2019 participants
Anna Kalish, Katie Berry, Hannah Cowie, Anya Hawkins and Lucy McAdam
Our expedition to Kangerlussuaq in West Greenland was a successful trip in which we collected data for our dissertations whilst experiencing the field first hand. One team, based on the ice, collected data on the surface melt rates as well as surface ice properties. Another team was based along the ice margin, studying moraines, basal ice debris and the ice-dammed lake. Despite encountering some challenges in terms of our research and expedition logistics, we were able to overcome these which strengthened us as a team and also as individuals. Whilst in Greenland, we had the pleasure of assisting researchers from Nottingham and Loughborough universities in collecting data for paleolimnology and biological oceanography projects. This was a fantastic learning experience and gave us true feel of what more advanced scientific research entailed. Additionally, this year was one of the highest Greenlandic melt rates on record, demonstrating the importance of this research in the context of global climate change. This was featured on Channel 5 news, who interviewed us about our views on the increase in melt and climate change. We are very grateful for the generosity and support of the Newcastle University Expeditions Committee, without which our expedition would not have been possible.
Funding sources: Newcastle University Expeditions Committee, Royal Geographical Society, Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust, Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation and Go Fund Me
Project supervisors: Dr Rachel Carr, Dr Neil Ross and Professor Andy Russell