QRA is the Quaternary Research Association interested in the last 2.6 million years of the Earth’s history- the “Ice Age”, the organisation has a vast and thriving membership of researchers involved in Quaternary research (QRA homepage). Esther Githumbi attended the 20th postgraduate symposium held at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge. The symposium was a platform for post graduates in any stage of their careers to present their research in a relaxed and friendly environment as described by the organizers. Starting with a tour of the British Antarctic Survey on Wed 2nd September the participants toured the ecosystems and evolutionary research aquarium facilities, the marine geology and ice core laboratories followed by an icebreaker event in The Sedgwick Museum giving the participants a chance to meet and greet before the symposium.
The symposium running from the 2nd-4th of September had 5 sessions: Programme QRA-2015
- Ice cores/Antarctica.
- Ocean Circulation.
- Palaeoclimatic Reconstructions (UK).
- Palaeoclimatic Reconstructions (Eurasia/Northern hemisphere quaternary).
- Palaeoclimatic reconstructions of equatorial regions.
The keynote speakers:
- Robert Mulvaney – “Ice core evidence of climate change and deglaciation in the Weddell Sea region”.
- Babette Hoogakker – “Determining past ocean oxygen concentration: an example from the North Atlantic”.
- Lucy Gonzalez – “Funding opportunities: The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and how to get at it”.
This was an interesting and informative event introducing the post graduate researchers to the different research projects that their peers are involved in which was a valuable networking experience and could provide possible opportunities for collaboration. ( Abstract Booklet)
Thank you to:
- QRA
- QRA 2015 organising team
- Keynote Speakers.
- Symposium Participants.