Professor Liz Morris, glaciologist

Available for over a year

Professor Liz Morris is a glaciologist whose work in some of the earth’s most inhospitable environments has broadened humanity’s understanding of climate change and polar science. Her accolades include the prestigious Polar Medal and an OBE for services to Polar Science. Liz was born in London in 1946 and family legend has it that she fell in love with snow and ice the following year during what was known as the Big Freeze - one of the most severe and punishing winters in British history. She studied physics at Bristol University and applied for a role at the British Antarctic Survey in the early Seventies. At that time the institute did not have any female scientists working in the field and her application was rejected. Liz bided her time and eventually did get to work at the BAS, becoming head of the Ice and Climate Division in 1986. The following year she became the first British woman to undertake tent-based research in Antarctica, arriving just as the ozone hole discovery was breaking. Liz completed her last field trip in 2014. In 2020 the Antarctic Place-Names Committee named a glacier in her honour. Liz divides her time between the Cotswolds and Scotland. DISC ONE: Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 \"Pastoral\": V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto (Recorded 1976) performed by Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Herbert von Karajan DISC TWO: Swing Low Sweet Chariot - Paul Robeson DISC THREE: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2: Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV 878. Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach and performed by Glenn Gould DISC FOUR: Calon Lân - The Treorchy Male Choir DISC FIVE: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 5: Duet. "He Shall Feed His Flock". Composed by George Frideric Handel and performed by Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by David Willcocks, James Bowman (Counter Tenor) Robert Tear (Tenor) DISC SIX: Ol’ 55 - Tom Waits DISC SEVEN: Gracias a la Vida - Roy Bailey DISC EIGHT: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro. Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and performed by Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, directed by David Zinman BOOK CHOICE: The Yale Edition of the Works of Samuel Johnson LUXURY ITEM: Mountain boots CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Ol’ 55 - Tom Waits Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Paula McGinley