Long before a scientific question becomes a funded project, an international field campaign or a policy discussion, it often begins as part of a horizon scan.
Over the past decade, horizon scanning has become one of the most influential tools used by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to identify the questions that matter most for the future of Antarctic and Southern Ocean science. Rather than focusing on immediate research needs, horizon scans look ahead, bringing together scientists, policymakers and other experts to consider which knowledge gaps are likely to be most important in the years and decades ahead. SCAR’s best-known effort was the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan completed in 2014. That international exercise gathered hundreds of research questions from across the global Antarctic community before narrowing them down to 80 priority questions. The final list was grouped into six broad themes, including climate and atmospheric processes, ice-sheet stability, Antarctic history, biological adaptation, astronomy and space science, and the impacts of human activities.
The influence of that work extended far beyond the publication of a report. Many subsequent SCAR programmes and international collaborations have drawn on the priorities identified during the 2014 process. Research initiatives examining Antarctic climate variability, ice-sheet thresholds, conservation challenges and Southern Ocean ecosystems all trace part of their strategic direction back to the horizon scan findings.
The value of horizon scanning is that it helps a diverse international community coordinate effort and resources. In a region where logistics are costly and research opportunities can be limited, agreement on priorities can help avoid duplication and encourage collaboration across national programmes.
That approach is now being applied to a more specialised field. SCARFISH, SCAR’s Action Group on Fish, has launched a new Horizon Scan focused on Southern Ocean fish research. The initiative aims to identify the most significant scientific questions and emerging threats affecting fish species and ecosystems in Antarctic waters.
The process will involve two rounds of community consultation, beginning with a questionnaire that asks participants to identify key research priorities and challenges. Responses will be reviewed by experts and used to build a ranked list of future research needs. Researchers and other interested participants have until 30 September 2026 to contribute to the first survey.
If the past is any guide, the results may help shape Southern Ocean fish research for many years to come.