Executive Summary: Digital & Polar Laboratory

Abstract

The University of Cape Town is establishing a new Digital and Polar Laboratory to support research in technology-enhanced infrastructure and polar science. The lab will use digital tools like sensors, virtual reality, and big data to understand the impacts of climate change on African cities and the Antarctic environment. It will also serve as a hub for education, skills development, and innovation. The polar component of the lab forms part of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) initiative, supported by the Department of Science and Innovation, and will house Africa’s first glaciology laboratory capable of sub-zero experiments.