The second UKPN career skills workshop, organised by Dr Claudia Halsband-Lenk (PML) and Angelika Renner (BAS/UEA), took place on the 12-13th October 2009. Kindly hosted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the event saw thirty three early career researchers fomr the UK, Norway, Iceland, France, Greece, and even Ururguay come together at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club for two days of lectures, discussions, and practical workshops centered around Arctic marine Sciences. Fifteen senior scientists and mentors from six institutions and organisations provided their time and offered excellend talks and advice.

After introductions to PML, UKPN and APECS, Dr Warwick Vincent, director of the Centre d'études nordiques (CEN) at Laval University in Québec, presented the keynote lecture about climate change and ecosystem collapse in high Arctic Canada. Other speakers included Dr Cynan Ellis-Evans, who introduced the NERC Arctic Office, Dr Steve Rowland (University of Plymouth), and Mike Kendall (PML), among others. A different view of the changing Arctic environment was presented by Antony Jinman, polar explorer, who introduced his education work with students on Baffin Island. (Check out what Antony wrote about the event!)

The morning talks were followed by break out sessions in the afternoon. In small groups, the early career researchers had the opportunity to discuss topics, such as education and outreach in schools or how to get funded, with the mentors. More hands on sessions included the analysis of a sea ice proxy in Arctic sediments and a tour around PML and the mesocosm experimental facilities.

On Monday evening, the early career researchers were joined by Dr Steve de Mora (CEO of PML), Dr Vincent, Antony Jinman, Dr Simon Belt (University of Plymouth) and other mentors on board the Spirit of Plymouth for a cruise on Plymouth Sound. An excellent opportunity for more in depth conversations and networking amongst the participants and with the mentors! Tuesday evening saw everybody gathering at PML for the poster presentations. Many excellent posters were on display, and congratulations go to Dr Birgit Obermueller for winning the first prize, and Helena Reinardy and Teresa Silva for runner up prizes!

Photos of the workshop are now online in the photo gallery! 

A truly successful event was made possible thanks to the support from many sides. We thank all the speakers and mentors for their help, time and effort, and our sponsors for financial support.

 
    BAS Roberts Money

On September 7^th and 8^th 2009, UK Polar Network volunteers travelled to the University of Surrey in Guildford for the British Science Association Festival of Science. Held every year in a different location, the Festival of Science brings together scientists, science journalists and the general public in a celebration of new technology, discoveries and innovations. As well, the Festival has a Schools Program to encourage school children to take part in science and perhaps think about questions and ideas outside of their normal classroom activities. For the second year running, the UKPN held a schools workshop which naturally focused on the exciting adventure of polar science.

This year, the event was called “Surviving Antarctica: Human Innovation and Endeavour”. Tamsin Gray, of the British Antarctic Survey, kicked everything off with an exciting presentation about how scientists survive in Antarctica. How do we get there? Where do we live and what do we wear? The students particularly enjoyed watching their teachers get dressed up in the Antarctic survival gear – especially when Tamsin asked them to do star jumps to see how quickly they warmed up! Seeing as they were also in a balmy, sunny Guildford, rather than on an Antarctic ice-shelf, it didn’t take long! Then the students were asked to design their own Antarctic ice station. Ingenious ideas flowed, including a moveable ice station powered by kites, ice melting devices and a wealth of designs for wind turbines. Antarctic architects should definitely take note!

Tamsin was also invited to take part in Tuesday’s “X-Change”, a daily round-up event held in the evenings where journalists and members of the public can ask the scientists questions about their work. It was great publicity for the UKPN, and Tamsin did a fantastic job fielding questions about penguins and coping with months of darkness.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped, and to all the school children, who attended and made the event so much fun. The Festival is being held at Aston in 2010, and the UKPN are hoping to attend again, so watch this space!

Kate Hendry, Sept ‘09