The program will be held at the Abisko and Tarfala research stations in Northern Sweden, from 17-27 August 2009. The two-week course will seek to gain a general understanding of the physical components that form the arctic climate system. In addition, focus will be on the interplay between the components and the feedback mechanisms that are believed to play important roles in the variable
arctic climate. Key topics will include:

  • Overview of key components: ocean, land, atmosphere, and cryosphere;
  • Arctic hydrology, snow, and ice;
  • Climate feedback mechanisms, with a focus on arctic climate change; and
  • Arctic climate variations in the records from the past and in future projections.
Teaching will combine overview and in-depth lectures, student projects, and excursions in the sub-arctic alpine environment. A visit at the Tarfala glacier research station is included in the course. The course aims to bring both the participants, and the lecturers from various relevant fields, to the forefront of current arctic climate research.

Applicants should be young scientists at the beginning of their careers, such as PhD students, early post-docs, or similar. The number of participants will be limited for practical and pedagogical reasons.

To apply, please submit (as PDF or Word Documents) a statement of interest, a CV, and a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or other relevant person to Thorsten Mauritsen and Bjorn Gunnarson.

The application deadline is Friday, 6 March 2009. Late submissions will be considered at a later time to the extent that the limitation of the course has not been reached. Decisions on admission to the summer school will be announced on Friday, 20 March 2009.

Participants will pay for airfare and train tickets to Abisko, lodging at the research station, and food. All other costs will be covered. It is likely that stipends will be available for promising students in
special need.

Additional information is available at the Bolin Centre website.

Information about the research stations can be found either here or on this website.