Summer School on the Modeling of Arctic Climate
International Arctic Research Center
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
July 14-25, 2003
Applications should be sent as early as possible, but no later than 15
March 2003
Coordinators:
John Walsh
Vladimir Alexeev
Background: Arctic climate is the result of a complex interplay between
the atmosphere, the ocean, sea ice and a terrestrial component in which
freezing and thawing are critical to variations over a range of
timescales. In view of the delicate balances between these components
and their poorly documented sensitivities, it is not surprising that
global climate models show the largest disagreement among themselves,
and also the strongest greenhouse-induced changes, in the polar regions.
Since changes in the Arctic may well have global implications, it is
essential that Arctic climate simulations be enhanced in order to reduce
the uncertainties in projections of climate change.
Scientific Program: The two-week summer school will bring together
graduate students and young scientists, on the one hand, and specialists
in Arctic climate and climate modeling, on the other hand, in order to
convey to a new generation of scientists the opportunities and
challenges of Arctic climate modeling. Specifically, young scientists
will gain
1) perspectives on the key issues in Arctic climate from an
observational, diagnostic and modeling perspectives,
2) exposure to the types of models used in addressing Arctic climate and
climate change,
3) hands-on experience in the analysis of climate model output or in
climate model experimentation at a level consistent with the students'
expertise.
The summer school will consist of background lectures in the mornings,
and mini-projects and informal discussions in the afternoons. The
mini-projects will be performed in collaboration with faculty members or
lecturers, and will utilize existing databases and available models.
Students will have access to personal computers and workstations for
their mini-projects, on which they will give short presentations at the
end of the two-week period.
Key topics to be covered in the lectures include, but are not limited to:
- Arctic climate: key characteristics and processes
- feedbacks in the Arctic system (e.g., surface albedo, clouds, water
vapor, circulation)
- Arctic climate variations: past, ongoing and projected
- energy balance and single-column models applied to the Arctic
- global climate models: an overview
- modeling of the sea ice and the Arctic Ocean
- modeling of frozen soil regimes, especially permafrost
- Arctic ecosystems and climate change
- trace gases, aerosols and chemistry: importance for climate changes
Lecturers:
Visiting lecturers include
S. Manabe (Princeton University)
V. Kattsov (Main Geophysical Observatory, St. Petersburg, Russia)
R. Bates (Danish Center for Earth System Science, Copenhagen)
C. Bitz (Polar Science Center, University of Washington)
S. Vavrus (University of Wisconsin, Madison)
Lecturers from the University of Alaska include
Vladimir Alexeev
Nicole Molders
Uma Bhatt
F. S. Chapin
Igor Polyakov
Vladimir Romanovsky
Support: IARC will provide support for travel (economy-class airfare),
on-campus lodging and meals through its funding from the National
Science Foundation. IARC will also provide the facilities for the
lectures, discussions and computer-based activities that comprise the
program.
Application for participation and support: Graduate students and young
scientists in relevant fields are encouraged to apply for participation
in the summer school. Advanced undergraduate students with strong
qualifications will also be considered. Applications should be sent as
early as possible, but no later than March 15, to:
Prof. Vladimir Alexeev
International Arctic Research Center
University of Alaska
930 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Email: valexeev [at] iarc.uaf.edu
(Electronic submissions are encouraged)
Decisions about admission and financial support will be made by March
31, 2003 for applications received by March 15. Late applications will
be considered at a later time depending on availability. Applicants
should submit the following:
- Statement of interest (1 page)
- A short resume, including academic background
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor