The Exploration Board considers proposals for student expeditions, and administers funds to assist with expedition costs. The Exploration Board was set up in 1955 to consider proposals for expeditions submitted by Imperial students, and to administer funds given by the university, Imperial College Union and other sources to assist with the cost of these expeditions. 

The Board meets twice a year (see Dates of meetings) to consider proposals submitted to it. Decisions to recognise expeditions as official Imperial ventures are usually made at a meeting held in the autumn term. In many cases recognition carries with it a grant towards the cost (see Sources of funding)  and most expeditions also receive support in the form of money or equipment from other sources. A variety of equipment is held for loan to approved expeditions.

Expeditions provide excellent opportunities to gain experience in organisation and living and working with other people, and when considering proposals the Board takes this, as well as the scientific value, into account. On the whole, the Board aims to support projects that reach a balance between straightforward scientific research and an adventurous holiday.

Imperial expeditions have spanned the globe over the past 70 years and a large archive of expedition reports and photographs is maintained. 

About accordion

Officers of the board

Chairman
Dr Lorraine Craig
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching)
Faculty of Engineering
t: +44 (0)20 7594 6436
e: l.craig@imperial.ac.uk

Secretary
Dr Phil Power
Director of the Education Office and Head of Strategic Projects
Education Office
e: philip.power@imperial.ac.uk

Treasurer
Mr Chris Green
Finance
t: +44 (0)20 7594 8712
e: c.green@imperial.ac.uk

Equipment Officer
Mr Ciarán McKeown
t: +44 (0)20 7589 5111 ext 55393
e: c.mckeown@imperial.ac.uk

Current board membership
Position Member
Chair appointed by Provost Dr Lorraine Craig (Faculty of Engineering)
Senior Staff Member Chris Banks (Director of Library Services)

Three members of the academic staff

Prof Vincent Savolainen (Life Sciences)
Prof Mark Wilson (Medicine)
Dr Philippa Mason (Earth Science & Engineering)

One student representative each from Imperial College Union, and each of the Constituent Unions.

Christian Cooper (ICU)
TBC (RCSU)
TBC (ICSMSU)

TBC (CGCU)

TBC (RSMU)

One representative from each of the Constituent College Associations

Prof Chris Imray (ICSMA)
Colonel Kevin Oliver 
(CGCA)
Vacancy
(RCSA)
Carla Huynh 
(RSMA)

Honorary Treasurer  Chris Green (Finance)
Honorary Equipment Officer Ciarán McKeown (Life Sciences)
Honorary Secretary Dr Phil Power (Education Office)
A representative from the Health Centre Dr Shikha Sashittal

Terms of Reference

  1. To consider proposed expeditions by students, approve those considered suitable and allocate funds.
  2. To review and assist approved expeditions and publicise the results.