The UKPN Atmospheric Sciences Workshop, held at the British Antarctic Survey from 29th April - 1st May 2009, was a huge success. Thirty five early career polar researchers from around the world came together to present their own research and listen to talks by senior scientists on their career and on science in the polar regions.
Group discussions on the future of polar research with senior scientists and members of the BAS board of directors gave those who will go on to shape the future of polar research a chance to ask questions of those who have been doing just that for the last few decades. Career development discussion groups with polar scientists at various stages of their career allowed for an informal discussion and an insight into an academic career in polar research.Instrumentation lectures, practical sessions and informal discussions on measurement techniques above the poles provided a broad timetable for those interested in field measurements. A computer modelling practical session, combined with talks on climate, meteorology, extreme weather and the use of statistics, gave some hands-on experience of computer modelling and encouraged a greater understanding of models in use.
The posters presented by the participants were truly outstanding, with congratulations to Ingrid Cnossen (BAS), Roisin Commane (University of Leeds), Jonathan Barichivic (UEA) and Valerie Livina (UEA) for winning prizes.
We would like to thank all the speakers and panellists for helping to make the workshop such a success, and we look forward to seeing you at UKPN workshops, network days and educational events in the future, details of which can be found on the website:
www.polarnetwork.org
We would also like to thank NERC, the British Antarctic Survey, The Royal Meteorological Society, The Royal Society of Chemistry and Grimm Aerosol for supporting the event.
Helen Atkinson and Tom Bracegirdle
Friday, 8 May 2009
Workshop Schedule
Wednesday 29 April
AM Conference Room Chaired by Tom Bracegirdle and Helen Atkinson
10.00 Registration
10.30 Introductions Tom Bracegirdle and Helen Atkinson
10.45 Welcome to BAS Mike Pinnock
11.00 UKPN and the goals of the workshops Nanna Karlsson
11.15 Coffee
11.30 Living and working in Antarctica Stéphane Bauguitte
12.15 Biogeochemical Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling Peter Liss
13.00 Lunch
PM Conference Room Chaired by Jonathan Barichivic
14.00 Statistical modelling in climate science David Stephenson
15.00 Coffee
15.15 A Career in Science Peter Liss
16.00 Poster session and wine reception / buffet sponsored by the Royal Meteorological Society
Thursday 30 April
AM Conference Room Chaired by Roisin Commane
9.30 Talk Nick Owens
9.45 Climate modelling of the polar regions John Turner
10.30 Stratosphere-troposphere interaction in the polar regions Andrew Charlton
11.15 Coffee break
11.45 Data management Helen Campbell
12.00 Group discussion chaired by Ivan Sudakov on the future of polar research.
-Panel of experts to answer questions.
-Aim to lay groundwork for workshop report.
13.00 Lunch
PM Optional sessions
14.30 Room 307 Climate modelling practical and breakout session
14.30 Room 330b Career development group discussion
Evening Workshop dinner
Friday 1 May
AM Conference Room Chaired by Amélie Kirchgaessner
09.30 Ozone measurements at Halley Stéphane Bauguitte
10.15 Severe weather in the Arctic Erik Kolstad
11.00 Coffee break
11.15 Atmospheric measurements above the poles Dwayne Heard
12.15 Why this is necessary and the unique conditions above the poles that makes the study of the atmosphere there so important Helen Atkinson
12.30 A group discussion chaired by Ingrid Cnossen on the above.
13.30 Lunch
PM Optional sessions
14.30 A practical session outdoors setting up an autonomous ozone monitoring station (organised by Stéphane Bauguitte)
14.30 Room 330b Career development group discussion
AM Conference Room Chaired by Tom Bracegirdle and Helen Atkinson
10.00 Registration
10.30 Introductions Tom Bracegirdle and Helen Atkinson
10.45 Welcome to BAS Mike Pinnock
11.00 UKPN and the goals of the workshops Nanna Karlsson
11.15 Coffee
11.30 Living and working in Antarctica Stéphane Bauguitte
12.15 Biogeochemical Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling Peter Liss
13.00 Lunch
PM Conference Room Chaired by Jonathan Barichivic
14.00 Statistical modelling in climate science David Stephenson
15.00 Coffee
15.15 A Career in Science Peter Liss
16.00 Poster session and wine reception / buffet sponsored by the Royal Meteorological Society
Thursday 30 April
AM Conference Room Chaired by Roisin Commane
9.30 Talk Nick Owens
9.45 Climate modelling of the polar regions John Turner
10.30 Stratosphere-troposphere interaction in the polar regions Andrew Charlton
11.15 Coffee break
11.45 Data management Helen Campbell
12.00 Group discussion chaired by Ivan Sudakov on the future of polar research.
-Panel of experts to answer questions.
