The PAGE21 project has now been officially closed. The four years of research came to an end on October 31 2015, leaving only...
PAGE21 project was featured in a plenary session "Permafrost in the 21st century" at the 2015 Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavik,...
PAGE21 Researcher Profile: Sarah Chadburn
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 03 October 2013 13:45
This time we have a pleasure to introduce one of PAGE21 modelers, Sarah Chadburn who has recently become part of PAGE21 project.
Name:Sarah Chadburn
Institution:
University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Nationality:
British
British
Research Field:
My research at the moment is in improving the representation of permafrost in the JULES land surface model, and predicting the effect of carbon release from permafrost thaw on the future climate. I am a physicist in origin and only recently came to climate science.
My research at the moment is in improving the representation of permafrost in the JULES land surface model, and predicting the effect of carbon release from permafrost thaw on the future climate. I am a physicist in origin and only recently came to climate science.
What parts of your research will be a direct input to PAGE21?
My work will contribute to work packages 6 and 7, improving the modelling of permafrost (WP6) and making predictions of future climate using the improved model (WP7).
My work will contribute to work packages 6 and 7, improving the modelling of permafrost (WP6) and making predictions of future climate using the improved model (WP7).
What is the current challenge within this topic?
One of the main challenges is to get more observations in permafrost regions, so we can evaluate the models better and reduce the uncertainly of predictions. For me personally, I think the biggest challenge will be the soil hydrology. Including processes like thermokarst in the model would also be a huge challenge (if attempted!).
One of the main challenges is to get more observations in permafrost regions, so we can evaluate the models better and reduce the uncertainly of predictions. For me personally, I think the biggest challenge will be the soil hydrology. Including processes like thermokarst in the model would also be a huge challenge (if attempted!).
How did it happen that you became a researcher?
To be honest I have always wanted to do research. And when I first tried it (in my final year of university) I loved it. Since then I have worked towards becoming one!
To be honest I have always wanted to do research. And when I first tried it (in my final year of university) I loved it. Since then I have worked towards becoming one!
Why do you like being the researcher?
It may sound obvious, but I love solving problems that no one has solved before! I also love being able to control what I do and follow my nose if I want to, and being challenged every day in my work, and always learning new things. Also the friendly atmosphere and collaboration.
It may sound obvious, but I love solving problems that no one has solved before! I also love being able to control what I do and follow my nose if I want to, and being challenged every day in my work, and always learning new things. Also the friendly atmosphere and collaboration.
What do you like most in being a researcher?
Basically all of it.
Basically all of it.
How a typical working day looks like?
From the outside, quite dull, as I mainly sit at my desk. But I am thinking about interesting things... Sometimes discussing things with other researchers.
From the outside, quite dull, as I mainly sit at my desk. But I am thinking about interesting things... Sometimes discussing things with other researchers.
What are the challenges for modelers?
I think I will find out over the next few years...
Funniest response ever when you told somebody that you are a "polar researcher"?
I have never told anyone this! I usually mention permafrost. Some people haven't heard of it, and one woman appeared to know what it was but she was clearly thinking of something else- not sure what though.
What are your plans for the upcoming three / five years?
To make JULES more awesome, get some interesting results and publish some papers.
Most interesting experience / occurrence so far in your career?
My career in climate science has been only 2 months so far. I think visiting the met office is a pretty interesting experience though! I can't wait to visit Abisko in September. What are the challenges in the cooperation with the field people? I have met one so far and he seemed quite easy to cooperate with! Usual response when you tell somebody that you are researcher in the field of modeling? "You must be very brainy."
Written by Sarah Chadburn
Photos from GA 2013 are now available
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 02 October 2013 13:59
The 2nd PAGE21 General Assembly that took place in Abisko, northern Sweden 23rd-24th of September 2013 was full of engaging speakers and lively discussion.
Photos from the General Assembly and accompanying side events are now available for view and digital download in PAGE21 on-line gallery.
In case of any questions, please contact Magdalena Tomasik at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Action plan is being decided
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 24 September 2013 08:18
After very intense day yesterday, participants of PAGE21 General Assembly have gathered in the Old Theater conference hall at the Abisko Research Station to decide project´s next steps.
Summaries of yesterday´s work package meetings had been presented before scientists and administrative representatives decided to take actions for every of them.
Most time and attention were given to the development of permafrost database which is to be launched in the middle of next year.
PAGE21 permafrost database aims to become the highest rated electronic cigarette universal on line service for collecting and sharing high quality data on permafrost in the Arctic Region. Final product will be addressed to current and future researchers who work in the Arctic to collect, register and store their data.
Discussion on project´s principles will continue until 3 p.m. After that, conference participants will attend the excursion to the Arctic mire.
General Assembly will be officially closed this evening during the celebration dinner at the Abisko Mountain Lounge.
PAGE21 General Assembly has now started
- Details
- Created on Monday, 23 September 2013 09:09
Today, Monday the 23rd of September, participants of PAGE21 General Assembly have been officially welcomed in Abisko Research Station.
The opening session was held by Margarieta Johansson who described general features of conference venue.
Financial management, reporting, communication and outreach strategies have been presented by Leena – Kaisa Viitanen, representative from Alfred Wagener Institute in Germany and Magdalena Tomasik from project´s Icelandic partner – Arctic Portal.
Jean – Pierre Lanckman and Boris Biskaborn presented principles of earth system science and permafrost database that will be launched in March 2014.
Permafrost scientists and administrative representatives will cooperate on development of the project during the next two days.
Young researchers meet in Abisko
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 22 September 2013 14:03
Today, Sunday the 22nd of September, permafrost young researchers gathered in Abisko during the 2nd Page21 General Assembly Young Researchers workshop.
Scientists are being part of PAGE21 project which is is a Large-scale integrating collaborative project under the ENV call topic "Vulnerability of Arctic permafrost to climate change and implications for global GHG emissions and future climate" (ENV.2011.1.1.3-1) coordinated by Professor Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten from AWI.
Young researchers discussed several topics to include protocols and data management, general challenges in permafrost research as well as cooperation with Page21´s Canadian partner – ADAPT.
Presentation on project communication and outreach strategies was given to inform about great success of this summer´s blogs that were written by young researchers during their work in the Arctic field sites.
Blog have received over 10 000 entries during few months and the number is still growing.
Arctic Portal who is hosting PAGE21 website and administrating Work Package 1: ´´Communication and Outreach´´ decided to keep on with blogs project to bring even more awareness to important permafrost research.
At the beginning of next month both partners will also start new series of Young Researchers Profiles in order to bring more recognition to scientists committed to the project.
After indoor part of the workshop, group of scientists attended field exercises.
Young scientists will attend PAGE21 General Assembly that starts tomorrow and lasts until Tuesday.