thesis submitted. Thank you to all the people who helped me get to this stage and those who kept me going through the final stretch. @bas.ac.uk @wwf.org.uk #cambridgeuni

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 06/11/2025

The Caspian Seal is the Caspian Sea’s only marine mammal. Each year adults head north to gather on ice and pup, molt on northern islands, then disperse to central & southern basins. Slow-reproducing and commercially exploited, they are listed under CMS Appendices I & II: www.cms.int/sites/defaul...

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British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 29/09/2025

In three days, our iconic red planes will take off from Canada to make the epic journey across the world to Antarctica. These flights mark the start of a new polar science season. BUT ALSO that means there's three days left to send your name to Antarctica with us! tickettoantarctica.com

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Prof Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

I’m on vacation walking in the Dolomites. Today I hiked near the Marmolada glacier - what was once a vast mass of ice is now streaked with bare rock and thinning fast. Just looked it up: the glacier has retreated ~7 m in the past year alone Climate change in action… www.unipd.it/news/campagn...

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British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 18/09/2025

🗺️NEW: BAS Map Catalogue is live! Explore Antarctica and the Arctic through our collection of professional maps. Perfect for educators, adventurers, and polar enthusiasts. Many available on open licence for free download. #PolarMaps #Antarctica

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cira-csu.bsky.social @cira-csu.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Cumulus clouds spin around a broad area of high pressure over Texas today.

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Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 17/09/2025

Sea surface temperatures are warming across the entire periphery of the #Arctic Ocean in September. This is especially observed in areas with long-term declines in sea ice concentration, such around the Chukchi and Kara Seas. Data from NOAA OISSTv2.1. For more info arctic.noaa.gov/report-card/...

Polar stereographic map of sea surface temperature trends for Septembers from 1979 to 2024. Red shading is shown for warming trends, and blue shading is shown for cooling trends. All areas of the ocean are observing warming.

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Copernicus ECMWF @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

❄ August 2025: Arctic sea ice extent 12% below the 1991–2020 average for the month, ranking 8th-lowest on record. Antarctic sea ice extent ranked 3rd-lowest for August. More in the #C3S Climate Bulletin 👉 climate.copernicus.eu/sea-ice-cove...

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Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 23/06/2025

🚨 Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data) • about 350,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,010,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 1,590,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,150,000 km² below the 1980s mean More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...

Line graph time series of 2025's daily Arctic sea ice extent compared to decadal averages from the 1980s to the 2010s. The decadal averages are shown with different colored lines with purple for the 1980s, blue for the 1990s, green for the 2000s, and white for the 2010s. Thin white lines are also shown for each year from 2000 to 2024. 2025 is shown with a thick gold line. There is a long-term decreasing trend in ice extent for every day of the year shown on this graph between May and August by looking at the decadal average line positions.

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Prof Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

We have 3 years before we burn through the carbon budget for 1.5°C World leaders promised action in 2015. Since then: 🔥 Record fossil fuel use 🌲 More deforestation 📈 Rising emissions This isn’t a lack of solutions. It’s a lack of will. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Three years left to limit warming to 1.5C, top scientists warn - BBC News

The Earth could be doomed to breach a key climate target in as little as three years, scientists warn.

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British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 10/06/2025

Breaking news: it appears Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica are declining faster than predicted. Latest satellite data shows a massive 22% drop in penguin numbers over the last 15 years in key regions. This is more than double the rate of loss that experts had expected... 🧵 1/8

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NERC Arctic Office @ukarcticoffice.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Hello! 👋 We're thrilled to launch our new Bluesky account and can't wait to share all things Arctic with you! Watch this space for all our latest news, stories, opportunities and events!

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

This week I had my penultimate council meeting as a Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society. I’ve had an incredible time helping guide the society and trying to make geography for all. My role on the Expeditions and Fieldwork committee is now up for election.

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Prof Michael Meredith 🌊🧪🥼❄️ @oceanandice.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Sea ice in the Arctic and around Antarctica cool our climate, drive ocean circulation across the planet, and provide a unique habitat for polar ecosystems. Sea ice amounts have now fallen to their lowest since we started measuring them. This is not good. 🌊🥼❄️🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

World's sea-ice falls to record low

The world's frozen oceans keep the planet cool, but they currently have less ice than ever recorded before.

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Peter T Fretwell @ptfretwell.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Really proud to have some of our Wildlife from Space projects featured in the AGE OF AI exhibition at Bletchley Park.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Calling all my Polar Pals. A friend from Cornwall stumbled upon this photo of elephant seals that she found on the ground in while taking out the rubbish. I’m wondering if anyone can ID the location? I want to say it’s South Georgia but I’m not sure.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Yesss bruv. I’ve just successfully used a high performance computer (!!!) to run an AI model to detect seals from space 🫨🫨. It now takes half the time! My coding and tech skills have just levelled up and I’m feeling proud! #student #phd #AI #academia #conservation

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

You know what, it may not be perfect but the fact I’ve got an AI model detecting Antarctic seals from satellite images is pretty good considering it’s my 1st time coding in Python. Being able to apply AI to a real world problem for conservation feels great. #phd #AI #academia #conservation

A satellite image of sea ice and Antarctic seals. Green and blue squares are on the image showing where humans and an AI model have labelled seals respectively.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

1 degrees Celsius. I’ve been told that’s Jupiter above the crescent moon. Arctic winds bring us the most beautiful skies. #UK #arctic #weather #sky

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Cheffing up a jackfruit biriyani, thyme and rosemary roast potatoes, cumin, honey and garam masala roasted carrots, a cheddar mushroom and spinach pie and an orange zest, hazelnut and date cake with the sis. 2nd pic is mint leaves from the garden about to get pounded intk chutney #christmas

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

It’s a Christmas miracle. I think I’ve somehow managed to make an AI system that counts Antarctic seals from space #phd #academia #deeplearning #AI

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Passed through our little museum on the last work day before I clock off for the Christmas break. I keep forgetting that the earliest emperor penguin egg ever recovered is on the floor beneath my desk. #cambridge #Antarctica #penguins #christmas

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

3 hrs of discussion & debate with fellow trustees of the Royal Geographical Society done! As the only student in a room full of academics & industry experts the imposter syndrome usually makes me reserved. But at this meeting I said F it and made some suggestions that were received well! 1/2

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Attending a great talk as a student and going up to the researcher at the end to tell him it how sick it was only to be met with “I’ve been wanting to meet you for ages!” is the academic equivalent of greeting the mandem with the perfect echo inducing dap. An excellent day for sure.

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Polar Prem 🦭(Prem Gill) @polarprem.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Asked Siri to create a reminder to update my food journal and I now get a daily reminder to update my feud journal which is honestly a better use of my time

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