Participation in Ice Core Analysis Techniques (ICAT) PhD School 2023
Paul Scherrer Institut - PSI
Lay summary
Description of the programme
The Ice Core Analysis Techniques (ICAT) PhD School is a one-week, intensive training program consisting of a series of lectures from international speakers in addition to lecturers from the University of Copenhagen on the subject of ice core analyses for climate research. The ICAT also creates an environment for collaborations among ice core researchers, particularly PhD students new to the field.
How did you benefit from the programme?
The program offered information I can directly apply to my PhD project investigating alpine ice cores. I learned about different applications for dating ice with laboratory exercises I can perform on my own data. I also learned about the history of ice core research, and the broad differences between polar deep drilling projects and our work at mid- and low-latitude high-elevation glaciers. As well, I established relationships with other PhD students working all over the world, and I look forward to future collaborations on projects or simply reconnecting at conferences.
What were the highlights of the training?
A friend of my grandfather, Bill Vest (87 years old), was involved in the initial ice core drilling project in the 1960s at Camp Century, Greenland. He contacted me recently to find out whether researchers were still studying these original cores. Three students I met at ICAT are indeed studying the sediment cores from this initial campaign. We were able to put Bill and the PI of the ongoing project in contact, and they talked for hours about Camp Century. Initiating this contact for Bill was certainly a personal highlight of the ICAT PhD School.
Would you recommend the programme to other students?
I would absolutely recommend this program to other students. If you are a PhD student in ice core research, this week of lectures will be highly beneficial for your project, and it is a great environment to network with others in the cryosphere community. I especially encourage you to participate at an early stage in your PhD if possible. Be prepared for an intense week with an immense amount of information. It can feel overwhelming, but it will be worth it!
Details
| Regional focus | High-altitude |
| Location | Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen |
| Funded amount | 1,150 CHF |
| Project dates | 18th September 2023 – 22nd September 2023 |
| Category | Field and Summer Schools |