Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Advanced logistics course for Arctic researchers and logistics personnel  (Advanced logistics course for Arctic researchers and logistics personnel)

Outline
The proposed activity aims to give a course in logistics and safety for course holders, scientist, students and logistics personnel that will be responsible for supervising groups or doing performing field work in the Arctic. The course will cover the full Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) area, but will also bring in aspects from areas as: logistics, project planning, leadership, history and cultural aspects. The concept of modern logistics involves far more then earlier and the goal is to make efficient logistics equal to an environmentally friendly and safe activity. The course will also focus on the cooperation between scientists and technical / logistical personnel in order to get the most out of all technical, scientific and computer equipment.The course will divide in to these main topics: ·Project planning ·Risk analyses and risk management (SHE) ·Safety equipment ·Safety training ·Transportation by snowmobiles, tracked vehicles, helicopter, boat / ships and more. ·Field camp planning and administration. ·Crucial logistical equipment like; heaters, generators, drilling equipment and shelters. ·Crucial scientific equipment like; data loggers and data / electrical equipment. ·Challenges from the wildlife in the arctic. ·Special challenges regarding cultural and environmental aspects. The course is aimed to last for 2 weeks in March 2007 and will be held at UNIS (University Centre on Svalbard) in Longyearbyen, Norway. The course will include a high degree of practical training. In order to set up the curriculum for the course a preparatory workshop is planned to be held in Longyearbyen in 2006. The workshop the focus of this workshop will be to bring together researchers and logistics experts with knowledge from doing field research and education in the circumpolar north in order to bring forward topics to be included into the curriculum for the course. Lodging, classrooms and necessary equipment to perform the course will be provided by UNIS.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The aim is to better enable the new generation of polar researchers, engineers and logistics experts to handle the challenges of doing field work in polar regions. Another goal is to make sure that the scientific outcome and results are the parameters that are controlling the planning process and execution in a very complex and challenging field of work.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
At present this is a joint initiative by UNIS and the University of the Arctic, however as the projects moves on we will seek to include relevant experts from member institutions of the University of the Arctic.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/06      03/07      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project will rely fully on the logistical facilities of UNIS and the Science Park in Longyearbyen. The resources utilised is shared with the daily running of UNIS and all projects that has connections with UNIS

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support
Other sources of support

Primarily the project will rely on knowledge and equipment of UNIS. However, there may be a need to seek travel funding for participants from external sources

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has not been submitted to the national committee at the present time

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

The project will draw upon the experiences of UNIS and other members of the University of the Arctic has had in organising research and field education in polar regions

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed and organized by UNIS in cooperation with the Field School office of the University of the Arctic.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project aim to give young and potential new polar researchers and logistics experts insight and training in the logistical aspects of doing field research and education in Arctic regions. Furthermore, it will be possible to use the curriculum developed through the project in future education of researchers and logistics experts in the future.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project does not contain any data collection

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for the project will be sought through Norwegian funding for the University of the Arctic Field School program

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Depending on future funding we hope that the course will be permanent offering for UArctic members, also in the years to come after the IPY

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Fred S Hansen
Pb. 156


Longyearbyen
9171
Norway

Tel: +4779023340
Mobile: no
Fax: +4779023301
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation