You might not expect a debate over colonialism to involve a continent with no human population—but that’s exactly what’s happening at Cambridge University.
The renowned institution has ignited discussion by labeling historic Antarctic expeditions as acts “in the colonial mould,” even though the only locals around at the time were penguins.
Penguins, Ice, and… Colonialism?
Cambridge’s Polar Museum, which houses over 5,000 artifacts from famed polar explorers like Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton, has introduced new signage as part of a broader initiative called the “Power and Memory” project.
This university-wide effort aims to confront and explore Cambridge’s historical links to colonialism, empire, and slavery.
One of the most eyebrow-raising additions?
A sign in the museum now suggests that expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century followed a colonial blueprint—even though the region had no indigenous people to conquer.
What the Signs Actually Say
The museum’s signage asks visitors to consider: “The colonised Antarctic?”
It explains that as knowledge of the continent was limited at the time, expeditions to claim land, map the terrain, scout for natural resources, and even send postage stamps were acts that mirrored colonial behavior—despite the absence of a native population.
One label admits: “The only difference was that there was not an indigenous population in Antarctica.”
Yet, the implication is that these actions—planting flags, asserting ownership, and naming territories—fit the broader pattern of colonial practices.
Redefining Colonialism: A Broader Lens?
This reinterpretation leans on academic definitions that stretch beyond the typical “conquering people” narrative.
The Oxford Dictionary of Human Geography, for example, defines colonialism as control over a territory and its peoples—though some critics argue this definition gets tricky when there are no people involved.
The university’s stance aligns with a wider move in academic circles to reexamine exploration and expansion through a more critical, post-colonial lens.
Hidden Histories and New Perspectives
Cambridge’s Polar Museum isn’t stopping at Antarctica.
As part of its mission to unearth lesser-known narratives, the museum has also started highlighting the unequal power dynamics during meetings between early explorers and indigenous communities in the Arctic.
Displays now note that colonial explorers often held all the power in those interactions.
Another exhibit spotlights the overlooked contributions of Black researchers and explorers in polar studies—stories that have traditionally been left out of the spotlight.
The University-Wide Colonial Reckoning
The “Power and Memory” project is just one part of Cambridge’s larger reckoning with its past.
Across town at the Fitzwilliam Museum, another exhibit called “Rise Up” explores the history of slavery and its abolition. But that, too, has stirred controversy.
In particular, critics have taken issue with the exhibition’s suggestion that famed physicist Stephen Hawking somehow benefited from slavery-related funds funneled into the university centuries before his birth.
Some historians have pushed back, accusing museum officials of stretching the facts to fit a narrative.
A Polarizing Discussion—Literally
Unsurprisingly, the idea of calling Antarctic exploration “colonial” has divided opinion.
Supporters say it encourages visitors to think more deeply about history, power, and the often-overlooked impacts of exploration. Detractors argue it’s an academic overreach to assign colonial motives to voyages where no indigenous people were even involved.
Whether you see it as historical justice or a revisionist reach, Cambridge’s reexamination of its polar artifacts is sparking plenty of conversation.
And perhaps that’s the point.