Image credit: Antarctic Peninsula, Brown Station - Credit: Ted Gatlin HX
A research and education partnership for Antarctica’s future
HX* and the University of Tasmania (UTAS) have expertise in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and a shared commitment to building knowledge and inspiring stewardship of this remote and awe-inspiring place and the wildlife that calls it home.
In 2021, UTAS and HX signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on research in Antarctica. This will enable tourism to help address the many challenges Antarctica is currently facing – and includes finding ways to minimise the environmental impact of tourism itself.
Along with advancing polar research, this partnership is a first in the tourism industry to provide HX guest education, which aligns with the Antarctic Treaty Parties’ emphasis on education and awareness.
It is a partnership and multidisciplinary approach that is crucial to building awareness of, and effective solutions to, the scientific and social challenges facing Antarctica – now and into the future.
From small beginnings…
Initially, scientists and social scientists joined HX expeditions for the opportunity to observe marine mammals up-close, give guest lectures, and understand if participating in Antarctic citizen science could influence how guests felt about this fragile continent.
This evolved into a vision to build the most extensive science program in the cruise industry, and included an introductory short course for guests developed by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at UTAS.
The course covers science, wildlife, governance, history and responsible tourism, and is available to guests before, during and after their trip.
…to a world of opportunity
Following an overwhelmingly positive response from HX guests, the program was expanded for the 2025/2026 cruise season to include two distinct online learning tiers – the short Introductory Antarctic Course and an accredited longer course, Antarctica: A Journey of Discovery with HX & UTAS.
It was an opportunity for the University and IMAS to combine world-class research with flexible digital delivery for guests.
As the partnership evolves, introductory short courses for other HX destinations will be developed, starting with the Arctic in 2026.
It is a program that offers HX guests the opportunity to pair the experience of visiting Antarctica with scientific knowledge. And the story continues…
Discover more about the HX science and education program
*formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions
