See also: Earlier news | News from the Scott Polar Research Institute
# Collaboration between women helps close the gender gap in ice core science
28th November, 2023
A Perspective article co-written by Dr Matt Osman and colleagues in Nature Geoscience addresses gender disparities in ice core science.
Despite historical underrepresentation, the study reveals that the gender gap is closing. Since the early 2000s, women have outperformed their estimated proportion in publishing first-authored papers, suggesting that they fill important leadership roles on coauthor teams. Crucially, woman-led studies show a 20% higher proportion of women coauthors compared to man-led studies.
The analysis emphasizes the critical role of collaboration between women, especially senior scientists, in narrowing gender gaps within the field.
# Recognition for Geography colleagues
24th November, 2023
Congratulations to two of our Geography colleagues, who have been shortlisted for awards within the University's Professional Services Recognition Scheme. Sophie Barnett has been shortlisted within the "Creating an Inclusive Community" category, and Adam Strange for "Demonstrating Excellence in Management and Leadership".
The shortlisting, amid nominations from across the University, recognises their dedicated hard work and contributions to the Department in these areas. The awards ceremony will be held on December 4th.
# Off-Grid Cities stakeholder engagement workshop (South Africa)
21st November, 2023
Geography PhD student, Joanna Watterson, organised and chaired a stakeholder engagement workshop in South Africa to share the findings from the Off Grid Cities project along with Prof Charlotte Lemanski. The event was held at the University of the Western Cape, to which local government, businesses, academics, NGOs, researchers and civil society were invited to discuss the interim findings of the Off Grid Cities project.
This research explores how parivate household and business investments in off-grid and hybrid technology are changing urban electricity and water systems in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
# Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, visits SPRI to give Research Seminar
21st November, 2023
Natan Obed is the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. He was first elected in 2015 and was acclaimed to his third consecutive term in 2021. He grew up in Nain, the northernmost community of Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). He graduated from Tufts University in 2001.
President Obed is the national spokesperson for Inuit in Canada and also serves as Vice-President of Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada. As ITK President, he implements the direction set out by Inuit Leadership from the four regions of Inuit Nunangat — the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.
President Obed will meet with colleagues to discuss Arctic research and collections. The visit is supported by the ERC Arctic Cultures project, and is part of the HCEP cluster's Research Seminar Series. The lecture, "Unpacking Colonial Ties: Self-determination in Inuit Nunangat, Canada", is in the SPRI Lecture Theatre, 16.15, Tuesday 21 November 2023.
# Charlotte Lemanski speaks at Photovoice Sanitation workshop in South Africa
19th November, 2023
Prof Charlotte Lemanski was invited to talk about her concept of Infrastructural Citizenship at the Sanitation through the lens workshop and Photovoice exhibition organised by PUG at the University of the Western Cape (South Africa) on 16 November 2023. The event brought together academics, policymakers and community members to share the results of research on sanitation in Cape Town's informal settlements.
# Owen Hatherley publishes review essay on Matthew Gandy's work
16th November, 2023
The leading architectural critic Owen Hatherley has just published a review essay "Wild City" in response to Matthew Gandy's book Natura Urbana: Ecological Constellations in Urban Space. Hatherley elaborates on the many facets to "unplanned nature" as part of his wider engagement with Matthew's work on Berlin, Lagos, London, New York, and other cities.
# Postgraduate Open Day Q&A sessions
2nd November, 2023
Join us live at the next online Q&A sessions to find out more about our postgraduate courses:
- MPhil in Anthropocene Studies and Holocene Climates (6 Nov)
- MPhil in Conservation Leadership (6 Nov)
- PhD programme (7 Nov)
# New Assistant Professor in Natural Hazards
26th October, 2023
We are very pleased to announce that Dr Maximilian Van Wyk de Vries has been appointed as Assistant Professor in Natural Hazards, a joint position between the Departments of Geography and Earth Sciences. His research uses remotely sense, ground-based and model datasets to investigate a range of geohazards in glaciated landscapes. Dr de Vries will take up his position in January 2024.
# NERC C-CLEAR environmental science PhD topics
24th October, 2023
The Department of Geography and Scott Polar Research Institute are pleased to be active and successful participants in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Cambridge Climate, Life and Earth (C-CLEAR) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
We are pleased to announce the list of Environmental Science PhD topics for starting in October 2024. We welcome enquires and applications from anyone who is interested.
# Cambridge events commemorate Black History Month 2023
17th October, 2023
Screenings, re-enactments, lectures and panel discussions are taking place across the University and Colleges of Cambridge throughout October 2023, for Black History Month at Cambridge.