As a terrific conclusion to the UKPN Career Skills Workshop series, the Cryospheric Sciences Workshop took place 4-6 November at the University of Sheffield and was organized by Nanna Karlsson (Hull, BAS), Allen Pope (SPRI), and Jen Hall (Sheffield). Over 40 PhD and Masters students and 18 presenters and mentors came together to discuss the Cryospheric Sciences. Participants hailed from all over the UK and countries including Canada, Portugal, Poland, France, and Germany.
The keynote talk on a career in science was delivered by Prof. Liz Morris, OBE (SPRI). Technical sessions included Glacial Remote Sensing, Mass Balance Studies, Snow Science, Ice Core Studies, and Sedimentology, development talks were given on Data Management (Dr. Nathan Cunningham, BAS) and graduate resources (Dr. Vicky Willett, Vitae), panel discussions were held on the subjects of Career Development, Paper Publishing (Magnús Magnússon, IGS), and Grant Writing, and Dr. Ian Rutt (Swansea) taught a practical on computer ice sheet modelling. In addition, and entire afternoon session was dedicated to Education and Outreach concerning the Polar regions including talks by Alex Gaffikin (Natural History Museum) and Liz Pasteur (International Polar Foundation).
All workshop participants were requested to present a poster of their recent or projected research. Over a reception and a conference dinner, this research sparked valuable conversations and productive discussions between workshop attendees. Congratulations go to first prize winner Aisling Dolan (Leeds) and runners up Martin O’Leary (SPRI) and Heather Channon (QMUL).
In sum, the workshop was a huge success. Even before all of the sessions, talks, posters, and discussion, there were almost 100 applications for spots at the event. Due to such an overwhelming response, the UKPN is hoping to be able to run similar events in the future.
We would like to take the opportunity to thanks all of the participants and presenters who made this event as enjoyable as it was. Particular recognition must go to our sponsors – the Natural Environment Research Council, International Polar Year International Programme Office, the Royal Astronomical Society, the University of Sheffield, the International Glaciological Society, The Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society, the British Antarctic Survey, and the Scott Polar Research Institute - for making this event financially possible.
Photos provided by the workshop organizers.
