Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Sea Ice Summer School 2007  (ISIS)

Outline
Owing to both the active role of sea ice in the Earth s climate system and to its rather rapid response to possible climatic changes there has been very active sea-ice related research during the last years. Both to reflect these recent developments in sea ice research and to assist with the outreach program of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007 we plan to hold an "International Summer School on Sea Ice" at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, Norway for two weeks in July/August 2007. Its objectives will be to - increase the knowledge of sea ice related geophysics among both students and scientists, - faciliate interdisciplinary research and stimulate international cooperation among students and scientists - gather the findings of the last very active years of research for a broad audience. We will invite world-leading experts on a wide range of sea-ice related subjects, including air-ice-sea interactions, physics of turbulent boundary layers, remote sensing, physics of solidification, biology within sea ice, numerical modelling and climate change. The summer school will be similar to the 1994 summer school "Physics of Ice Covered Seas", which was organised by Matti Lepparanta. We expect roughly 60 students from all over the world to take part in the school. Analogue to the 1994 summer school the lectures will be summarised and published in a textbook. The summer school will be aimed at students at graduate level (PhD) in geophysics/mathematics conducting research in sea-ice related subjects. In addition to regular lectures, the summer school will give opportunity for participants to present and discuss own work, by posters and oral presentations. The unique position of UNIS in the high Arctic makes it very well suited for this scientific, educational and social event, which we believe may be a great inspiration for young researchers during years to come.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Increasing the knowledge of sea ice related geophysics among both students and scientists - faciliating interdisciplinary research and stimulate international cooperation among students and scientists - gathering the findings of the last very active years of research for a broad audience.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Both the lecturers and the students will come from a number of different countries all over the world.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No field activity

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
The summer school will mainly be organised by Karolina Widell (Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Norway and University Centre in Svalbard, Norway) and by Dirk Notz (Institute for Theoretical Geophysics, DAMTP, University of Cambridge, UK). The scientific program of the school will be developed in cooperation with leading international scientists actively working in the relevant fields. Infrastructure and logistic support will be provided by the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The summer school itself has as its main target education, outreach and communication.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The summer school will partly be funded by the participating students. Additional funding will be applied for from national (e.g., Norwegian, German, British and American) and European Union funding agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The summer school will form a part of the education/outreach program of the Norwegian CARE (Climate of the Arctic and its Role for Europe) initiative (seperate Letter of Intent).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Peter M Haugan
Geophysical Institute
University of Bergen
Alleg 70, Bergen
5007
Norway

Tel: +47-55582678
Mobile: no
Fax: +47-55589883
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation