Aurora Expeditions has recruited renowned scientist, Dr Paul Willis to join its Antarctica cruise next year to share his knowledge of the region’s fossil-rich islands.

Dr Willis, also the director of the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), will join the line’s 20-day ‘In Shackelton’s Footsteps’ voyage to Antarctica and South Georgia departing 11 March 2014 on board the Polar Pioneer.

He will give lectures and recount the historic journey polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. He will also inform passengers of the vast tabular icebergs and the ancient Antarctic landscape.

Aurora Expeditions chief executive Lisa Bolton said: “RiAus is a renowned charitable institution and Aurora Expeditions is pleased to be working with the organisation and Dr Willis to help extend knowledge and educate our passengers on the scientific values of the places we visit.”

The agreement with Dr Willis was made as part of a new partnership with Aurora and RiAus. The partnership is designed to assist RiAus in its mission to engage people in discovering more science.