-Aim to lay groundwork for workshop report.
13.00 Lunch
PM Optional sessions
14.30 Room 307 Climate modelling practical and breakout session
14.30 Room 330b Career development group discussion
Evening Workshop dinner
Friday 1 May
AM Conference Room Chaired by Amélie Kirchgaessner
09.30 Ozone measurements at Halley Stéphane Bauguitte
10.15 Severe weather in the Arctic Erik Kolstad
11.00 Coffee break
11.15 Atmospheric measurements above the poles Dwayne Heard
12.15 Why this is necessary and the unique conditions above the poles that makes the study of the atmosphere there so important Helen Atkinson
12.30 A group discussion chaired by Ingrid Cnossen on the above.
13.30 Lunch
PM Optional sessions
14.30 A practical session outdoors setting up an autonomous ozone monitoring station (organised by Stéphane Bauguitte)
14.30 Room 330b Career development group discussion
Climate modelling practical / breakout session at the Atmospheric Sciences Workshop
The climate modelling practical will be run by Tom Bracegirdle and attended by Andrew Charlton, Erik Kolstad and David B Stephenson. All are experts in various aspects of climate modelling and data analysis.
The session will be built around the analysis of a very simple climate model, which only takes a couple of minutes to run. The theme of the exercise is the sensitivity of the polar regions to changes in key forcing parameters. The plan is for groups of 3 people to work through a series of questions and experiments that are initially basic, but become more open/challenging. Groups are free to devise their own experiments and analyse the results.
At the end of the session each group will present a short (~2 slide) presentation on their most important result(s).
If there is time, we may form breakout groups to come up with recommendations in response to any issues arising during the morning group discussion.
The session will be built around the analysis of a very simple climate model, which only takes a couple of minutes to run. The theme of the exercise is the sensitivity of the polar regions to changes in key forcing parameters. The plan is for groups of 3 people to work through a series of questions and experiments that are initially basic, but become more open/challenging. Groups are free to devise their own experiments and analyse the results.
At the end of the session each group will present a short (~2 slide) presentation on their most important result(s).
If there is time, we may form breakout groups to come up with recommendations in response to any issues arising during the morning group discussion.
Informal Group Discussions at the Atmospheric Sciences Workshop
Discussion Topics
The UK Polar Network Atmospheric Sciences Workshop will include informal discussions between senior scientists and early career polar researchers. Some of the questions we will be debating are below. We are very fortunate to have Nick Owens, the director of BAS, and other members of the BAS board joining us at these discussions, along with the key speakers at the workshop. We hope this will lead to a lively and informed debate on the future of polar research, and the challenges posed by the polar regions, both for those making measurements and those modelling the environment. This is the chance for those who will go on to shape the future of polar research to ask questions of those who've been doing just that for the last few decades!
What is the best way to answer questions pertaining to climate change scepticism in media interviews?
What does the panel think about current climate modelling efforts and how best resources can be allocated i.e is there a need for an international climate modelling group supported by several organizations and funded by many nations.
Are there plans to have another interdisciplinary research initiative in the Arctic after the International Polar Year initiative finishes?
The future of polar sciences - what are the 'hot topics' which are likely to spur research over the coming years?
How do climate models perform in high-latitudes?
