There was a time when science in Antarctica was king. The frozen continent was still the big unknown and almost any information, a measurement, an observation, a collection of samples was seen as new, exciting and accepted as a potentially valuable contribution to scientific knowledge. Words like ‘exploration’ and ‘survey’ could be uttered without shame in polite company and even in the presence of assessors. We all knew that national presences in Antarctica were predicated by political motives, but all Antarctic programmes were nevertheless promoted on the basis of their contribution to the scientific exploration of our planet. And so it has continued, until now.