Douglas Mawson in the desert The famed Antarctic explorer’s journeys through Australia. Outback track at Arkaroola, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Credit: John White Photos / Getty Images. Today, 5 May, is the birthday of Sir Douglas Mawson, the Australian geologist best known for his Antarctic explorations. He undertook multiple expeditions to the frozen south, including leading the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–14, which was not just geared towards exploration but also scientific research. But Mawson’s long career wasn’t entirely focused on the polar regions. Cosmos chatted to Mark Pharoah, Senior Collections Manager at the South Australian Museum, to find out what we know about Mawson’s research closer to home.