The challenge

This project is building on the successful Cabot Institute sponsored ‘Changing Ice’ workshop that was held at the M-shed in May 2018 to continue to develop the University of Bristol’s capacity for interdisciplinary research on the Earth’s cold places. 

What we're doing

The main goal of this project is to bring Bristol’s leading ice researchers together to create networks and connections that will continue to build the University of Bristol’s capacity for the study of ice from an interdisciplinary perspective. Four meetings were held in 2019 to foster this community and network building within the university, as well as helping everyone to learn about different disciplinary approaches to the study of ice.

A central focus for discussions and the central aim was to present an accessible introduction to the study of ice and cold regions from the following disciplinary perspectives:

1) Humanities approaches to the study of ice
2) Biological Science approaches to the study of ice
3) Social Science and Legal approaches to the study of ice
4) Physical Science approaches to the study of ice

How it helps

This has been a great opportunity for an interdisciplinary team of historians, human geographers and scientists to build its internal ice research networks. The group will work collaboratively with environmental managers to incorporate insights from the humanities and social sciences into the environmental management of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, and will include writing historically informed policy briefs for the region. 

Investigators

• Adrian Howkins (Historical Studies)
• Martyn Tranter (Geographical Sciences)