The importance of the understanding of mesoscale weather phenomena in enhancing our capabilities in predicting potentially significant climate changes in the polar regions
The UK Polar Network Atmospheric Sciences Workshop will include informal discussions between senior scientists and early career polar researchers. Some of the questions we will be debating are below. We are very fortunate to have Nick Owens, the director of BAS, and other members of the BAS board joining us at these discussions, along with the key speakers at the workshop. We hope this will lead to a lively and informed debate on the future of polar research, and the challenges posed by the polar regions, both for those making measurements and those modelling the environment. This is the chance for those who will go on to shape the future of polar research to ask questions of those who've been doing just that for the last few decades!
What is the best way to answer questions pertaining to climate change scepticism in media interviews?
What does the panel think about current climate modelling efforts and how best resources can be allocated i.e is there a need for an international climate modelling group supported by several organizations and funded by many nations.
Are there plans to have another interdisciplinary research initiative in the Arctic after the International Polar Year initiative finishes?
The future of polar sciences - what are the 'hot topics' which are likely to spur research over the coming years?
How do climate models perform in high-latitudes?
The importance of the understanding of mesoscale weather phenomena in enhancing our capabilities in predicting potentially significant climate changes in the polar regions
Career Development Discussions at the Atmospheric Sciences Workshop
Panel: 2 – 3 senior researchers (workshop invited lecturers and members of the BAS board of directors), plus one post doc and one PhD student
5 min introductions from each of the panellists – where they are now and how they got there.
Open up for questions
· To senior researchers
When you are recruiting for a PhD student or post doc, what qualities are you looking for?
What makes an applicant stand out?
How important is fieldwork experience/ publications / outreach etc?
· To PhD / post doc student
How did you select your PhD / post doc?
Where did you find the information about what projects were available?
When is the best time to start looking for PhDs / post docs?
Questions posed by participants
1.In this troubled economy, how can ‘we’ as early career researchers market ourselves to companies, universities and government agencies that are firing not hiring?
2. Some governments have significantly cut funding to major science agencies which means a reduction in the future for funding opportunities. It appears as though as an 'early career researcher' I might have to look internationally for jobs and opportunities. What would be a smart approach when looking for occupations internationally in the field of polar research?
3. Is it possible to make a significant contribution to science on the time-span of a post-doc position?
5 min introductions from each of the panellists – where they are now and how they got there.
Open up for questions
· To senior researchers
When you are recruiting for a PhD student or post doc, what qualities are you looking for?
What makes an applicant stand out?
How important is fieldwork experience/ publications / outreach etc?
· To PhD / post doc student
How did you select your PhD / post doc?
Where did you find the information about what projects were available?
When is the best time to start looking for PhDs / post docs?
Questions posed by participants
1.In this troubled economy, how can ‘we’ as early career researchers market ourselves to companies, universities and government agencies that are firing not hiring?
2. Some governments have significantly cut funding to major science agencies which means a reduction in the future for funding opportunities. It appears as though as an 'early career researcher' I might have to look internationally for jobs and opportunities. What would be a smart approach when looking for occupations internationally in the field of polar research?
3. Is it possible to make a significant contribution to science on the time-span of a post-doc position?
Instrumentation Practical Session at the Atmospheric Sciences Workshop
Organised by Stephane Bauguitte and Tamsin Gray, this hands-on instrumentation practical session will give the workshop participants chance to find out what it's like to set up an autonomous ozone monitoring station in Antarctica. In remote environments it is often necessary to set up a stand alone, fully autonomous system, where measurements can be made and data can be logged, stored and retrieved without the need for the site to be visited regularly. The following topics will be covered:
Ozone measurements in the Antarctic
Data logging and storage
Logger programming
GPS time fixing
Low power remote power systems including wind, solar and battery
Interfacing
Satellite telemetry capability
Disposable drifting experiments
An engineer will also be on hand to answer questions relating to the unique challenges posed by measurements in the polar regions, and a tour of the meteorological instrumentation we have set up at Cambridge will be given by Steve Colwell.
Ozone measurements in the Antarctic
Data logging and storage
Logger programming
GPS time fixing
Low power remote power systems including wind, solar and battery
Interfacing
Satellite telemetry capability
Disposable drifting experiments
An engineer will also be on hand to answer questions relating to the unique challenges posed by measurements in the polar regions, and a tour of the meteorological instrumentation we have set up at Cambridge will be given by Steve Colwell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
