Cold Steel: celebrating 100 years of Sheffield expeditions to Arctic Svalbard
A Centenary Event for the University of Sheffield´s Geography Department
All Welcome!
Svalbard is the most accessible part of the European High Arctic, and a strong favourite for many modern science and tourist excursions to this fragile environment. However, its wilderness image hides an industrial past, when coal and other resources supported an era of exploitation in a period of rapidly changing climate. The city of Sheffield and its university were significantly involved in this era, establishing coal mining activities in an environment that bore the full brunt of climate change during the 1900s. The University Geography Department´s first Head witnessed the industrial decline that resulted, whilst also conducting scientific research in collaboration with William Spiers Bruce, a notable polar explorer at the time. Since researchers from the Geography Department have remained active in Svalbard, it is able to celebrate its centenary by reflecting upon perhaps the most significant period of Arctic climate change that has been witnessed by scientists. This event therefore captures this period in two ways, first by describing the interlinked history of exploration, exploitation and science upon Svalbard, and second by focusing upon the most visible aspect of environmental change to occur there: the response of its glaciers. We therefore hope that this overview will be of wide interest to the public, and welcome visitors on the evening of the 30th October to RGS Headquarters. After a brief introduction, two 30 minute presentations and a poster session will showcase past, present and future work upon this fascinating icy archipelago.
Programme
1) Introduction and overview (Professor Grant Bigg)
2) Svalbard: 100 years of exploration, exploitation and science (Dr. Monica Kristensen Solas)
3) Glacial response to Arctic climate change in Svalbard (Dr Andy Hodson)
Details:
Please come to RGS HQ before 1700 on October 30th. There will be a reception in the Map Room where you will be able to view a poster display of modern research in the Arctic. Talks will commence at1700 in the Ondaatje Theatre and you will be able to meet and discuss the Arctic with the speakers and Sheffield University Geographers back in the reception area afterwards.
Directions:
Directions to the Royal Geographical Society Head Quarters are here:
http://www.rgs.org/AboutUs/Visiting+the+Society/Visiting+the+Society.htm
