INSPIRING

Craig Mathieson. The Polar Academy: Inspiration through Education

Scottish explorer and 2026 Polar Medal recipient Craig Mathieson has always had an affinity with the outdoors and began his career in the military, gaining experience in both hot and cold environments. He participated in the first dedicated Scottish expedition to the South Pole in 2004. In 2006, he successfully trained and accompanied a 15 year old boy to the Geographical North Pole.

In 2013 The Polar Academy was established with the specific intention of helping teenagers who were struggling, and for those who believe they are not capable of achieving in life and feel ‘invisible’ in the school system. Some of these kids have felt suicidal and some have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. Craig now makes it his mission to show each and every one of them that they are truly incredible by training them to complete a winter Arctic expedition. 

Beyond the Front Line: A Photographer’s Journey from Iraq to Mongolia

Claire Thomas is an award-winning Welsh photojournalist, fine art photographer, and writer whose work explores culture, conflict, and the natural world.

Claire traces her journey from the front lines of the war against ISIS in Iraq to the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, where she has spent more than six years documenting the lives of Kazakh eagle hunters and semi-nomadic herding families.
Combining adventure, exploration, and visual storytelling, the presentation offers a personal reflection on what it means to return to the same place year after year in search of deeper understanding, and how time can become a photographer’s most valuable tool.