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Participation in UNIS course AG-325 Glaciology 2025

Lay summary

Description of the programme

The Glaciology course at UNIS in Svalbard used the unique setting of Svalbard mountains to explore Arctic glacier dynamics in the context of climate change. A major highlight was the combination of lectures with a lot of fieldwork days. We focused a on developing the skills to employ the field techniques ourselves- including radar, firn coring and hydrological measurements.  I really appreciated the mix of Phd and master students, that made for great discussion and very fun field work days.

How did you benefit from the programme?

We mostly focused on the Arctic environment, which is quite different from what we usually study here in the Alps and something we otherwise don’t get the chance to learn about. The course taught me how to adapt to a harsh and remote setting, including all the planning and logistics required for field campaigns. What I’ll take with me for my future career is especially the inspiration I got from meeting and talking to so many motivated young scientists.

What were the highlights of the training?

The highlight was a great day of fieldwork doing GPR measurements on Drønbreen, which ended with a stunning sunset drive back. We tested a new GPR configuration that gave really promising results, which was exciting from both a technical and learning perspective. Another memorable moment was visiting the surging glacier Paulabreen—as a “Paula” myself, that was a fun coincidence! We also spotted polar bear tracks in the glacier forefield during that final excursion, which made the experience even more unforgettable.

Would you recommend the programme to other students?

I would recommend the programme to anyone interested in glaciers, fieldwork, and who also enjoys skiing! What makes the course so unique is how specific it is to the Arctic environment you're working in, combined with a strong research focus. The course is mostly suitable for advanced and Phd students, with a strong interest in research. Longyearbyen takes some getting used to but being there was one of the most memorable and impactful experiences of my life.

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