Scientific Exploration Society (SES) is a British charity dedicated to exploration and conservation of the planet. It was founded in 1969 by Colonel John Blashford-Snell, CBE, and colleagues and since then has engaged in more than 200 expeditions in remote parts of the world.
Many thousands of people have participated in these expeditions, not least those of Operations Drake and Raleigh, supported by the then Prince of Wales, which engaged young people from many countries in life-changing exploration, citizen science, and adventure.
SES today continues its work to promote exploration and to act as a portal to the world of expeditions involved in climate change, environmental protection, and conservation. Its membership is a unique community, including many famous explorers, dedicated to the challenges and satisfactions of exploration. These include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dr Jane Goodall, Rosie Stancer, Pen Hadow, Bear Grylls, Mark Beaumont, Tim Peake, Steve Backshall, Vanessa O’Brien, and Levison Wood.
SES supports and promotes expeditions through funding, mentoring, training, and endorsement. In the process, we offer knowledge, education, and aid to disadvantaged communities in developing countries.
SES has a unique platform and history. By increasing its voice and footprint we plan to make SES even more influential in the world of exploration.
SES sets out to meet its objectives in many ways, including:
- SES membership ... by creating a platform for people to meet like-minded individuals at regular events and go on exciting scientific expeditions and share experiences and knowledge to benefit the world around us.
- SES Explorer Awards programme ... by the grants that are given to young explorers - 'Pioneers with Purpose' - to help those inspirational individuals starting-out in the world of exploration get their expedition careers off the ground and provide them with the necessary expedition funding.
- SES Explorer Awards programme ... by providing expedition mentoring from the world's most inspirational explorers.
- SES Explorer Awards programme ... by disseminating the expedition reports to the widest community helping to raise awareness of issues.
- Exploration Revealed ... by the Society's digital magazine, a hybrid magazine that aims to advance knowledge about, and provide peer-to-peer support for, scientific and adventure-led expeditions.
- SES community ... by providing a portal to the world of exploration through the Society's community and expedition support and mentoring from some of the world's greatest explorers.
